Found a very nice story on a TV station in the lower 48.  It’s about a family of siblings, 11 in all.  Each one of the brothers and sisters has been married to their spouse for at least 50 years.  The shot of the group of them praying is a picture worth a thousand words.  Here’s the story.

It makes me wonder about the size of families, and whether that doesn’t have something to do with the divorce rate in America.  In a large family like that, each member obviously would learn to overcome the struggles of selfishness, and realize the importance of being part of a family as an organized unit.  Christians have taken after their lost neighbors in America and begun sterilizing themselves rather than obeying God’s command to be fruitful and multiply.  It struck me when our third child was born this year that we are now an “abnormal” American family, because we’ve had more than the average 1.7 children.  Too many Christians are buying into the lie that “it’s too expensive to have a bunch of kids”, and participating in a cultural eugenics program.

These elderly couples all lived through the Great Depression, so anyone who tells you that it can’t be done simply has no light in them.  The Boersmas no doubt had a great example from their parents, but they are also obviously a family that prays and worships God together.  The parents of this group had a quiver full, and their cup runneth over with God’s blessing and love.  I hope it gives you pause to reflect on this story.  Don’t deny your children the blessing of a family, just because someone tells you it’s too expensive.