This is a glorious morning.
Bright sunshine first thing in the morning. It's a great way to start the day. It's the fourth day in a row here for us and is unusual this time of the year. Michigan has had a mild winter this year...and I have to say even though I enjoy the snows and the beauty it brings; I have so enjoyed hardly wearing the winter coat this year!
A thought for this day I'll share while we enjoy the sunshine.
Be an encouragement to young mothers with little ones. It can make such a difference.
My daughter has two babies close in age and is always encouraged by those with a positive attitude she encounters when she is out and about and others see her with two little ones in the cart at the grocery store.
For instance, older couples are always sweet and adorable and tell her she will never be sorry she had her babies close and that she will never be sorry for having more children.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, younger people tend to think they have a right to be quite outspoken and opinionated about her having two children so close! This without, of course, realizing that she was surprised and fortunate to even become pregnant on her own for a second time--it happened against many odds.
When we make comments about someone's family we need to realize that we do NOT know their story. Jamie and Thad struggled with infertility to get their first child. The second was a surprise and yet she was a very, very welcomed one!
If you see a grocery cart with two little ones in it and a hard-working mom trying to get her groceries, don't say anything to her UNLESS it can be KIND and ENCOURAGING or helpful!
At church yesterday, a sweet lady from the choir made a point of coming to my daughter to tell her that she loved Audrey's red hair. This lady saw Audrey from the choir loft and said to herself: "There's another redhead like me!"
And she took the time and cheerfully came to my daughter after church and gave her an encouraging word. Young mothers can use all the love they can get.
It can be a bit lonely sometimes to stay at home with little ones, yet it is the MOST valuable line of work in the whole world! Look for ways to encourage and love young moms in any way that you can see!
Being so far away from my daughter and grandchildren, and not being able to be immediately available for in-person, in range encouragement to touch and love them, I am especially sensitive for how we treat our young mothers that are doing the hard thing, the right thing, staying in their children's lives on a daily basis by choosing to stay home and raise their babies themselves.
I have a little experience with this because my last baby was spaced far behind my first kids. The most hurtful comments came from, of all people, those at church!
"Did you PLAN it this way?!"
At church one elderly man (who, according to his age and white hair should have indicated more wisdom!) said to me:
"What were you THINKING?!"
(I was ONLY 35! I often wonder what these same men would have said to Abraham and Sarah in the Bible times!)
Another elderly man at work said:
"Are you nuts!? You already have a boy and a girl, what would you want to have another baby for?!"
It was appalling!
I know that many of you agree with me, and I know I have the kindest of blog readers--yet just wanted to raise awareness of this issue so that we can be more sensitive--it's actually not any of our business as to how a family spaces their children!
If we can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all!
Off my soapbox now, this sunshine is showing me, very clearly, all the work I must do around here today!
I want you to have a sunny Monday, and remember to try to be an encouragement if you can. Our words and our actions can make (or break!) someone's day!
I want you to have a sunny Monday, and remember to try to be an encouragement if you can. Our words and our actions can make (or break!) someone's day!
