Diatribe

It will be a great day when I can shrug off the glare of another mother who disapproves of my parenting. Women, I don't think we realize just how much our judgement of others registers on our faces. Not only does it hurt feelings, but it causes unwarranted stress and anxiety. Imagine what a smile of encouragement would do instead. I usually get these glares when my kids are engaged in an activity that the onlookers consider "unsafe". With the post-modern, protect-your-kids-from -getting-a-scratch-ever, stupidity rampant in our generation, mothers have become absolute freaks. The problem is that they are obsessive about stuff that doesn't matter and out of ignorance, they let their kids do stuff that will actually cause significant harm. So Mothers, when you have a knowledge of pediatric trauma including morbidity and mortality statistics as extensive as mine, and you have successfully raised 6 boys, then disapprove as much as you like!

Quiet peaceful heart

You dont' wonder that I slept little. But i had such a comfortable quiet night in my own heart. - Mary Slessor I have to remember as we bring the children home to love them that my strength for living comes from God, not from 8 hrs of sleep. I am often concerned about my sleep. It is a good think to get enough sleep and you should be disciplined enough to do what you should to get that sleep. But often for me it becomes an idol. I tell myself how I won't be able to function the next day. Or when the next day comes I allow myself to speak sharply and be impatient using my lack of sleep as an excuse. My strength comes from the Lord. There will be times with new kids in the house that I won't get enough sleep. I do not need to fear those times. "The Lord is my Light and my Salvation...whom shall I fear?" I must not live in anxiety. I must rely on God to give me the strength in the moment to do his will, rather than act out of my own devices. It is something that I must practice because I don't think I'm very good at it right now.