~The Least of These~

25-Apr-2008 - Mirror...

Mirror by BarlowGirl

Mirror, Mirror on the wall; Have I got it?
'Cause Mirror you've always told me who I am
I’m finding It’s not easy to be perfect
So sorry, you won’t define me
Sorry, you don’t own me

Chorus
Who are you to tell me
that I’m less than what I should be?
Who are you? Who are you? yeah yeah
I don’t need to listen
to the list of things I should do
I won’t try; no I won’t try

Mirror I am seeing a new reflection
I’m looking into the eyes of He who made me and
To Him I have beauty beyond compare
I know He defines me yeah yeah

I love these lyrics. It reminds me that I need to be careful about WHAT or WHOM I allow to define me.

This past week, in some of my internet browsing, I have realized that there is a new or maybe not so new "legalism" that is rearing its head.

It's not about wearing dresses or headcoverings, no, this time it's about other things. It's about what you eat, or which specific ingredients you allow or disallow in your family's diet. It's about how "natural" or "organic" or "healthy" your food choices are.

Of course, I'm the first to admit that I think a healthy lifestyle is wonderful and so very important. But I find that once we begin using that as a measuring stick to help us decide if we can be accepting of another person or family, then it is just the same as any other form of legalism. A mom's worth is not any greater, just because she prepares her family's meal from the (literally) ground up, so to speak, by grinding the grains, baking her own bread, brewing her own kombucha tea, and preparing the kefir smoothies using the ever elusive kefir grains (that one can find if she looks hard enough, or has the "right" circle of friends, where she might find someone willing to share). A mom's worth also is not any less if she opens that box of Hamburger Helper to start the night's fare.

I'm tired of reading blogs and comments that imply that folks who allow their children to eat a Snicker's bar are obviously just bad parents and the next thing you know those kids are going to be hardened criminals. It just ain't so, folks.

Take heart, mom. Yes, of course, your family's health is of the utmost importance. Of course, it is your job as mom to get a healthy variation of foods on the table for your crew. But you are not a slave to the Nourishing Traditions cookbook, nor does anything about that kind of lifestyle "define" your worth as a mom. So, you buy your bread and when you make tea, it doesn't include the use of a scoby. So, you actually make Hamburger Helper once a week. So, you enjoy a Mountain Dew a few times a week. No, those choices aren't going to put you in the nutrition Hall of Fame, but they also aren't the defining factor in whether or not the pearly gates will open unto you when it's your time to get there...

Let's stop using our own strengths and "good choices" to beat other moms over the head. It doesn't make us look any better. It makes us look like elitists and snooty witches. It reveals our own pride and that's not of the Lord. Let's encourage one another in the raising and loving of our children. Of course, we'll share our healthy recipes. Of course, we'll share pertinent information about natural, healthy lifestyle choices. But let's do it in love. Let's do it in a way that edifies one another.

Now, where did I hide that bag of chocolates?????

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25-Apr-2008 - I don't know about you.....but.........

Posted by Anonymous

I admit to being awed by mothers that actually take the time for their families to eat so healthy all the time. It's what everyone should strive for. I wouldn't beat up or put down anyone with such dedication. I certainly wouldn't call them "elitists" or "snooty witches"

While I am not one of them...I certainly am more than a tad envious and not ashamed to admit it.

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