Future Men

Yesterday, while my friend Mystie was still here my mother-in-law, brother-in-law (same age as Judah), and sister-in-law came over to meet Mystie and to have a play-date for all the boys. We had 5 boys, 3 and under at our house in the morning. It was rather chaotic and noisy, you might say. To put it mildly, it was a madhouse. But nobody got seriously injured (although Hans’ hand got pinched in the closet door), and eventually everybody was fed and dispatched safely to their respective homes. But in the midst of all of that chaos, I couldn’t help but feel very satisfied to see 5 small boys who represent the strength of the next generation. As Mystie said later in the day, the blessing of children is not in the pitter patter of little feet, but in the expected fruitfulness of these future adults. These little guys might wear us out, (sometimes just from laughing so hard)\’c3\’82\’c2\~destroy our backs, carpets, furniture, and sanity, but when they are grown they will be our greatest accomplishment and our blooming pride and joy. \’c3\’82\’c2\~They will (Lord Willing!)be strong warriors for King Jesus and\’c3\’82\’c2\~the faithful fathers of our multitudinous grandchildren.\par
\par
This is why both Mystie and I want more children. Lots more children. Not because we love babies (though we do), and not because we find great fulfillment in managing a home and children (though we do), but because raising these kids and sending them forth is our greatest job, and the most productive thing we could possibly be doing with our time. And even though there are bad days now (see my previous post), and will be even harder times in the future, I try to keep my eyes set 20-30 years in the future, when current difficulties will be dim memories, but the fruit will (Lord Willing!!!) be very sweet.\par
\par
Why this sudden break from my usual household stories? Comes from drinking way too much coffee with a good friend and visiting for hours! But I thought I’d write it down so that I can hopefully look back and read it on some future bad day and get a second wind!