Have compassion, not indignation

Maybe its having a 3rd child that is incredibly cute.  I don't know.  Lately, I've had more women open up to me that they would like another child/more children but that their spouse does not want any.

This goes for Catholic and non-Catholic women, alike.  And the majority of them do not have husbands 'unselfishly' getting a vasectomy.  Oh no, they are the ones on some sort of pill or implant.  They are the ones dealing with the side effects.  Some have been told they should not have any after 2 C-sections or any other excuse.  They are limited.  And they do not like it. 

These are women I've known for a while.  The average woman on the street would not admit that.  Only a good friend who holds your placid newborn 3rd child is able to sigh wistfully and admit it to you.  Of course, it is followed by the standard, "oh, I have no regrets" or "we're happy to be done with diapers."  But that can't cover the regret and the hurt. 

So the next time you get into a discussion of birth control with someone you don't know well - or even with someone you think you do - be the gentle, compassionate wittness to your way of life.  They are hurting.  They need it.  I've found that my indignation can make them angrier and push them away.  They need our friendship and our prayers.