Too Much Spice?

“Children too are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children born in one’s youth.” Psalm 127: 3-4

Not sure if you heard the world-wide news yet, but David Beckham the soccer star and his Spice Girl wife just had their fourth child. Who cares you might ask? Apparently lots of people; especially in the UK, where the birth of this precious little one has been met with cries of criticism. The naysayers protest the births of this many children to one couple, claiming that it is irresponsible to the environment, global warming and overpopulation. People in the media and the government are now asking—demanding—a national debate on what the appropriate number of children a couple should have might be. Really?

Consider that most of Europe is in such population decline that most of the governments have to import immigrants from Africa and the Middle East to keep their economies afloat. Consider that many countries like Russian and Japan actually offer monetary incentives for couples to have children because their birthrates are so low. Consider that while the world’s population may top 8-9 billion by the year 2050, most population experts expect it to begin dramatically dropping after that. Consider that we do not have a food shortage in the world, rather we have a distribution problem and a problem of corrupt governments and tyranny in too many countries. Consider that we too, are often wasteful and not willing to sacrifice as much in wealthier countries so that others could enjoy more of what we take for granted.

Children are NOT the problem! Children are always a gift. Isn’t it interesting that in poorer countries, people keep trying to have more and more children. Prideful “Ivory Tower-types” from Western countries claim that this is because of the ignorance of these people, as if they are not much more than cattle or animals. But the truth is that children represent HOPE to people in poverty. Children are seen as treasures, not as burdens to avoid as is so often the case in First World countries.

Raising children is hard work. It takes money to feed them, clothe them, care for them   and educate them. But they are a BLESSING! Every one of them, no matter the circumstances of their conception, no matter what they look like or what they act like. Children cause us to try to improve ourselves, sacrifice ourselves and become more noble and less selfish. They give us hope and they help us to rediscover the beauty and joy of the world as we watch them explore and squeal and feel things so deeply. Their innocence cuts to the core of our hearts and challenges us to be better so we can preserve their innocence and so we can live a bit of their lives all over gain in our own hearts and minds.

Dear Jesus, thank You for new life and for the blessing of children. May the world come to understand the treasure of children. Amen.