While shopping with all my little ones, playing at the park or even at church, people often stop me after realizing that all five of the children with me are, in fact, mine. They ask, “How do you do it with five kids?” Most often I just smile, shrug and reply, “I don’t know, I just do.” It’s not very descriptive, I must say, and it certainly is no way to show how much I truly enjoy my job as a mother, nonetheless it has become my standard answer.

It is somewhat uncommon, these days, to see large families; let alone a family whose children are all so close in age. We are an anomaly. I would like my family to stand out because we follow and serve the Lord, not just because we have a lot of children marching closely (and sometimes not so closely) behind us.

This is why I have decided that I don’t care too much for my lazy answer. I would like to try to come up with something better... A reply that may cause people to realize that we are more than just a large family, with all of our little ones so close in age. I would like for people to see a family who honors God.

So, please bear with me as I think through the question “How do you do it?”

I know that without the Lord, I can do nothing. I have to rely on Him each and every day to supply my strength and the energy I need to run after five little ones, all of whom are now mobile! “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)

I start each day in prayer and thanksgiving for yet another day with my little ones. I have realized that the high calling I have as a wife and mother is truly one of honor and I treasure the time I have with my children. I shudder to think of all I would miss if I were away from my children every single day!

I know that my husband's God-given role is the leader of our family, which takes the burden of making the big decisions off of me; otherwise I would crumble under the weight of it all. He loves me, supports me and encourages me in my role as his wife, the mother of our children, teacher of 5 little ones, and the keeper of our home. I would not make it through a single day without my husband’s shoulder to cry on, his hand to hold in prayer, and his ears to listen to the ramblings of my day.

I truly try to have joy in each day that God has given me. "And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD” (Psalm 35:9). Sometimes it is so hard to be joyful, but I have realized that this is a decision I need to make in the first few moments of the day. Sure, I feel overwhelmed, but I can be joyful through those times for “the joy of the Lord is my strength” (Neh. 8:10).

Watch for Part Two as I process through and formulate an answer to *the question*.

Sep. 20, 2006 - How do you do it?