JH Mae writes – “No, I don’t have human children, but I’ll wager having a dog is much better”.  In response to JH Mae’s article, Jules writes – “Jamie pets are better than kids where they do not hurt you in any way but show their love and loyalty for the rest of their lives”.

I have had eleven children given to me by the Lord. I am now just getting into the grandpa mode. Words like “much better” and “easier” are words that display our laziness, selfishness, and yes, incompetence. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth when it comes to biblical parenting, nor how to love my wife unconditionally. Also if you are going to have animals as pets, then take care of them. I am not at all for animal abuse, nor am I for child abuse, and yes, I am definitely against abortion. (Don’t worry this is not about abortion).

My position, of course comes from the Bible, seeing I was not raised up in a Christian home, so I have seen the light of the tunnel from both ends. My parents divorced when I was ten, and my family were big time drinkers, including myself. My dad and some of my brothers died drunkards. But this is not about drunkenness and debauchery either! My mother loved my dad and had eight children by him. With the drunkenness, divorce, and fighting that went on, such does not make sense to have so many children. But from my parents and my siblings, I acquired a desire to be married, and have a family. Everyone of my siblings, and including my parents, and step-dad have been divorced, remarried, some at lease three times, so humanly speaking I did not have a chance to see this desire actually work out, if only environmental determinates are considered. By the way, I was thirty-one or so when I got married. By then I thought I was destined to a life of singleness, but God, in His grace had other plans.

Having and raising children for the glory of God is definitely not easy in this anti-god, godless, immorally, self seeking, abandoned to lust type of society. The word “commitment” comes to mind, as to how I would sum up the Biblical position that I hold to. God committed His life to me in redeeming me. So in light of His commitment to me, I have committed by life to my wife, in that she agreed to marry me until “death do us part”. Likewise, I have done the same! Commitment doesn’t run out of love when things get bad. You don’t throw away your marriage because “incompatible differences” arise; you fix them God’s way! It’s that what the older generation did? Co-habitation is like renting, or leasing a used car. A lot of mixing up is needed for a used car, and not many want the expense and hassle. Marriage commitment is a covenant before God, and with His grace and wisdom, we can make it work, as He intended.

When one deeply considers the new born baby before you, and realization starts to set in, that this little one is made in your likeness and image – whether good or bad! If we reduce child bearing to just a biological act, than the glory of it all vanishes.  From that day forward a whole lot of commitment is in order! Not just saving up for college! Children are not things, nor animals, or mishaps, but God given gifts to you and me.

Psa 127:3-5  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

How can I be faithful to this commitment? It is bigger then all of us! I respect your insights JH Mae, but I rather love and nurture my God given children, than walk my dog! Which is easier? Which is better? Only eternity will tell. God’s glory and doing His will is the bottom line when it comes to all that we do, and don’t do. Grace is available. All we have to do is humbly ask.

Pastor Tom Newton

Calvary Baptist Church

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