Having children.
Having a root canal.
Pretty much one in the same.......
Both will drive you closer and more dependent on Christ for your sanity
That definitely has NOT been my experience.
In fact, I oftentimes (including earlier today) ask my children (in a playful manner) if they're sorry for being so beautiful in that it's literally more than my heart can bear at times. I've had a lot of bad experiences in my life, but my children have been an absolute blessing (even though our relationships get momentarily fractured at times). If I could somehow turn back time and relive the times with my children when they were smaller, then I'd jump at that opportunity in a heartbeat.