Article Frenzy

Hey.

Wow- so many interesting articles posted on Facebook recently!  It seems that lots of good conversations are happening these days about real life issues.  (Maybe I'm just paying more attention.)  Whatever the case may be, I read three intriguing articles today.  Thought I'd share them with you, and maybe a little bit of my thought processes as I read them.

First:  Modesty Wars

Ok, this is really nothing new, but it seems that a recent blog post by some teenage boys' mom sparked a fire on this topic.  People have been battling both ways: thanking the mom for speaking up or shaming her for being judgmental instead of loving towards the girls she called out.

I thought that this article was "fair and balanced" and looked at the heart of the issue.  I resonated with the point the writer made about many Christian girls feeling shame toward their bodies- I can attest to that!  Growing up, I understood why we had dress codes at youth group swimming events.  I was ok with that.

But, when I was in a situation where it was appropriate for me to wear a bikini, like our family vacations, or even my honeymoon, I felt insecure because it had been ingrained in my head as a no-no for so long.  And I just refuse to believe that God intended me to feel that way when I was with my brand spankin' new husband.

Anyway, maybe check out that article if you have any interest on the subject.

Next: Why you are teaching your daughter to be a mean girl

Bullying has had significant time in the headlines over the past few years.  With social media taking out the face-to-face aspect of it, it's easier than ever.  This writer talks about bullying she received in high school.  Several years later, she passed one of the bullies in the grocery store, both of them with their daughters, and thinking it was all behind them, said hello, only to find that nothing had changed at all.

Growing up with a two daughter, no son family, I always envisioned the same for myself when I was a mom.  I wanted two girls, just like Katie and me.  I wanted them to be best friends.  However, more and more, I'm thinking this is not the best scenario.  I think back to high school and all the insecurities that came along with it, all the heartache that awaits girls, that boys don't really have to deal with.  (I have very specific memories of crying about my body.)

And I didn't even get bullied.  Now with it being so rampant, I'm a little nervous to send a daughter into that world.

Back to the article though, she talked about how she wondered where those girls' moms were.  And as a teacher, listening to her students, she realized that the moms were teaching the behavior.  She pointed out that whether or not parents think they are being listened to, their kids are picking up on their actions, their words, their attitudes and become just like them.

So basically, I finished reading this article with a little fear, and an intense desire to start being more self aware, confident, and kind so that someday, my children will pick up on that.

Lastly: Confronting the lie: God won't give you more than you can handle

I was skeptical going into this one.  I thought it was just a whiner complaining about life and how God's not there.  I was wrong.  Turns out, when the Bible mentions not giving us more than we can handle, it's talking about temptation.

This is what I found incredibly interesting.  This guy knew what he was talking about, and backed it up with scripture:

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead (2 Cor 1:8,9, emphasis his).

No wonder it feels so hard sometimes.  Because we are "burdened beyond our strength."  And for good reason- so that we can learn to fully rely on God.  The only... "problem" seems like the wrong word... is that it's still so hard to do.

Well friend, I hope you find time to check out these articles, and that you find them as interesting as I did.  

On a completely fun note, if you are into sewing at all, or fashion, or art, you should check out Merricks Art.

I found this blog, oh... probably two years ago, when I first started getting into Pinterest and got the sewing bug.  Stupidly, I just now started to actually follow the blog.  It's great, and she has a link to her art gallery on there too- she's a painter!  

Also, as promised:

And with those darling faces, I leave you for now.  Have a wonderful Friday, friend!

Aim