One is Not Less

“Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24

“Hello, it’s nice to meet you. Is this your family? Oh you just have one child.”

The guest speaker at our church stuck his foot in his mouth before he even stepped into the pulpit. He wasn’t the first to make this kind of remark. There seems to be this stigma, especially in Christian circles, that God’s favor is measured in how many kids you’ve been given. Perhaps I exaggerate, but if I had a dime for every time someone asked me if we are having more kids or made a comment about our “just one”…

I do not have a problem with a devoted mother gifted with half a dozen children. I have a problem with the idea that one is less. It’s isn’t.

For me, one is more. More than I thought I’d be able to have. More opportunities to love and serve. More blessed than I deserve. More joyous than I can express.

Motherhood is different than I dreamed in some ways. Harder a little, but even better than I imagined. Because God chose to give me a son, “just one” flooded my life with a high calling and so much gratitude. I went from a weeping mom, to an active mom. Just one, by the grace of God, was the difference between night and day.

God does care about how many kids we have. My husband and I desire to have more, and sometimes it’s very difficult to keep waiting in that department. But this I know: although God cares about my desire for more children, He is not as concerned with how many kids I have, as much as He is concerned with how I mother.

One more time – it’s not how many kids you have. It’s how you mother.

How do you steward the gift you’ve been given?
How do you teach your little one(s) truth? Or show them Christ’s love?
How do you let your kid(s) know they are loved and valued? How do you enjoy them?
How do you make the best use of your time?
How do you create a safe and loving home?
How do you treat your spouse?
How do you treat your child(ren)? Do you talk to them with respect? Do you take the time to listen to their stories and questions? Do you enjoy the moments?

These things are important, because God commands us to raise our children right. These little moments matter, whether you have one child or ten. Whether they are adopted, fostered, or biological. Whether they are old or young.

Mothering matters, and I for one am so thankful I get to partake in this gift.

One makes a difference. Several prominent characters in the Bible had only one or two children. Sarah had “just” Isaac. Rebekah had “just” Esau and Jacob. Elizabeth had “just” John the Baptist. Yet from those few, Jesus’s lineage was grown, the nation of Israel was born, and the way to Christ and salvation was preached.

So, no matter how many children or family members you have, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24

Thank you, Jesus for my son! May he be a man after Your own heart.

© Grace Baeten 2022