Welcome!

Today I toted three kids to the doctor, and the appointment wasn’t actually for any of them.  It was for me.  I was following up with my “family” doctor about my post-partum depression.  I use the word “family” haltingly, though, and here’s why.

As we were not taken back to the room where we would be seeing the doctor until half an hour after our scheduled appointment time, the two little boys (my one-year-old and the 6 month-old I baby sit) were getting quite restless.  I held the youngest as I pushed the double stroller with my daughter and son into the room.  The nurse was polite and asked if I needed help and smiled at the kids as she ran through the reasons I was there.  I mentioned the follow-up and that I am currently pregnant again.  She smiled and went to get the doctor.

As the doctor walked in, she just looked at me holding a baby, singing to all three, and shook her head in surprise and disbelief.  “Didn’t we talk about birth control?” she asked.  “You have two in diapers.”

I pointed out that only one of mine is currently in diapers, that I’ve always had two in diapers when a new baby comes around, and that my two oldest children will be in school full time next year.  But, she interrupted me.

“What are you and your husband going to do?  Four is enough.  Surgery for him or you?”

I assured her that we would talk about it, too shocked at the chastising I was receiving to offer any other protests.

Welcome to the world, my new little one.

See, today, many people look on family as a burden, not a blessing.  They assume that parents would much rather selfishly spend their money on toys to make their lives happier instead of providing for future generations.  They look at parents with pity instead of encouraging them to do their best to raise loving children.

But, my new little one, you don’t need to worry.  It’s not that your dad and I love you so much already, that we’ll do the best we can to take care of you, that we’ll raise you to be a loving and loved child.  Those are true.  But, my baby, even more wonderful is that you have a heavenly Father who is looking after you at all times.  He is the one who decided the time was right to bring you into our family (even if your dad and I were VERY surprised).  He is the one who holds you in His hand constantly, keeping you safe.  And He is the one who wants you to be a part of His heavenly kingdom one day.

To give my doctor the benefit of the doubt, perhaps she was just looking out for my mental health.  I wish she had taken the time, though, to ask about the joy I have in caring for my family and the privilege of caring for another mommy’s precious little boy.  I wish she had inquired as to the welfare of my children.  I wish, at the very least, she had offered me congratulations.

Tonight, I’ll include her in my prayers.  I pray that God gives her the opportunity to see the blessing that family can be.  I pray that she recognize it as a gift from Him.  I pray that she learn to know Jesus as her Savior.

I’ll pray for you, too, Baby.  I pray that God blesses you your whole life with a love for him that will show itself in many ways.  And, I pray that God blesses you with a family of your own one day to love and care for, just as he has given me the blessing of a wonderful and very full family.