As a mom with a tight budget, my own personal mothering style, and kids who differ greatly from one another—feeling badly about the way we have to do things as a family or feeling ashamed of the way we like to do things is never a good idea.
When I see other moms signing their kids up for all kinds of summer activities and camps, I have to look the other way. That is not for me in this season.
When I start to question why another family would choose to educate their children the way they do, I have to remember grace and that I am not the ultimate judge. My way of living and educational choices for my kids might not be available to or what’s best for their family. I will remember that each mother labors intensely over this decision and then still second guesses herself at times. Godly education looks many different ways in many different settings.
When another mom spends a lot of time on her makeup, hair, and what she wears and it starts to make me feel less than or ugly, I will remember to appreciate it rather than push against it. Even when I start to feel anger or resentment toward her, I will step back and remember we all love taking in beautiful things and creating lovely works of art. Maybe for us it’s painting, building furniture, or taking pictures out in nature. Maybe for her, her skin, hair, and body are her palette.
When her sweet tone with her kids out in public makes me want to roll my eyes and assume she doesn’t experience hardship with her kids or other relationships. Remember this: Even the kindest of souls experience the harshest of worlds.
