I feel now as if I am mid-journey.  I can see where I've been, I feel contented with where I am going. 

 I understand that being quiverfull DOES NOT mean being a baby machine.  It doesn't even mean you'll have a large family. 

I realize you cannot tell a quiverfull family by the number of children they have in tow.  I am still shocked by the number of families I know who have had 6 children by ACCIDENT! 

Of course, even the term "by accident" isn't correct.  God does not do anything "by accident."

Being quiverfull means you trust God completely to give you the exact amount of arrows that fill your particular quiver.

You see, each of us has a specific sized quiver.  Our quiver size is determined by the mission we have in life.  The piece of the puzzle that is ours, if you will.  Some quivers are filled with 1 child and some quivers are filled with numerous children.  The family with 1 child (or no children) is not any less important than the family with 14 children.  God has a different plan in mind for the two families and we cannot judge ourselves against other's standards--only against God's standards.

The question you must ask yourself is this:  Do you trust Him with a little or do you trust Him with ALL? 

I can give you all the little anecdotes in the world about how God made your body to work a certain way and when you "get fixed" you are really getting "broken."  I can tell you how birth control pills act as an abortifacient since their secondary purpose is to make your uterus an unhospitable place should a child "accidentally" be conceived.  I can call into question your pro-life stance when you aren't accepting of the blessings God has for you.  But ultimately, what it comes down to will not be how much guilt I can heap on you, it comes down to your willingness to trust. 

Have I finally arrived because I am quiverfull?  Absolutely NOT.  Do I feel animosity toward anyone who is not?  Absolutely NOT.  Do I think I'm a better Christian because I am quiverfull?  NO. 

Being quiverfull is a conviction--not a lifestyle choice or something you do only when it suits your fancy.  Being quiverfull is not easy, but hey, being a Christian isn't easy either.

To date, we have 4 children.  We have had long breaks between babies and short breaks between babies (our last two being only 16 mons apart).  I still continue to suffer from morning sickness, but that too is to God's glory.  We are actually excited to see what God has in store for our family.  Is our quiver full at 4?  Will there be more babies?  Will they come sooner or later?  This attitude toward babies has made our children rejoice at the birth of a new brother or sister.  They don't loathe their siblings.  They know that children are cherished and treasured b/c mommy and daddy see them as blessings.  They know they weren't accidents or something that inconvenienced us because they know we believe each and every child is a gift--a precious, precious gift.

To conclude this chapter in my personal journey, I want to be sure to say that I am NOT the Holy Spirit.  I am NOT trying to convict you, I am simply asking that you look to His Holy Word as THE GUIDE for your life.  Pay no attention to what modern man thinks.  The Bible, and only the Bible, should be where you look for truth.

May God be glorified in this journey...

~Amy