The Gift of Life Isn’t Optional… It’s Sacred
In this episode of Marriage Unhindered, host Doug Hinderer talks with Sylvia, a woman who’s been married for 25 years…with no children by choice. Sylvia explains her decision stemmed from the brokenness of the world: the evil, suffering, divorces, poverty… and, sadly, advice from her own late mother to avoid both marriage and motherhood.
While Doug listens respectfully, he doesn’t leave the beauty of life unspoken. 💬
Sylvia’s View:
-She and her husband intentionally chose not to have kids.
-They practiced Natural Family Planning and abstinence… not contraception.
-Her rationale: A fallen world full of “heartache,” “starving children,” and “unfit parents”
-She admits she never desired children, despite loving her nieces and nephews.
🙌 Doug’s Response: Respectful Disagreement with Gospel Roots
Doug responds:
“If we all stopped having children, what would happen to the world?”
That line hits home.
Doug gently suggests that it’s precisely people like Sylvia, good-hearted, conscientious Catholics, who are most needed to raise holy children in a broken world. ✝️🌍
He acknowledges life is messy, parenting is hard, and yep, you’ll travel less. But the joy? The irreplaceable connection? The legacy of love that comes through children? 💖 That’s where marriage often reaches its full, sacramental depth.
🌟 Evelyn Calls In: “We Lost a Good Mother Today”
Then enters Evelyn: married 53 years, with 4 kids, 16 grandkids, and 3 great-grandkids. She doesn’t blast Sylvia. Instead, she mourns that someone so kind could’ve been an incredible mother.
She reminds us:
“Children are the reason we held on to our marriage. We held on for dear life.”
🎉 Evelyn even had a bishop at her 50th anniversary party! Her story brings to heart the joy and grit of marriage open to life. The sacrifices are real, but so are the miracles.
The Church’s Teaching: Children Are Not Optional Accessories
Doug wraps with an important point prompted by an email:
One of the main purposes of marriage in the Church is to be open to life.
🏁 Bottom Line (With Holy Boldness!)
💡 Doug never shames Sylvia, but he never affirms her choice either. He celebrates the gift of life, the purpose of marriage, and the calling of every Catholic couple to be open to children: biological, adopted, or spiritual.
He leaves you with this conviction: Families are messy, sacred, and worth it 🙌🔥
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