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Motherhood

“One of the Most Important Jobs in the World”

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Renee Brown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh the joy of motherhood!!! I totally love being a wife and mother. Allison and Matt are truly a blessing from God and I love my family so much.  It has often been said, “Motherhood is the toughest job in the world.”  Although I would not change being a mother for anything, I agree with this statement.  Motherhood rocks but it is a very difficult job.

 

While researching the word mother, I came across the following definition; “something that is an extreme or ultimate example of its kind especially in terms of scale,” (see http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mother).In my opinion this is a phenomenal way to define motherhood. A good mother must always seek to be an excellent example for her child or children.  Many times mothers are the first and best teachers children will have. We make sacrifices that only a mother will.  We nurture their intellectual and spiritual growth.  We cook, clean, feed, play with them, provide discipline, encouragement, and essentially establish structure in their lives.  Of course, this is not to down play the role of a father. Fathers are extremely important in a child’s life too and good fathers also provide these things. However, today’s blog entry focuses the importance of motherhood.

 

Many children in the United States grow up in single parent homes, with only a mother on which to rely.  You know sometimes, people get the wrong idea, when it comes to motherhood.  Many times people view it as if it’s a piece of cake, especially when they see stay at home moms.  Often times, when I tell people I’m a stay at home mom, I get a look like, “girl you’ve got it made.”  And I’m thinking you just don’t have a clue, half of the time I feel like a “maid.”  It takes so much prayer, time and effort to raise a child properly and it would be much easier to send my child to a daycare. Now, I realize that many women don’t have the option of being a stay at home mom.  Perhaps this is why there is a general misunderstanding of what stay at home mothers do. Most stay at home moms I know, are not sitting in a bed of ease with nothing to do all day but watch TV and pamper themselves. Normally, we (stay at home moms) work twenty-four seven. There’s rarely time to take a sick or vacation day. As a matter fact, many times I don’t get a break until my hubby comes home.  The bottom line is, no matter how you slice it, all mothers have to work hard and we should support and encourage one another.

 

For all you single ladies contemplating having a baby before marriage, may I offer you a word of advise? Don’t do it!! Motherhood is no walk in the park and there is a huge difference between seeing someone else’s cute baby and having one of your own. If you’ve already made that choice, believe me, I’m not condemning or judging you. God can help you in whatever situation you’re in and you can still be a good mother.  Your job just may be a bit harder. In my opinion, being a mother is much easier when you have good supportive husband.

 

I tip my hat to mothers who have to work and single mothers who are trying their best to raise their children well. My mom was a single mother for most of our lives and I watched her make tremendous sacrifices for us.  In part, it is because of her sacrifices, I am the person I am today. I want to encourage all mothers, no matter what your circumstances may be, to never underestimate the importance of your role or how it will affect your children’s lives in the future.  Let us train up our children to be respectful, God fearing, productive human beings.  Let us not put the blame on the school systems, if our children aren’t performing well academically, but rather modify our parenting styles to provide the resources they need to achieve excellence.  Let us not even blame their fathers because guess what?  We chose their dads. Most importantly, let us pray for our children, admonish them to live godly Christian lives and teach them biblical principals, which they’ll be able to use throughout eternity.  After all, motherhood is one of the most important jobs we’ll ever have.

 

“That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Titus 2: 4-5  

 

 

What is one piece of advice you would give a new mother?

Weight loss is such a sensitive subject for most people, especially women. I think it’s because most of us are uncomfortable with our weight. The question is “Why?”  Why are we so self-conscious about our weight?  I want you to take a minute to think about this question?

 

I don’t know about you but I feel as though women are constantly bombarded by images in the media of what we should look like, and frankly I don’t care for it! I’ve decided to accept what God says about me, rather than what the media or anybody else has to say.  After all, he’s our creator.   

 

So what exactly does God have to say about our bodies? Psalm 139:14 states, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”  Isn’t it great to know that no matter what body shape you have, God says you are wonderfully made.  How dare we think any differently?  

 

This is not an excuse to live an unhealthy lifestyle. If anything, it should make us want to take better care of our God given bodies.  There is no doubt God wants us to live healthy lives.  III John 1:2 states, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.” When we don’t embrace a health lifestyle, we are considered bad stewards over our bodies.  

 

Today, I want to encourage you; first, to accept and believe what God says about your body.  Secondly, live a healthier lifestyle.  If you’re at an unhealthy weight, talk to your doctor about how to make necessary changes to your diet and exercise routine to promote healthy weight loss.  Start loving the skin you’re in now and it will be easier to achieve your future weight loss goals.  In my next, blog entry I’m going to write about my person battles with weight loss and the things I’ve found that work for me.

 

In terms of body image, do you think the media is a negative influence on young ladies and women? If so, why?

 

Weight Loss

“Loving the Skin You’re In”

Posted by Renee Brown on October 14, 2011

 

 

Although, I’m not a weight loss expert, I’ve had plenty of experience with weight loss. It’s through these experiences, I’ve discovered what works for me and what doesn’t. Today, I would like to share a few weight loss tips that have helped me in achieving my weight loss goals.  I hope they’ll work for you too!

 

1. Pray – Ask God to give you the strength, wisdom, and discipline you need to loose the weight and take care of your body.

 

2. Never Give Up – This is so important in reaching any goal.  You must be determined. If at first you don’t succeed try, try, try until you do!

 

3. Exercise at least 3 times a week – I know it can be difficult to take time out and exercise but exercising is so healthy and it speeds up the weight loss process. It’s very difficult to lose weight without exercising, even if you’re eating healthy. If you’re a beginner, I would recommend trying Leslie Sansone’s Walk Away the Pounds.  It is awesome and anybody (no matter your age or size) can do it.  It’s just walking!

 

4. Find an exercise partner – If you struggle with staying motivated to exercise, having an exercise partner is the way to go.

 

 

5. Ditch the soda and/or sugary drinks – These drinks are loaded with bad calories.  For example, a 12 oz. can of coca-cola has 140 calories.  If you drink less of these types of beverages, you can actually eat more of the foods you like.

 

6. Let go of empty calories during the week – Foods such as chips, snack cakes, and candy bars have very little nutrition but are high in calories, which means after consuming them, you’ll still be hungry because your body needs a certain amount of nutrients each day. Instead, choose fruits and nuts for snacks. They are much healthier.

 

7. Splurge on Weekends – Deprivation is no fun.  Make sure you enjoy at least one treat on the weekend.  I basically eat whatever I want on the weekends but I try to watch my portion sizes.

 

8. Celebrate Small Successes – Any success is good!  So what if you set a goal of loosing 2 lbs in a week but you only lost 1.  That’s okay.  You still lost weight so celebrate!!!! I’m even learning to thank God when my weight stays the same.  At least, I didn’t gain!!!

 

9. Set realistic short-term goals – In my opinion, this is the key to not feeling overwhelmed.  For example, your goal may be to loose 5 lbs in a month instead of 15lbs.  It’s much easier to stay encouraged if you loose 3 of 5, then if you only loose 3 of 15.

 

10. Don’t take weight loss advice from someone who doesn’t practice what they preach! This may sound harsh but if you think about it really makes since. You wouldn’t take advice on giving birth from a person who has never given birth, so why would you take weight loss advice from a person who lives an unhealthy lifestyle?

 

 

Do you have any weight loss tips, you’d like to share?

 

10 Helpful Weight Loss Tips

Posted by Renee Brown on October 17, 2011

 

As women, we may find it difficult to spend quality time with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sometimes we are so busy taking care of other people and things that we lack personal prayer and bible time.  I believe when we are so busy we are unable to spend quality time with God, we are too busy!  By “quality time” I mean, specific time alone in which you spend with God; praying, reading and meditating on his word.  This does not include corporate worship, which is what one does when attending church services and/or prayer meetings.

 

David said in Psalm 63:1, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee.” There are so many benefits to beginning your day by spending time with God. I’ve discovered that when I start my day with prayer and reading the word of God, it equips me to deal with any challenges I may face. It’s so refreshing to be able to commune with the Father early in the morning while my mind is fresh and not weighted down from the hustle and bustle of the day.   

 

There have been so many instances in which God has ministered to me on a personal level during my prayer time.  He has shown me areas in my life that need improvement and he has taught me how to apply principles of the bible to make those improvements.  At times, he has even shown me the intents of people who did not mean me well and gave me wisdom of how to deal with them in love. What I’m learning is that spending personal time with God is for my benefit.  It helps me in every aspect of my life.  It helps me to stay focused on what is important and that is ultimately pleasing God.  

 

I want to encourage you to make God your number one priority.  Try your best to start your day by spending quality time with him.  I’m a witness if you place God first everything else in your life will be in its rightful place.

 

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

 

Do you think it’s better to spend time with God early in the morning?

“The Importance of Spending Quality Time with God”

Posted by Renee Brown on October 25, 2011