C.S. Lewis once observed, “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”

I have found it fascinating and somewhat ironic that in some European countries the government is offering financial incentives for couples to have children. Because the birthrate has fallen so low, the population is not replacing itself, which could lead to an economic crash, among other serious social concerns.

The question begs to be asked, why are couples choosing to not have children? Some say it is because women decide to postpone childbearing to pursue higher education and a career. Others say it is selfishness; the demands children make on finances, time, and energy are “too great” and the benefits or advantages children may bring to their lives “too little.” No doubt, this crisis has arisen because western countries, decades ago, rejected or simply forgot the promises of God concerning the blessing of having children.

Through our children, Greg and I have had the opportunity to see God’s faithfulness in ways that were (though at times painful) oh so very rich with blessing! I won’t deny that sometimes our hearts broke for our children: the high fever that turned into a frightening 10 days in the hospital with viral pneumonia; the unexpected trip to the hospital for stitches on Christopher’s perfect face after a floor length mirror broke, slashing his cheek and nose; the first time Jonathan encountered serious bullying at school; and that unexpected phone call every parent dreads.

How easy it would have been to not have children, not experience the sleepless nights. But then, neither would we have known the great joy of seeing them give their lives to Christ, marry their beautiful brides, have children of their own, or—best of all joys—see them discover the joy of being used by God.

Parenting is challenging; that is no surprise. It always and in every era has been! There are “many dangers, toils, and snares.” The demands require a lifetime of sacrifice in big and small ways. We haven’t lived sinless lives, any more than our children, but we can by God’s grace depend on His strength and patience to see us through.

God asks us parents to be faithful to tend His flock (yes, they are His), and to lovingly tell our children about His great love, revealed in Christ—to tell them about the great rescue plan which was carried out 2000 years ago when Jesus came for mommies and daddies and children, who are fallen and hopeless and yet loved beyond their wildest dreams.

If you are a mother, will you thank God that He has entrusted you with loving a child, and pray that you remain faithful to His call on your life as parent? Will you pray and seek His strength to raise children for His glory? I guarantee, if you are blessed with children, you have the opportunity to understand—in ways you never have—our Heavenly Father’s plan of redeeming love for His children.