24/11/2012 at 2:18 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: bigotry, prejudice, race, racism
From time to time, I hear some people say things like “Well, everyone’s a bit racist”. Usually the speaker has a (by and large baseless) prejudice that they wish to justify having.
To that I’d say, the difference between racist bigots and non-bigots is the willingness to have those prejudices and stereotypes challenged and the self-awareness to actively work on their own heart and mind to do so.
11/06/2012 at 10:00 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: children, discipline, parenting
The old to-spank-or-not-to-spank debate has been revived online again in light of Creflo Dollar’s arrest. I’m not going to say anything about that particular case as I simply do not have all of the facts, rather I’m putting my views on the topic out there and thinking about the various responses I’ve read on Twitter.
Admittedly, my parental experience is limited, my eldest child is only 5 years old, so I don’t yet face the various joys and challenges of raising teens. I’m not completely against corporal punishment but I do feel it is often overused by many. One of my close friends who was “got licks” as we put it, stopped even fearing the punishment after some time, it didn’t mean anything anymore and was often seen as a means to an end – “yeah I’ll get beats, but at least I got my way and did X”. My personal feeling is that spanking should be a last resort rather than the first response to a transgression. When that happens, it’s the result of a lack of self control and sometimes, a display of pride. The punishment should also fit the crime; it’s very easy to be heavy handed when some other sanction could be effective. One size doesn’t fit all either – what works for one child won’t necessarily be effective for another.
In any case, punishment of any type is just one part of discipline. To disciple means to teach, to instruct. It’s interesting that when discipline is mentioned, that for many, punishment is what comes to mind! What’s vitally important to remember is that what we model and say influences our children just as much as how we treat them when they do wrong. If you choose not to spank your child yet regularly assault them verbally, surely that’s abusive too?
I love what Ephesians 6:4 says,
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Nurture and admonition. Getting the balance right is my aim. Not seeing children, though born sinners as an adversary to be literally beaten into submission but through a foundation of a good, loving relationship, being able to lay down the law when needed.
09/05/2012 at 10:16 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: parenthood, SAHM, work
So it’s been 3 months since I’ve left paid employment to be a stay at home mum. With two young children and a job with unpredictable hours, my husband and I discussed either reducing my hours further or leaving work entirely. I didn’t particularly love my job so I wasn’t too sad about leaving (except my lovely colleagues), though I felt that part time work was the best of both worlds.
What I didn’t expect was the feeling of uncertainty and worrying about whether or not I was doing the right thing. I’d been in full time or part time paid employment since the age of 17 and reality dawned on me that I was really venturing into what felt like uncharted waters. I know very few women who are SAHMs, especially black women. Having said that, people have been supportive so far. I’m not sure when I’ll return to paid employment but when I do it’ll be a complete career change from what I was doing in the past. I’ll be using this time to contemplate possibly pursuing higher education.
I’m loving that I am there for my eldest child after school and watching my youngest reach milestones. Yes it’s very hard work at times but so far, so good.
13/04/2012 at 2:53 pm (Uncategorized)
Another day, another apology for lack of posts. To be honest I’ve been busy but disorganisation is really the problem! I’ve hooked up my WordPress app properly now so I’m looking forward to writing a bit more often…
13/04/2012 at 2:47 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: Bible, Jesus, prayer
Today I’ve started a three week Bible reading plan and the theme is prayer.
I love to pray, yet over the years I’ve struggled to be consistent and disciplined at times, especially since becoming a mum. On the other hand, I’ve found that motherhood has proven to be a great impetus for talking to the Lord for many reasons.
Today’s Scripture is from Matthew 6:5-13, on how we should pray and the greatest example, the Lord’s Prayer, I’m finding John Gill’s Expositor to be useful in my study of this text.
14/12/2011 at 10:37 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: abortion, Fred Hammond, God, Jesus, pro-choice, pro-life, testimony
14/12/2011 at 10:32 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: absence, blogging, posts, Writing
Dear reader, I am indeed guilty of overthinking what to write about. I’ll get an idea, then let that moment pass. Not at all good for a blogger!
Now that I have my wordpress app installed, you should be hearing from me more often. Yes I know I’ve typed words to that effect before but please bear with me, there’s more and more things I find myself thinking, talking and tweeting about that I could indeed be blogging about!
See you soon!
naturalsystah
28/06/2011 at 8:12 pm (Uncategorized)
I know it’s been a while since my first post but I’ve been incredibly busy with family life and so on.
I do have a proper blog post cooking so please bear with me and check back soon!
30/05/2011 at 8:20 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: first post, hello, welcome
Hello and welcome to my shiny new blog. I’ll just be thinking out loud on a number of things, but the likely content will be things pertaining to Jesus, Christianity, theology, technology, current affairs, personal events. Just about any and everything. I had a blog once upon a time under the moniker naturalsystah, cancelled it but I couldn’t stay away from the blogosphere for too long I suppose…
Wipe your feet on the doormat, have a cup of tea and make yourself at home!
