In Pain You Will Bring Forth Children

Does it ever amaze you how incredibly similar events come up coincidentally, all at the same time? This week, I have found myself in discussions with several different people regarding the pain associated with losing a baby and the fear that is associated with getting pregnant again or also of not being able to get pregnant again.

Looking back on that week, I wish I had this post by Gauntlets at Concordian Sisters of Perpetual Parturition. It is the most beautiful post I have ever read about how frightening and painful fertility can be in this sinful world, and how being open to God's command to "Be fruitful and multiply" can only be done through faith in Christ's love and promises.

I also wish I had this to show to anyone that sneers at a larger family or thinks that mother is engaged in something less worthy than those who limit their fertility so that they can be more involved in other things. Gauntlets courageously shows us that "In pain will you bring forth children (Gen. 3:16)" doesn't start and end in the few hours of labor. Our very fertility, a gift of God, is the source of so much pain, and so much joy, and it follows us to the creation of that child, through the pregnancy, through the birth, and as that child grows. In this sinful world, these joys are always mingled with fear and pain.