Luther on changing nappies

"If natural reason looks thus at married life, which is what the heathen follow, at the point where they want to be the smartest, then it turns up the nose and says: Ah, do I have to rock the baby, wash the diapers, make beds, smell stink, stay awake during the night, care for it when it cries, treat its rashes and sores, afterward take care of the wife, support her, work, have cares here, cares there, do that, do this, suffer that, suffer this, and all of what else the marriage estate teaches about what is disgusting and wearying. Oh, should I get caught like that? Oh, you miserable, poor man, if you have taken a wife, phooey, phooey, with the misery and messiness. It is better to remain unattached and, without troubles, to lead a peaceable life....

But what does the Christian faith have to say about this? It opens his eyes and sees all these small, insignificant, and despised works through the Spirit and is most sure that they are all decorated with godly pleasure as with costly gold and precious stones and says: Ah, oh God, since I am sure that you have created me as a human being and have produced this child through my body, I thus know for sure, as well, that it pleases you best of all, and I confess to you that I am not worthy to rock the little one, to wash his diapers, and to care for his mother. How have I come to be worthy of this without merit, that I have become sure of how I can serve your creature and your loving will? Oh, how gladly I will do such things, even such things as could be less important yet and more despised. Therefore neither frost nor heat, no amount of effort or work will grieve me, since I am sure that such work is pleasing to you."

(The Estate of Marriage, LW 45:39-40)