Put Your Womb on the Altar
My husband is a big band singer, and therefore has the uncanny ability to take any random phrase and turn it into song lyrics. He sings about playing fetch with our Jack Russell Terrier. He sings about making coffee. And, most recently, he crooned an impromptu country ditty called “Put Your Womb on the Altar.”
Let me back up just a little. We were driving home from the gym the other day, and I brought up the fact that I was, well…fertile. See, there’s “that time of the month” and then there’s that other time of the month. For me, the latter is just as stressful as the former, because we don’t use any birth control. And, truth be told, I don’t think I want to get pregnant. Consequently, whenever we hit the fertile days, I become exceptionally paranoid.
Admittedly, I feel guilty about not wanting children, especially with so many folks we know going to great lengths to get pregnant or adopt a baby from overseas. It seems that lots of couples will stop at nothing to have a family. But, I’m already in my late 30s, and I just can’t see myself raising a brood while I’m planning my retirement. Besides, I’m selfish. And, parenting is an entirely selfless act, one that takes immeasurable patience and altruism. Currently, those traits are not among my strong suits.
So, there I was, sweaty and tired after a bout at the gym, voicing my worries to my husband about the possibility of pregnancy. To which he flatly replied, “Put your womb on the altar.”
Then, he started to sing it, in a hokey country twang:
Put your womb on the altar
Give your ovaries to the Lord
Throw your fertility on the sacrificial fire
Relax, and cook yourself some s’mores
We had a good laugh, and Craig gently reminded me that it’s really not up to me whether we have children. That’s God’s call. If He wants us to have kiddos, I’ll get pregnant. If He doesn’t, I won’t. We decided long ago that God’s got the ball on that one (hence the “no birth control” thing), and I have to trust that He always has my best interest at heart.
So, I’m putting my womb on the altar. And, I’m looking forward to seeing how the Lord’s will continues to unfold in our lives.
In the meantime, please pass the s’mores.
5 comments
Amen Brother Craig!
It’s truly amazing how God works… What comes to mind is the passage that reminds us that God never gives us what we can not handle… it doesn’t mean there won’t be tests…
I personally think that Mr. and Mrs. BigT would make awesome parents! But I do think that certain desires, or lack thereof, are from God, as this may be for you. Even if you were to get preggos, you have nine months to find and cultivate the afforementioned traits. Too bad we don’t have the gestation of an elephant as would be needed in my selfish case. But I can praise God that it’s not that of a mayfly… I would have already popped out 200 babies by the end of this sentence.
Leslie – Your insights are wise and insightful. It is excellent to see you using your skills in communication along with words of encouragement and revelation for the benefit of others. The Lord has, is and will continue to use you in a mighty way as you share your heart with a world that needs what Jesus himself can only provide. Keep it up!
Mike
Can’t believe Craig tipped you off to my secret cyber-diary. 😛 Good to hear from you, big guy!
I must reserve comment, but this here is funny stuff. I can hear him singing this 🙂 I wasn’t having kids. I don’t like kids. She says, four kids later.
Love that he will make a song out of anything! Too funny! I do that too, although I don’t really sing all that well, just enjoy it. 😉
As for giving your womb over to God, that’s what I call being quiverfull and I blog a lot about that. 😉 Although I will admit, you’re first person I’ve come across that did so and absolutely did not want children. Thanks for your honesty and for sharing with us your faithfulness to trust God. 🙂