I love this! We didn’t have our 1st until we were 28yo and now have 6 beautiful babies - we never thought we wanted any but God sure knew better (the minute they placed my oldest in my arms I knew I wanted so many more!!:)🙏🏻 I’ll be 41yo this month and we are expecting our 7th. I find strength in stories like yours and wish I heard more bc I hear far more fear of children - whether that be related to money or age (how old we’ll be when they’re graduating, married, grandkids) but I think it’s our faith in God and not the fear of the unknown that has kept me from feeling ashamed/worried. In the end, none of that will matter. None of that is guaranteed anyway (a long life, grand/babies, marriage, money). The joy my family has brought me will always be the greatest gift I’ve ever received (that I didn’t know I even wanted and absolutely don’t know how I could ever deserve)🙏🏻❤️. Happy Birthday, Meg!!!!
We started when I was 27 and he was 30. We have 7. Our oldest just turned 20 and our youngest is about to turn 4. I think we're probably done now but some days I so wish for another little baby in my arms. Grandchildren soon I pray!
I have often wondered when children went from being blessings from God to burdens. Christians should be rejoicing and instead I often hear the most cruel things. It shows how society so affects us, without our even noticing. People shouldn’t respond to new life with, “Don’t you know how that happens?!?” But with, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”
I love your story! Thank you for sharing. I had my 1st at 35 (almost 36!), and my 2nd at 37. We “tried” for 8 years to have our 1st. I had 5 miscarriages. It was definitely Gods timing for us! I’ve been able to be a stay at home mom since 2005. My oldest is 18 & graduates HS in May.
Someone I follow on Instagram linked this story, and I was compelled to read it. I am so thankful I did. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for praying for me and others who long for children. I am 34, single, and struggle with the innate longing to be a mother. Your message touched me and I am very thankful for it. Thank God and God bless you for putting this message out there. I am in Southern Cali too and you described the average mindset perfectly. Thank you again, for the reminder to remain hopeful.
We married when I was 20. Did the career thing for 7 years. Decided we would have two, 3 years apart (weren’t we in control or what?! Ha!). My hubby really wanted 4. No way I said. We transferred jobs and states with an 8 mo old and a 2 yo. Yes. We are so done. More transfers and upheaval on the horizon. And then…God laughed. And gave us 3, 22 mos apart exactly. I had JUST quit my job to be a SAHM and dang that stick turned blue. I was 32, had been through two high risk pregnancies and knew a third wasn’t likely to survive. Had that 1 yo and not quite 3 yo at home. But you know what? We didn’t know if this child would live to be born but we were certain God knew he would. He is the most generous, dependable and kind soul I’ve ever met. He has been a bundle of joy from day one and we cannot even imagine our family without him and his laugh.
Oh Rachel! I cried tears of joy reading this! Especially the end! How Meg just loves the girls when they come into her room! I am 34 and just had my first baby- a girl- the greatest blessing of my life and I wish more women. Had told me GET MARRIED, HAVE KIDS,HAVE LOTS OF KIDS...but sadly....no one encouraged it, not even my mom😢 now, I'm 34 with my first and I wish I had started 15 years ago and had 10 if I could have! But, God always has a plan, and for his plans are far more perfect than mine! So now, I will just be that woman that tells younger girls- GET MARRIED, HAVE KIDS LOVE THE LORD , SERVE YOUR FAMILY!! Stay home and love your husband and be the home keeper and help meet God created you to be !!
I have a 10 year old, 9 year old, and 16 month old. My older two are so close in age that I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around a large age gap with the baby, but it has been the greatest joy to see my big kids fall in love with a little one. We are all completely obsessed! And my goodness is it easier to have a baby around when you have helpers doting on him/her all day! I’m 38 and have had many miscarriages so I don’t know what will happen in the future, but I’m so very grateful we have at least this little one. It makes me very sad to see how many of our friends got vasectomies at young ages after their 2-3 kids, knowing they made such a permanent decision that cuts off a world of joy. The fact that another baby seemed overwhelming with 2 or 3 very small children doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be great to have more when the first ones were a little older!
I just got the positive test at age 38 and was completely shocked. When this baby is born next year, I’ll have a 15 year old, 10 year old, twin 9 year olds, and then a newborn. However, I am rejoicing at this unexpected blessing and cannot wait to welcome a new baby into this crazy life.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful words. I am 40. I have two beautiful daughters who came back to back; I birthed both at 35. I don’t know our future- but I love to smile at your joy and know that if God’s plan for us includes more children, there is a contingent of people who would see the miracle of another child as a good and perfect gift- sent from above.
I love this so much! We are 42/43 and pregnant with #7 after a 7 year “break” which leaves my other kids as 17-7. What a deep joy! Gideon’s arrival is a much anticipated addition to advent (hopefully) and we’re blessed by a church body that has welcomed his coming with excitement. So happy to hear about your sweet baby girl!
I am in tears! How beautifully written. I am 34yo and my husband and I have been trying to conceive for at least 10 of our 15 years of marriage. I was on birth control for the first few years because I too fell victim to the same narrative that “you should wait a few years before having kids.” (A decision I would totally make differently now, especially after learning that hormonal birth control is abortifacient. 😭)
It’s hard not to get angry at my younger self and it’s hard not to get upset when every young lady in our church is pregnant and having babies right now, and it’s hard not to wonder “why not me?”. But I have to remind myself, daily, that God is in control and that His plan is so much greater than mine. Until then I will be the best aunt I can be to my niece and nephew and to all the sweet children at our church. I love all of them so much. 🤍
I love hearing stories like yours because even though I’m in my mid thirties, there is still hope.
We know how it happened. When mainline Protestant churches accepted contraception. It was always a blessing and there was no separation between marriage and children. They always went together. Now they preach exactly what you described about sex alone and separate the natural outcome which is children.
I love this! We didn’t have our 1st until we were 28yo and now have 6 beautiful babies - we never thought we wanted any but God sure knew better (the minute they placed my oldest in my arms I knew I wanted so many more!!:)🙏🏻 I’ll be 41yo this month and we are expecting our 7th. I find strength in stories like yours and wish I heard more bc I hear far more fear of children - whether that be related to money or age (how old we’ll be when they’re graduating, married, grandkids) but I think it’s our faith in God and not the fear of the unknown that has kept me from feeling ashamed/worried. In the end, none of that will matter. None of that is guaranteed anyway (a long life, grand/babies, marriage, money). The joy my family has brought me will always be the greatest gift I’ve ever received (that I didn’t know I even wanted and absolutely don’t know how I could ever deserve)🙏🏻❤️. Happy Birthday, Meg!!!!
We started when I was 27 and he was 30. We have 7. Our oldest just turned 20 and our youngest is about to turn 4. I think we're probably done now but some days I so wish for another little baby in my arms. Grandchildren soon I pray!
I have often wondered when children went from being blessings from God to burdens. Christians should be rejoicing and instead I often hear the most cruel things. It shows how society so affects us, without our even noticing. People shouldn’t respond to new life with, “Don’t you know how that happens?!?” But with, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”
I love your story! Thank you for sharing. I had my 1st at 35 (almost 36!), and my 2nd at 37. We “tried” for 8 years to have our 1st. I had 5 miscarriages. It was definitely Gods timing for us! I’ve been able to be a stay at home mom since 2005. My oldest is 18 & graduates HS in May.
Someone I follow on Instagram linked this story, and I was compelled to read it. I am so thankful I did. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for praying for me and others who long for children. I am 34, single, and struggle with the innate longing to be a mother. Your message touched me and I am very thankful for it. Thank God and God bless you for putting this message out there. I am in Southern Cali too and you described the average mindset perfectly. Thank you again, for the reminder to remain hopeful.
We married when I was 20. Did the career thing for 7 years. Decided we would have two, 3 years apart (weren’t we in control or what?! Ha!). My hubby really wanted 4. No way I said. We transferred jobs and states with an 8 mo old and a 2 yo. Yes. We are so done. More transfers and upheaval on the horizon. And then…God laughed. And gave us 3, 22 mos apart exactly. I had JUST quit my job to be a SAHM and dang that stick turned blue. I was 32, had been through two high risk pregnancies and knew a third wasn’t likely to survive. Had that 1 yo and not quite 3 yo at home. But you know what? We didn’t know if this child would live to be born but we were certain God knew he would. He is the most generous, dependable and kind soul I’ve ever met. He has been a bundle of joy from day one and we cannot even imagine our family without him and his laugh.
Oh Rachel! I cried tears of joy reading this! Especially the end! How Meg just loves the girls when they come into her room! I am 34 and just had my first baby- a girl- the greatest blessing of my life and I wish more women. Had told me GET MARRIED, HAVE KIDS,HAVE LOTS OF KIDS...but sadly....no one encouraged it, not even my mom😢 now, I'm 34 with my first and I wish I had started 15 years ago and had 10 if I could have! But, God always has a plan, and for his plans are far more perfect than mine! So now, I will just be that woman that tells younger girls- GET MARRIED, HAVE KIDS LOVE THE LORD , SERVE YOUR FAMILY!! Stay home and love your husband and be the home keeper and help meet God created you to be !!
I had my first at 34. I’m now pregnant with my 5th at 42. God can work wonders.
That is wonderful ❤️ congratulations!! Yes God can do whatever he wants we just have to have faith!!
I have a 10 year old, 9 year old, and 16 month old. My older two are so close in age that I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around a large age gap with the baby, but it has been the greatest joy to see my big kids fall in love with a little one. We are all completely obsessed! And my goodness is it easier to have a baby around when you have helpers doting on him/her all day! I’m 38 and have had many miscarriages so I don’t know what will happen in the future, but I’m so very grateful we have at least this little one. It makes me very sad to see how many of our friends got vasectomies at young ages after their 2-3 kids, knowing they made such a permanent decision that cuts off a world of joy. The fact that another baby seemed overwhelming with 2 or 3 very small children doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be great to have more when the first ones were a little older!
I just got the positive test at age 38 and was completely shocked. When this baby is born next year, I’ll have a 15 year old, 10 year old, twin 9 year olds, and then a newborn. However, I am rejoicing at this unexpected blessing and cannot wait to welcome a new baby into this crazy life.
Your story is beautiful I wish every woman could read this. Gods in control. I wish I had had more then the four children I was blessed with 💙
I wish more women would talk about this. My own mother discouraged me from marriage and starting a family, and now I'm 38, longing for kids.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful words. I am 40. I have two beautiful daughters who came back to back; I birthed both at 35. I don’t know our future- but I love to smile at your joy and know that if God’s plan for us includes more children, there is a contingent of people who would see the miracle of another child as a good and perfect gift- sent from above.
So beautiful. Happy birthday, Meg. Happy BIRTH day, Rachel. ❤️
I love this so much! We are 42/43 and pregnant with #7 after a 7 year “break” which leaves my other kids as 17-7. What a deep joy! Gideon’s arrival is a much anticipated addition to advent (hopefully) and we’re blessed by a church body that has welcomed his coming with excitement. So happy to hear about your sweet baby girl!
I am in tears! How beautifully written. I am 34yo and my husband and I have been trying to conceive for at least 10 of our 15 years of marriage. I was on birth control for the first few years because I too fell victim to the same narrative that “you should wait a few years before having kids.” (A decision I would totally make differently now, especially after learning that hormonal birth control is abortifacient. 😭)
It’s hard not to get angry at my younger self and it’s hard not to get upset when every young lady in our church is pregnant and having babies right now, and it’s hard not to wonder “why not me?”. But I have to remind myself, daily, that God is in control and that His plan is so much greater than mine. Until then I will be the best aunt I can be to my niece and nephew and to all the sweet children at our church. I love all of them so much. 🤍
I love hearing stories like yours because even though I’m in my mid thirties, there is still hope.
We know how it happened. When mainline Protestant churches accepted contraception. It was always a blessing and there was no separation between marriage and children. They always went together. Now they preach exactly what you described about sex alone and separate the natural outcome which is children.