Something from ... Gottesdienst on the importance of womanhood and motherhood

Rev. Larry Beane writes a commentary about the importance of womanhood and motherhood in particular.  He highlights a few articles about how motherhood is despised, and that "important" women are the ones who eschew motherhood for careers.  Somehow, our nation has adopted the idea that children are oppressive and to be avoided.  That spirit is not limited to women; men have bought into it as well.  Daughters are urged to have careers, but rarely are they urged to get married, have babies, and stay at home to raise them.  If that last sentence made you cringe, you have adopted the spirit of our age.  

Rev. Beane also highlights the predictable result of Christian women avoiding having babies.  By way of contrast, Muslim women are having many.  If anyone is lamenting the shrinking of the Chrisian church in America, please note that we are doing it to ourselves.  Why?  Because that's what our society has taught us to do.

What do the Scriptures say?  "God blessed (the man and the woman) and said to them, 'Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it'" (Genesis 1:28).  This is a blessing that extends to all mankind.  Multiplying, that is, having babies, is God's blessing.  It is not a curse or an oppression.  King Solomon wrote, "Indeed, children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward from him" (Psalm 127:3).  Again, children are a reward, a blessing. 

The most important job a man and a woman have is raising their children.  They should give great care and attention to this and welcome children as the blessings God says they are.  Is it a lot of work?  Yes.  Everything worthwhile is.  Is it expensive?  Yes.  Life-long investments usually are.  Does it involve sacrifice?  Yes.  Parents give up a lot for the sake of their children.  But that's because children are the blessing, far more than money, travel, hobbies, and career.  Raising children is the most important work there is.

Rev. Larry Beane makes this point, and it is worth your reading.  Here is Something from ... Gottesdienst.