Over the years i've mastered the art of having an entire conversation without really revealing anything deep or private. I'm a guarded person but for the first time...the veil (Pun intended) is coming down.
My heart breaks when I see moms so passionately putting others down for not breast feeding or for vaccinating, or NOT Vaccinating. We see memes and even commercials trying to bridge these gaps and I for one love those!!
I breast fed, I bottle fed, I home birthed, I had a c-section, I vaccinated, I don't vaccinate.....I "Cried it out", I co-slept.... and I can tell you that I did ALL THESE THINGS...having had two sets of kids, I can say that I had a "Do-over". God is good!!!
Did my decisions make much of a difference?? Sure..some did , some didn't but I don't think my way is the ONLY Way, or the right way. Why?? Because parenting is a very private, personal thing. Why can't we just treat it that way??
It's OK if you breast fed...and hated it.
It's ok if you didn't co-sleep
It's ok if you gave your kid formula.....
IT's ALL OK!!! Your children will love you and be happy. If you love your husband , children and are trying your best...you're already a WINNER!! SUPER MOM!!!
Here is where my sadness really comes in.....
When I see women in the church doing the same thing....
Now...it's not ONLY about the stuff I mentioned above... Now it's about more "Holier" things...like, how you dress...how you educate....etc.
I see such ripping apart of people...moms who feel inferior because they don't wear "Skirts Only"...or homeschool their children.
My recent encounter was with head coverings.
For some reason the Lord keeps bringing me back to the Scripture in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16
2 Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife[fn] is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wife[fn] who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6 For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.[fn]11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him,15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.
In my research on this scripture, i've had some very firm messages. I'm really surprised at the disdain I see with these scriptures and even the *mention* that I'm researching this. Women are actually upset with me for not taking the common teachings of the church *Today* and accepting that. Why?? Are we suppose to do that?? Are we suppose to just follow what everyone is doing?? Or, are we suppose to follow the Lord??
I can NOT study these scriptures without questioning the need for head coverings. I have read theological articles from BOTH SIDES and still walk away not sure of this. Which is OK...it's OK Not to have all the answers.
If I can HONESTLY say that i'm not sure, how can everyone else be so sure?? Again, this is something the Holy Spirit must lead people on.
In the past when the Lord brings me back to something over and over, I find that He is trying to tell me something. What?? I have no idea but the last time this happened, I ended up having two more children, that I thought I would never have. I am truly blessed to have these two. If you would of asked me in my 20's and 30's if I would have children in my late 30's and early 40's? I would of said, "NO WAY"...what i've learned is to NEVER say "never".
Why can't we just encourage each other in our walk?? Why do people get so defensive over these scriptures?? It's one thing to disagree, i'm ok with that, but I see a defense that rises....which makes me think that perhaps i'm on the right track. I've had women use the scripture "Weaker Christian" in regards to these things and I think it's sad. VERY SAD. Are *They* the weaker ones?? They are setting themselves apart from this world and *They're* The weaker ones?? We use that scripture to put others down and that's NOT how it was meant to be used.
Is it submission that women have an issue with??
I've had Christian women feel inferior because they don't homeschool... Because they're divorced, because they don't wear skirts all the time and eat all organic.
**I am probably guilty of making someone feel that way. I am so so sorry. Please forgive me.**
We should be lifting each other up and NOT pulling each other down. Pointing each other to the ONLY one who can give them the answers they need.
Here's where I get real.....
Do I *want* to wear a head covering?? NO!! NO absolutely not...why?? My honest reply would be because I don't want to stick out. I don't...there...i've said it. You would think that with homeschooling, I would stick out but believe it or not..I don't . There are TONS of homeschoolers, even here in NY. I do NOT want to stick out... I don't want to do anything that is going to call attention to myself. Which is probably why the Lord has me researching this.
I'm writing this even before i've made a full decision on head coverings. Because it's actually an act of submission, I have my husband reading all the information and he will be making the final decision.
So if you see me with a head covering and you're offended by it. Take it up with my husband.
God Bless,
Laura
