Large Families By Choice

God certainly doesn't create everyone with an intense desire to have a large family. But that is how He created me. Each time I adopted, I asked Him earnestly about it. I asked God to put something in the way of the child coming home, if I was the wrong mother for the child, or if the child was the wrong one for our family. Like Gideon, I used a "fleece" to be certain. I have trusted in God's wisdom, to bring the right child home. There were numerous times when something did get in the way, and our family was not chosen for a child. I was deeply disappointed, but peaceful, knowing that it was God's will. The children who did come home, were designed to be my own, beyond a shadow of a doubt. There are many very happy times in a large family. God doesn't put every solitary person with a family, but He sees fit to bring us together with other people more often than not.

* A father of the fatherless ... is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families ... Psalms 68:5a,6a

* He raises the poor and needy from affliction and makes their families like a flock. Psalms 107:41

I do need time alone in peace and quiet, like everyone else at times. But it is a wonderful thing to be surrounded by my own children.

* Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy. Isaiah 60:4,5

* He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD. Psalm 113:9

I praise Him for being so generous and loving, and gathering us all together. Regardless of griefs we have endured, I will always praise God for every single child He gave me. All of my children who could understand, have been saved, and knowing that we are all going to Heaven is the greatest gift of all.

* Your eyes have seen what the LORD did... Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:3,9

* Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him ... in his name. 21 He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. Deuteronomy 10:20,21

* Your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did. Deuteronomy 11:7

When we ask God to hear our prayers, we can be absolutely certain that He will. He does not always say yes to our requests, any more than a parent would to his child. God sees much farther ahead than we can. There is great security in that knowledge.

Like Hannah, I prayed long for a child. And like Hannah, I taught my children that they were a gift from God. The yearning of my heart was to raise them to glorify God. I wanted so much for God's love to shine from my life. Our family studied about Jesus together, and we prayed together.

* Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 2 Chronicles 6:40

And, like the Bible makes clear, God has listened, and He always will.

* Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:15