Good morning. I hope this letter finds you safe and well. The storms have rolled through and first reports have been good that everyone is ok. Brought in some cold weather, that is for sure. I am sitting here shivering. Brrrr. So I guess I am not going to ramble as much as usual because I am freezing and ready to get in a warm area. Haha. Lucky you!
Today I was thinking about how we often talk about each other. (Yes, last week was about my big mouth. Sort of a “part two”). How we are quick to judge and criticize others. Surprisingly, lately, the topic has been motherhood of all things. I have heard one mother talk about another’s mothering skills, and then yet another mother talk about another and so on down the line. Well, I will be the first to admit that I made mistakes. Mistakes that I wish I could correct. Some, well, some were my fault. Some I did not know better. (My fault - the Jumangi thing and well, maybe the clown thing. Not my fault - the dentist and her papoose board, the mean nurse at the podiatrist) But I did the very best I could. And I think every woman in the world gave me advice. I listened to some and then not to some. I think as a mother (or a father) that you do the very best that you can. Could I criticize someone else’s parenting? Of course. But who am I to judge???!!! I admit my mistakes and I am just so thankful that my child grew up so well despite me. So if you are a mother, you love your child, right? So go with your feelings. Do not worry about what others think or say. You know your child. Love them. Make a mistake here or there. Its ok. If you are another mother or even a friend, do not judge - do not second guess them. Parenting is like everything else. You know yourself. That whole phrase about walking a mile in my shoes, hey! It is an excellent phrase for any number of situations, including parenting. J So….. Instead of criticizing, its ok to give advice. I cant tell you that person will take it. That is up to them. But you did your part. And that is where your part ends. Ultimately, parenting is the parents choice. <<<Important to note here that I am talking about regular old parenting - physical or emotional abuse is a whole different matter and should be treated as such. If you suspect someone of abuse, you are welcome to jump in there all you like. >>
Prayer for the Week:
Dear Lord, please help us to leave our judgments behind and open our hearts to others. Amen.
Bible Verse for the Week:
“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother‘s way. ” Romans 14:13
Bible Fun for the Week:
Matching - Parents and Children
1. Abraham a. Abimelech
2. Bathsheba b. Cain
3. Eve c. David
4. Gideon d. Ham
5. Ahaz e. Hezekiah
6. Hannah f. Ishmail
7. Isaac g. Jacob
8. Jehoshaphat h. Jehu
9. Jesse I. Jonathan
10. Leah j. Joseph
11. Noah k. Joshua
12. Nun l. Reuben
13. Rachel m. Samuel
14. Saul n. Solomon
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