Faithful Friday---Crazy?!

I recently ventured out to Rite Aid with all three kiddos in tow, to score on some awesome deals!  I had Anna in the Baby Bjorn, Luke was in the cart, and Ava was walking so that she could be "Mommy's helper."  It was quite a great trip, all things considered.......there were no breakdowns, no tantrums and no major crying.  All in all, it was a successful trip to the store!

After we purchased our items and were heading out the door, all kiddos doing great,  a lady was coming inside the doors.   She stopped quite suddenly, pulled down her sunglasses to the tip of her nose, looked all the kids up and down, and said these exact words:  "You're crazy."  It wasn't, like, a joyful, funny, sarcastic, "You're crazy!!"  It was a firm, stern, slightly mean, "You're crazy."  It actually caught me off-guard and I said, "Excuse me??"  She said it again, in her unhappy, unjoyful, nasty way, and that was it.......she kept on walking into the store and we went on our way out to the car.

WHAT WAS THAT???!?!?!  I kept going over the whole scene in my mind......was she saying I was crazy because I shopped at Rite Aid??  Was it because I have three kids?  Was it because my kids are so close in age?  Was it because I took all three of them to the store with me?  What was it???!?!?!?!?

If she said it in a happy, jovial, funny way, I really could understand what she was trying to say, because I have heard it many, many times already in just these past 7 weeks since Anna has been born.  I know many people think going out with three kids under the age of 4, by yourself, is a daunting task.  I understand how people can think that, but they don't say it in a way that is all-in-all: RUDE.  I just couldn't believe it.

The way that this woman told me I was crazy, made me believe that she truly thought I was.  Like she was utterly disgusted, not only at the thought of having three children, but at the mere sight of all three of them, out in public, with me.  Like she REALLY did think I was crazy.  Now, don't get me wrong........she can have her own opinions and ways of thinking....she can think any way she wants.  The issue is that she actually voiced this ugly attitude and opinion to me in an utterly rude way.  Totally uncalled for.

Her words really got me thinking........to me, CRAZY.... is.......jumping out of a plane.........it's letting spiders crawl all over you.........it's driving on the wrong side of the road........it's mowing your lawn barefoot.  Those things are crazy, to me!!  NOT HAVING CHILDREN!!!!!

I bring this story to you, not only to teach us to watch what we say to people and how we say it, but to also realize what God tells us:

"Children are a Heritage from the Lord.  The fruit of the womb is a reward from Him" ----Psalm 127

Children are a REWARD, a GIFT and a HERITAGE from the Lord.  Having one of them, four of them, or even 20 of them is NOT CRAZY!!!!  There are MUCH crazier things!!!!  I urge us all, whether you have children, or not, to see yours or others' children as a special, wonderful, amazing gift from the Lord.  Just think of the joy they have brought you, the things they have taught you, and how they have lovingly and beautifully enriched your life.

Don't let what other people say to you, or tell you, sway you.  Mark and received many side comments, whether jokingly, or not, about having a third child.  In all honesty, I was quite shocked that people would think that having three children was a lot.  Again, this is just my opinion and we all don't have to see this the same way.  I know we all are not going to agree.....but, really, now.........having three kids is NOT CRAZY!!  Ooooohhh, and what if we were to make it an even FOUR?!?!?  There might be pandemonium!!  :-)

Ok, so all joking aside......I hope you can understand where I'm coming from and what I'm trying to say:

Children are a true and utter BLESSING.

No.  Matter.  What.