Judging Mommies...

Here is our photo for December 3...I am loving this challenge! My dad gave these shoes to our son last Christmas, and they finally fit. Thanks, Granddaddy!

This is a great book for toddlers, published by David C. Cook. Our little guy loves it.

I saw a picture posted on Facebook earlier this week, and it really got me thinking about judgement...especially in motherhood. 

 

As humans, we have the tendency to judge. As Christians, sadly, it can really rare its ugly head. As mothers, well...only God can give us the strength to not do it. Parenting is such a personal AND public profession. We privately agree with our husbands how we are going to raise our children, and then society gets to watch as we try and follow through with our decisions on a daily basis. In our hearts, we truly feel like that we we have chosen to parent is the best way. That's why we make the decisions that we make. So, what happens when we see a mother handling her child differently than we would? What if her child is completely out of control in the grocery store, while she is scrolling through her phone? What if she's letting her child drink a Starbucks just so she can get through a Target run? What if she threatens a spanking, and you watch her not hold to her word, again and again? Are you quick to judge her abhorrent parenting skills? Or, are you quick to give her the benefit of the doubt and send some prayer and compassion her way?

Confession? The three examples I just gave are from my own life :-) Don't worry, the Starbucks was just a steamer (steamed milk with a little vanilla flavoring), but it was a bribe given to allow me to get through my shopping list. The other two examples, and countless others, are mistakes that I make in parenting, especially when I am pre-occupied with "storms" (see picture above). Storms can be big (a chronic illness, a traveling husband, a family crisis), or storms can be small (a teething toddler, a never-ending to-do list, period cramps!). But let's be honest, storms will affect our parenting skills. We can hope that they won't, but they do on a daily basis. And, mommies, just as you and I have storms, every other mother does as well.

Let's be so careful to not get in the habit of judging the parenting skills of other mothers. That momma in line at the grocery store? We don't know her story. Maybe she had a horrendous example of mothering when she was a little girl. Maybe her husband is deployed, she has three kids under five, and she hasn't had a break in weeks. Maybe one of her children has a behavior disability, and this is actually a good day. Maybe she just found out a parent is terminally ill. We can't know any of that, but we do know to pray for her. Pray for patience, for discernment, and that she may be overflowing in love for her children. As mommies, we need to stick together. No more raised eyebrows at women who are in the same season of life as us! And trust me, this is as much for me as for any woman reading this post.

I have been humbled lately! We had a very sweet, happy, and well-behaved baby boy...until we hit toddler-hood. All I can say is, are you kidding me right now? As many times as I raised my eyebrows at other mommies' lack of ability to control their children, I can feel the judging arrows being hurled at me every time we step out of this house. I know it's a phase. I know he's just learning. But, it is a challenging time...to say the least. Isn't it interesting how God can use our children as an instrument to teach us humility, compassion, and patience? 

Let me leave you with this verse today. Today, and everyday, be blessed!

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you...For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:37-38

MMSM #60

It's that time of year when many of us are printing pictures, designing calendars with our sweet baby's faces, putting together electronic scrapbooks, or just shopping online. Well, before you check out, don't miss a coupon deal! Simply Google "coupon code for ___________," (i.e. Walgreens, Snapfish, Walmart, Personalization Mall, Kohl's, Amazon, etc.) and see what pops up. Most of the time, a valuable and valid coupon code is lurking around on the internet for whatever site you are ordering from. I can't remember the last time I ordered something online without a code. Good luck!