Mom Enough?

Ok- everyone is talking about it.  I might as well join it.  Time magazine released a cover recently with a woman standing up breastfeeding he 3 year old son with the caption "Are You Mom Enough?" This has struck a huge controversy, as was the purpose of the cover,  They wanted to pit mom vs mom and most importantly to make us judge and feel like we are not good enough- or worse feel better than other moms.  


Let us look at the biblical implications of this- 
Proverbs 27:4   Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?     
Psalm 10:4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.  


When we put ourselves in the categories- us vs. them,  we are either jealous, or feeling proud. Neither of these thoughts are appropriate nor do they honor God.  We must be careful with our emotions.  The war between mothers is outrageous in our society.  Stay at home vs Working, breastfeeding vs. bottle-feeding, co-sleeping vs. cry-it-outers, etc.  The word says in Hebrews 3:13" But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."  Sin is deceitful- it tells us it is ok to feel prideful or jealous.  It tells us that we are not as good as others and makes us hate ourselves or others.  Sin is a downward spiral that leads us further and further away from God.  


Now, I do want to say that breastfeeding is a completely natural and wonderfully bonding thing between a mother and her child.  To demonize a woman for doing so is misguided.  That is not necessarily the controversy here- it is the extended breastfeeding.  I am writing from the perspective of a woman who breastfed 3 babies and extended breastfed (any time past 1 year) 2 of those babies.  My babies self weaned at 15-18 months.  Breastfeeding is not harmful to a child and it is in each mother's own rights to discern when she will stop breastfeeding, what is the best interest for each of her children.  It is also the mother's choice to decide against breastfeeding- she has the right to decide either way and loves her children just as much.  There are bad moms out there- but they are the ones who beat their children, abuse their children, neglect their children, and do sadistic and horrible things.  They are not the women who are simply trying to raise their children to the best of their abilities.  


Being a mother is hard, it is thankless, and it is amazing!!! Being a mother is the most glorious gift that God can give. But as women, mothers or not, we need to STOP criticizing women on their mothering.  STOP treating each other as the enemies.  We need to lift each other up, encourage one another and be supporting to each other.


Here are my three challenges blessings!!   :)