Rightthinker: Are You an Ambassador For Christian Motherhood?

This article today is especially directed for mama's with several children, or with a few children who are closely spaced. The reason is, these are the mother's who are particularly "targeted" for stereotypes.

It seems I'm frequently in situations that place me in a spot to either "hush-up" and allow the discussion about motherhood/parenting to cast a very negative and culturally stereotypical light, OR to quickly and silently pray that the Holy Spirit will fill my mouth with humility, truth and blessing reports of parenting a large family.

We are continually presented with opportunities to be ambassadors for Christian motherhood.? The naysayers, the comments, the questions, the stares; they are all moments for us to shine for Christ.? The stereotypical, not-lost-on-even-Christians among us, assumptions and worldly views of children are all a reflection of selfishness and modern secular views of parenting..not God's views!? When we go out, even to church, do we do our best to present motherhood as a blessed and sacred calling, or do we fit the usual model of disheveled, upset, running late, burdened, feminist off-shoots, simply along for the unfortunate ride with out of control little pains-in-the-rear?

How to Shine as an Ambassador for Christian Motherhood:

• Pray before you leave the house, that your outing would be a time that would allow Christ to show through you and your family

• Put a smile on..a genuine and real smile..fake shows..a smile can change your attitude from the inside out
• Don't go anywhere you don't need to go.? If you change your lifestyle from go, go, go, to only going when it's something you genuinely want or need to do, you will not feel like you are spending your life in the car
• When someone makes a comment about your family size/spacing, or a negative comment about children, resist the urge to make a hasty remark back!? Have some replies that are telling about your true heart and spirit, at the ready for these times.? So, when a cashier says, "Wow, you sure have your hands full", you can say, "Yes, some days I certainly do.? Thankfully, the Lord never expects me to do it on my own!"? I could think of about 50 things my flesh would like to respond to people with their ignorant comments, but it's a lot better to come up with things that point to the Lord for your convictions and lifestyle.
• Incorporate your discipline at home to include the car and anywhere you are going!? Ensure you are ready, at any moment, to follow through with discipline, no matter where you are.? If you say it, you must do it.? Threats are pointless, and undermine your authority.? You can teach your children to not believe a word you say by threatening!
• When in a conversation with another woman (this happens to me just about anytime I go somewhere these days) and she is talking negatively about her role, use the time to show her how you view your role differently, without trying to convince her of your own views! ? Simply expressing how your children stretch you to become more selfless..or to be more like Christ, is enough to turn her mind and heart thinking, without being overbearing.
• Don't try to do more during an outing than what you know is best for every member of the family that is with you!? Do not drag baby out at naptime....you will regret it and be frazzled.? Do not skip meals with the hopes you will be home in time to eat late.? Don't push bedtimes back unless absolutely worth the cost.??
• Ensure your older children are in charge of assisting their younger siblings.? If you stop 15 times in the store to get a toddler and a baby something from the diaper bag, chances are, the trip will be long.? Allow flexibility when you go out, yet put another child in charge of helping with some basic needs to ensure the time out is a reasonable length of time.

I'm sure there are many more you ladies can think of.? Simply understanding before we leave the home, that we are a walking billboard for motherhood, truly helps to direct our focus onto who we may impact when we are out.? Prayer, patience and a hearts desire to see more women embrace their roles starts with women like YOU, showing them why they'd ever want to in the first place!

God Bless you on this Fabulously Feminine Friday.

Source: http://andreamomm.blogspot.com/2011/09/are-you-ambassador-for-christian.html

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