Why ‘I Can’t Afford Kids’ Misses the Point

Father Josiah Trenham

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#religion #politics #news #politics #viral #podcast #jesus #prayer #orthodoxchristianity #jesus jesus #christianity #patristicnectarpublications #patristicnectar #frjosiahtrenham #josiahtrenham #orthodoxchristianity #orthodoxchristian #christianity #church #jesus #jesuschrist #god #shorts #salvation #youtubeshorts #ytshorts #priest #ministry #pastor #identity #internet #christianity #churchfathers #saints #conscienceFather Josiah Trenham

[geordan]

I’m 35 and my wife and I have been married for 12 years. We were “atheists” but 7 months ago she got pregnant with a little boy and I immediately thought “god is real” and from then on I have felt gods presence grow stronger every day. I am so unbelievably blessed and I can’t stop apologizing to Jesus for all the wrongs I have done and boy there is no shortage of them. Thank you lord for your forgiveness and love and thank for blessing me with a child!

[nicovanmu]

My wife has given birth to our second child 2 weeks ago. He has some heart issue and must be operated tomorrow. Please, pray for him that God keeps him with us.

Children are more precious than all the riches in this world.

[stoneleafresearch]

We were blessed with our sixth child recently. Thank you Amen

[stanisawm]

My wife is pregnant with our 5th baby. I’m 49 year old.
Greetings from Switzerland.

[revelation-]

Sometimes I've wondered why I am still a single man, but after hearing you speak Father I think I'm seeing a part of myself that I have neglected. I'm happy that you and so many other faithful have brought more strong Christians into our dark world, it keeps the Church alive! Pray for me, a sinner.

[NiaNook]

My mother raised 6 kids alone after her husband deserted his family. I was too young to understand much of what was going on, but I knew I had missed out on field trips because my mom couldn't afford the fee, and other kids made rude comments about me being poor, which I figure must have been because my clothes were worn hand-me-downs.
Despite this, I don't regret being born and I really cherish my childhood. My siblings were fun and we made many happy memories in our small, crowded home. The difficulties of poverty can leave you resentful, but they can also make you stronger, more humble, and more full of gratitude for your many blessings. We were still very blessed, never hungry, fairly comfortable, and my mother knew she had God supporting her through the trials.
My husband and I don't make the U.S.'s recommended income for raising a family, but because of my childhood, living a frugal lifestyle and finding inexpensive ways to have fun comes naturally. I hope my children can look back fondly on their own childhoods, too.

[dolanridgecommunitychurch]

I have found we think we can never afford having a child…but then we have the baby and God always provides. Now I did get question a little bit when I found out we were having twins but once again God always provides, and we were truly content.

[hayleyferguson]

Thank you brother 🥹🙏. As a mother of 14, ages 25-8 months, I just want to thank you for this message 🥰. It’s definitely been a hard journey and taken a lot of courage to stand against our decaying culture.

[MaureenTheTemp]

I wish parents knew how great a gift having siblings is. My brothers and sisters are so dear to me, and it is so wonderful to have people who also loved your parents, grew up in your neighborhood, know all your families little jokes and love the same holidays. The best gift parents can give isn't a college education or a down payment on a house, but siblings who will support each other through thick and thin after you are gone.

[coloradowestaerialarts]

Because if a parent doesn't "provide" a level of material comfort to the state's satisfaction. The state accuses the parent of neglect. I lived through it as a kid in the 90s. Constant harassment from neighbors and the school because we had second hand clothes or go on vacation all the time. No support being lower income.

[bettinak.]

I'm 32 weeks pregnant with my second baby. Please pray for my baby and my family because we are sick and I'm so worried for his health. Bless you!

Thank you for your prayers! We got well, but I delivered my baby boy at 33 weeks and 4 days. My baby is in the NICU now. (Maybe it was because of the sickness but not sure.) We are healthy and well now. Praise God that we are fine! ❤️

[JAnastasios]

It simply comes down to this. Which I think is the point he is missing. Our communities dont nearly support each other like they used to. An example is at my parish. We have a program for the reposed, to care for the body and funeral. I asked a simple question. What if a young person in a marriage with no wealth died. And the spouse was going to be homeless. Who would help? There was crickets. This is the crux of the problem. All the support and programs for the old. But never a lick of care for the young.

We live in a world where any value I gain in pay to afford a family will just be stolen by a greedy landlord who can jack up rent with no limits. Or through inflation. God forbid I loose my job and don't immediately get another. Because if I miss one to two months rent. Im homeless with my family. And lately states are pushing to make homelessness a crime. Much to the joy of the conservative members in my parish. Imagine that. Christians happy at the criminalization of the poor.

I know that in one month of no pay, I can easily become a criminal. And because there is not sufficient resources for struggling families. It means that kids become nothing more than pure risk because theres no safety net.

Or the alternative is we work ourselves to death so we can pay for kids we end up latckeying. Whats the point of kids if you have to abandon them just to pay for them?

Dont push kids if you have no intention of being there to support the familes. We have broken homes and messed up young people because the older gens sold their families out for companies. We expirienced that pain, and now don't want to perpetuate the issue. We have anxiety through the roof because our parents never taught us about the world, but then expected us to solve both their problems and ours.

Getting tired of being pressured for kids by people who run like roaches when we need help. You'll see kids when you see support and trust. Real support. Not pats on the back and a "you're never fully ready". That doesnt pay these ever growing bills.

[seeker]

I`m living in the most anti-christian nation with the most enormous tax on the planet.
I am a worker so i´v never been rich.
But i HAVE been blessed with 4 kidz, and i have allways been able to provide what they needed even when things have been extremely hard.
God DO provide, and having kidz is a permanent blessing.
If you "can´t afford", then move to another location where you will be able to.
Stop seeking to be packed like sardines in citys.

[iii-eicv]

I came "back" to church (not the protestant church I grew up in) when I realized just how right the Church is about families.

[mamalama]

AMEN Dear FR. Trenham. We have 9 children. They are all grown now. I used to tell people within my OWN family, We let go and let God! That's used to shut them up! Glory to God!!!

[catherinejoule]

Everyone has the right to CHOOSE to be a parent should they so wish.

[ranojutro]

I am Serbian Orthodox mother. I am so proud that I am Christian, that I am a wife, that I am mother of 2 amazing children, that I am a cook, a teacher, a caregiver a friend and everything else to my family, husband, children.
I would not exchange my position as a mother, wife for anything in life.
I am so thankful to God for everything 🙏

[TheGiobrucia]

Absolutely beautiful conversation. This is exactly the message that men, real men, need to hear and apply to their daily lives. None of us are without sin, however, we are forgiven, and it is up to us to forgive and to love.

[RichardDuryea]

My wife and I are starting to try for kids. Lord willing we will be blessed.

[sethabel]

The part about the coffee really hit me deep. There are so many people who worship money and look down on people who don't have much. They have no idea what blessings they are missing.