Several days ago when I did our Family Stats post, sharing how many diapers we’ve changed (42,000), weight I’ve gained throughout eight pregnancies (320 pounds), annual loads of laundry (650) and more, I forgot the best one!

We have eight children. Just suppose that each of our descendents have eight children. What would that look like over the next couple hundred years?

• 1 generation: We would have 64 grandchildren.
• 2 generations: We would have 512 great-grandchildren.
• 3 generations: We would have 4,096 great, great-grandchildren.

WOW! But we could keep going:

• 4 generations: 32,768
• 5 generations: 262,144
• 6 generations: 2,097,512

Now before we faint with worry of how we’d manage to buy Christmas presents for everybody or host everyone together for a Thanksgiving dinner, let’s look past that and look at what a tremendous gift and opportunity this would be.

Iron Man and I are two people. We try to impact the world for the glory of God, and do our best to raise our children to do the same. If, by the grace of God, they take the path we’re leading them to follow, that’s ten souls living for Christ. Awesome! But can you imagine if each person from each generation takes their faith just as seriously? Within only six generations, that could potentially be over 2 million souls living for Christ. Now we’re talking serious impact!

Let’s not miss the wonderful ministry opportunity that we have within our own homes!