I just read this post on the Girltalk blog website and found it so encouraging and funny. As I am facing the world of motherhood, I am finding out that there are so many opinions on how to care for your baby (and have your baby). Some people feel guilty if they aren’t able to live up to their expectations while others become prideful if they are… take for instance birth options – drugs or no drugs. I have been thinking about how neither way is more spiritual than the other, they are merely options that people should be educated about. The same thing happens with breast fed vs. bottle fed, or routine parenting vs. attachment parenting. Some of these things have been made into spiritual issues but truthfully I don’t think they are. One way could be physically better but that doesn’t mean the Lord isn’t blessing and using parents who chose another way and it doesn’t make them bad parents or any less loving. Anyways, I found this post as an encouragement to my own insecurities as a new mom. It is refreshing to know that life as a believer is really about the gopsel.
The Straz Train
We were married in Dec. 2007 and the Lord gave us a sweet little blessing in May of 2009. The Strazman is in ministry and the Strazwoman stays at home to raise the little Straz. We love Jesus and hope that our family brings glory to His name.
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Posted by Jamie Butts on June 3, 2009 at 3:33 pm
This was a good post, Jen. I think some of these minor choices become MAJOR (ex: where someone is left feeling guilty about something that is not sin). At any rate, I appreciate this post. For now, I’m an epidural girl (although I hope I can wait until a little later on in the process to get it) so I’m glad we can still be friends. J/K! I admire you! But, you are right… guilt and pride can be found on either side of all of these issues, from cloth diapers to how-low-can-you-go on your grocery budgets, etc. Hopefully, we are women who are striving for godliness and knowing Christ above all. I know you are an encouragement to moms around you. I know God will use you to encourage those who are dealing with guilt and level out those who may be dealing with pride. As he teaches you during this season, it’s exciting to learn from you and know that He will use (as He always does) the truth you have learned to bless others.
Love you, sister.
Posted by Elaine on June 3, 2009 at 5:30 pm
How funny! I ran across the same post yesterday and was so relieved. I have cried quite a bit during the baby blues phase over making the “right” decisions. Jason finally called two of his friends and asked for their advise and then told me that was what we we’re going to do. He also told me to stop reading so much if it was going to make me worry!
We should get together some time. I’ll try to give you a call soon.
Posted by teamstraz on June 3, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Hey Jamie, I was close to getting an epidural myself. I am excited about ya’lls little one and can’t wait to hear how he/she comes out!
We should definitely hang out… I really want to meet Susanna!
Elaine – Mark is always making fun of me when I tell him I learned something new about the baby because of reading baby books (he always asks, “did you get that from the baby book” even if it isn’t baby related). I have definitely cried too over not knowing what to do.