Why Have Children?

So I was just reading a book that asked why people were not given good reasons to have children as well as all of the reasons to avoid having them.  (If you're wondering why this topic appeared in the reading of a still-single girl, I understand.  But reading good advice concerning relationships and financial questions about three moves beyond your current status really isn't such a bad idea.  You should try it!)  But back to all of the reason people are given for not having children.  It is quite evident that the majority of young people have bought some or all of these rationalizations for intentional childlessness.

An amazing number even of young Christians will say, "Oh, we're not quite ready to have kids.  We like our freedom/sleep/time/money too much to have children just yet."  Unfortunately, many of those who have ill-defined reasons for avoiding children will continue putting it off until the possibility no longer remains.  (Of course, the best parents are not those who selfishly put their needs before those of their children.  But that is another question entirely.)  Last summer, it seemed that all of the young married couples who were my age or a little younger had decided that they might have children and decided to declare it to the world.  It hurt!

You see, the first "career choice" as a child was to "grow up and have a hundred children."  Well, I have grown up.  And reality has checked my ambitions somewhat as to the number.  But I still believe that my childhood dream wasn't such a bad idea in principle.