Mr. Tootables and Seasoning Salt: a tribute to large families

I have five kids. Five. Now personally, most days, I don't feel like five is "a lot". Granted, I come from a church where 3, 4, 5, 9 kids isn't unusual. It's possible that my idea of "a lot" is a bit skewed. Nonetheless, you can bet I receive an astonishing number of comments when I choose to take my team out in public. Grocery store runs, the public library, miscellaneous errands around town. (Not so much at parks during the summer...I guess they stay spread out enough that no one notices.) 

Today, as a shout out to my "homies" with a "large" brood of their own, I'd love to address some of these magnificent remarks and my responses to them (mostly in my head). And yes, these are comments I have received in real lie. So here goes! 

1. Are they all yours?

Why yes, as a matter of fact, they are! I don't typically make a habit of picking up extras just to make my trip to Target a little more exciting. Not only are they all mine, but I actually pushed them all out myself! It's true! And guess what? I'm super glad that I did!!! 

Ok, for real though, yes they are. But at the same time, they aren't. These precious little souls belong completely to God. Every single one of them. For some strange and unexplainable reason, the Lord decided to entrust them to me for a time. Some day, I will have to give them back. One of them I already have. So for now, I am going to claim them, enjoy them, and relish every moment of the craziness. I am going to receive this charge (or five of them, I should say) as incredible blessings and treasure them with all my heart. 

"Children are a gift from the Lord, a reward from Him." Psalm 127:3

2. Do you run a daycare?

No. Just...no. (If you DO run a daycare, you are amazing and I respect you and your gifting! )The ones that I have are my family. I'm happy to love on my kids, but doing childcare is not my gifting. I appreciate the authority given to me by God over my own children, and thanks to His Word I have a guidebook of wisdom principles on how to manage them and raise them up to be (hopefully) faithful, wise, and strong in character. 

I'll admit, this one still leaves me slightly confused. So that's all I've got. 

3. How do you do it?

Most days I just barely do it. Most days I feel discouraged, lonely, and in over my head. So you are probably thinking, "then why did you have five of them?" Because I love it, and can't imagine my life without a single one. 

The point is, my friends, I can't do it. And if I try to do it in my own strength, I will fail. I can only do it with God's help. Being a mother, whether you are a mother of one, two, five, or ten, a biological mother or adoptive mother, a physical mother or a spiritual mother, requires leaning into The One who gives us the power and endurance to persevere through trials, the wisdom to teach and train, and the love to pour out when our cups feel empty and we don't want to do it. 

I often hear people say "God won't give you more than you can handle." False! He will do exactly that! God wants us to pursue Him, and the best way to get us to do it is to give us way more than we can handle. 

"And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." 2 Corinthians 9:8

(Side note on the topic: here is a really neat Ask Pastor John on the subject of God giving us more than we can handle.)

4. You sure have your hands full!

Yes. Full of beautiful, sticky, goofy, boogery, delightful, memorable, slimy (yet satisfying...get that reference? Then hakuna matata to you!), memorable, wonderful moments and memories. Full of love, grace, opportunities for growth, and never ending laughter. Case in point:

Child: "Mama, my name is Mr. Tootables!"
Me: "Really?"
Child: "Yep! Isn't that funny?"

Child: "Mama, I have a pet dragon!!"
Me: "You do?" 
Child: "Yeah! It's name is Seasoning Salt!"

Beat that. Pretty sure you can't. *mic drop*

5. I could never do that. You must be superwoman!

No, not even close. I just have a super God. You should check Him out if you haven't already. You might be surprised by what you'll be capable of with the help of the Holy Spirit. I am surprised by that every single day.

6. You do know how that happens, right?

I saved the best one for last! Yes, can you believe that people have actually said this to me? I do know how it happens. Would you like me to explain it to you?

Sorry, not today folks. I'd say that blog post would be outside of my area of expertise, but clearly that isn't true...

God's timing for some of our children was definitely a little different than what we had in mind. But none of my kids were "an accident". So you can stop asking me this one. In fact, please stop asking anyone this one. First off, my family planning choices are between me, my husband, and the Lord. Our personal convictions are just that...personal. And yours are too, which is why I'm not asking you this question. 

God provides the blessing of children in many different ways, and always on his timeline. They may come in a manner that some would perceive as "mistakes" or "unplanned" or whatever. But just the way this question is worded leaves me feeling a sort of sadness and compassion for the person asking it. Children don't just happen. Children are a complete miracle, regardless of how or when they are conceived. Whether it's baby number five to a bustling Christian family, baby number six to a single mom that has had the first five taken from her, baby number one to a teenager that "has her whole life ahead of her". It doesn't matter. We need to change our mindset and understand that God gifted that life to that individual or family at that time. Yes, we know how it happens. Please join us in treasuring that miracle.

And side note to that single mama, or the mama that's given her kids up for adoption...God loves you. You did a great and wonderful thing. He is pleased with you. You and your child(ren) are treasured. Don't ever let anyone make you think any differently. 

And to the mamas and papas that keep on keepin' on, embracing the joy of large families and adding to your quiver, same to you. God loves you. He is pleased with you. He loves your children, and designed your family this way. He has a marvelous plan and mission for you.

Parents, I salute you. Cheers to sticky floors, poopy diapers, "Baby Shark" on repeat, and loading your mini van like a game of Tetris. Happy New Year, and may the Lord bless you with a year full of treasured memories.