Faith to Feed a Big Family


"How are you going to feed them all?"

A well meaning relative often says this to me with incredulity, mild worry and unbelief edging her voice.  I have eleven children ages 17 to newborn at this time and they can all eat heartily.  The oldest five are now growing rapidly and quickly approaching if not surpassing my height of six feet. I understand her concern about feeding them adequate nutrition to support their bodily needs.   I also recoil against the fear, doubt and worry underneath her question. She doesn't believe it's possible. How are YOU going to feed them all?  Thank God it’s not all on me.

If it was all up to me to provide food for these rapidly growing children I might cave in to the kind of fear that keeps moms up at night worrying.  I knew that kind of fear when we only had three children under the age of three.  Once we had a girl and two boys almost everyone asked if we were ‘done’. Rather than being relieved by the idea I wrestled. Who says ‘we’ are done? Aren’t children a blessing from God? Aren’t we blessed and commanded to be fruitful & multiply in the literal sense? Isn’t God our ultimate provider as we seek Him first?

 After months of wrestling we repented of our fears and the control that stemmed from it.  I specifically pledged my trust that if He would entrust us with children then I would trust Him to provide the basics: food, shelter, clothing, etc.  I lean in on promises such as those found in the Sermon on the Mount: Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things [food & clothing] will be given to you (Matthew 6:33). I surrendered my death grip on the wheel of my life by trusting Jesus on a whole new level.  We have welcomed a child every two years since.

 Early on I began studying big families trusting God like us to see what practical things they did to feed their growing families.  A few common practices stood out including cooking from scratch, meal planning and simple lower budget ingredients such as eggs, rice, cabbage etc. They rarely eat out and keep it simple while enjoying mostly home cooking with occasional splurges. Breakfasts and lunches are simple yet nourishing.  Homeschooling families can easily avoid higher priced pre-packaged snacks and drinks by having simple home cooked meals.  It takes more time however the trade is saving the money. Feeding a big family can be done with willingness to trust, learn and create.

 For many, I’m one of the few, if the only, big family they know. I get how people ask the fear loaded question ‘how are you going to feed them all?’.  Rather than beg them to believe everything will be ok I simply live out my life in trust & diligence.   Assuming control of family size  out of fear is choice.  I chose to take the road less travelled that is walked by faith not by sight. I’ve learned from and now get to encourage others in faithfully caring for their families, learning new skills and investing the time & energy to make nutritious, delicious and filling meals.  So how will I feed them all? By faith and grace, one meal at a time.

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If this blog blessed you feel free to join my Big Family Moms community where I have lots more resources and encouragement for moms like you overcoming struggles and growing in grace. Here's the LINK if you like.

 

 

 

 

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