Childbearing: A Gift from God

Editor’s note: This month’s article is adapted from a devotional Sally recently gave at a baby shower for a first-time mother.

I believe the Bible to be the Holy Word of God. What God says, I know to be true. Throughout the years, He has proven it to be true in my life, and I love God with all my heart, and pray daily my children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren will know and love God, too.

In Genesis 3:16, after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden by disobeying God, one of the things God said to the woman focused on bearing children. He also said, “Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” That word “desire” in the Hebrew means “to stretch out after.” It implies that she would pour out herself so that her husband and home would prosper.

I was raised in a Christian home and saw my mom pour out her thoughts and cares for her family daily. It came naturally for her. I benefited from her love and care, but never fully appreciated it or understood where her desire came from. I lived a very selfish, self-serving life – children tend to do that. But her godly example in many ways led me to see my sin – how I had left God out of my life, resulting in a selfish life. I wasn’t happy or content with who I was. I saw her contentment and fulfillment in her role as a wife and mother. I knew if I ever became a wife and mother, I’d never make it because I could only think of myself.

Through many things that happened to me, God began showing me that He was there and caring about me – drawing me to Him. I began reading His Word and saw verses like Genesis 3:16. It wasn’t until I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ that I began, through God’s Holy Spirit, to understand the tremendous calling and privilege of being a woman, wife, and mother. Rather than being discouraged or dejected at the thought of being a woman under authority, in submission to my husband, I saw that God had given a special place for women to bear children and to have a heart for children, husband, family and desiring their home to prosper.

1 Timothy 2:13-15 speaks about that Genesis incident of Adam and Eve disobeying God. Paul points out that Adam was formed first, then Eve, and Adam wasn’t deceived but the woman (Eve) was, and fell into the transgression or sin. But then he gives hope: “Nevertheless,” he says, “She will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love and holiness with self-control.” Childbearing is a gift from God, a high calling. God says in Psalm 127:3, “Behold children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Even barren women have a desire to have and nurture children because it’s God-given – and God-designed.

In my flesh, I am still the same self-centered Sally, but God has given me grace to help as I seek Him and ask Him for wisdom. The passage in Scripture God has often used to keep my focus is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” And I can testify that He will strengthen you for whatever He asks you to do.

In preparing for my first child, I remember struggling with fears and calling out to God for help. At those times Jesus wrapped His arms around me and comforted me in my spirit with words like : “I will never leave you nor forsake you;” “Fear not, I am with you, I will help you;” “I’ve not given you the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind;” “God loves me with His perfect love and perfect love casts out fear;” “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you...let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid;” “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” I was a very new believer in Christ and young, and yet God in His mercy poured out his love and help enough to give me peace and strength to carry me through a long, hard labor. I had no idea that I would need those words of comfort to carry me through eleven more pregnancies!

This I have seen to be true throughout my life, and I am so thankful, so content now, and very fulfilled. We can all have that peace when we embrace the God of Creation’s high calling for us as women, wives, and mothers. He then gives us wisdom in loving and training the child or children He gives us. Yes, children need training!

There are so many awesome passages in the Word of God to help us, especially in Proverbs. Proverbs 22:6 is one of them. It says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it.” We not only have to teach but also to train. The dictionary defines train: “to mold the character, to instruct by exercise, drill, to make obedient to orders, to put or point to an exact direction, to prepare for a contest.” Only God knows the contest our child or children must prepare for. Each one has their own calling from God. We can trust Him to show us how to train them.

In Proverbs 29:15, God says, “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself brings his mother shame.” And Proverbs 13:24 has been helpful to me, “He who spares the rod hates his son or daughter, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” Love your child as the eternal soul he is and pray daily for his salvation.

Dear new and young mothers-to-be, it is an awesome task you have ahead of you and worthy of praise because God has designed it to be so. Humbly look to God to daily give you wisdom and strength to hear His voice as you look forward to training your little gift from God for His glory! For God alone is worthy of all Glory and Honor and Praise, Amen.