In today’s blog post I want to chat about discernment, fellowship and the impact of our choices as homemakers and mothers with regards to the natural living movement.
Those of you who know me well already know I tend to lean to more of the natural option for most products, methods and remedies. So I’m not here to tell you that natural living is wrong. But what I do want to discuss is the dangers that come with our choices for things like cleaning products, food, medical intervention.
Over the past 4 years it has been a slow process in our house of converting the products we use, food we eat and medical interventions we choose to what we ‘scientifically’ believe is healthier and safer for both us and our kids. Being a health professional I have always taken a keen interest in researching better options for my family.
OBSESSION, control and Medical INtervention
Our experience of infertility inspired us to read articles, listen to podcasts and research everything from household toxins, antibiotics, food choices and more. Read more about our infertility journey here. In my experience when you are trying to ‘fix’ something, such as our ability to have kids, we seek control over it. For me it was through diet, supplements and conversion to a more natural/low tox lifestyle. In itself this isn’t wrong. God has given us this earth full of wonderful plants and food to nourish and heal our bodies! To me the least medical intervention the better. However, it can lead us further from Him when we begin to look at these ‘tools’ as means of our salvation or rescue. Trusting in all the “things” we are doing. Or as someone recently stated trusting in the created more than the creator.
Don’t beat yourself up though. Because it is only natural for people to want to take actionable steps to help heal or prevent sickness. Once again this is not wrong. The issue lies with where our priorities and our trust lies. Recently, in a sermon at Church Rev. Pol discussed what it means to trust God. Trusting in God to satisfy all our needs both physically and spiritually is integral to our Christian Faith. If we are so obsessed in controlling our lives through these natural interventions and we live in a constant state of fear or worry over toxins, unhealthy food or medical intervention, are we really trusting in God?
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR DISCERNMENT
Let’s look at a few practical questions to help us discern where our heart lies:
- Do you turn faster to a natural remedy, naturopath or doctor in answer to sickness and turn to prayer and scripture as a last resort?
- Do you, in times of anxiety or stress, turn first to mediation, oils or ‘favourite’ activities for calming mind and body before prayer and scripture?
- Are you quick to offer a natural solution, medical solution to a friend experiencing hardship before offering Godly encouragement and prayer?
I can ask these questions because I know I am guilty of them all. So quickly I turn to myself, my own ability to control and provide an answer before trusting and relying on God. I hope these questions will support you in your ability to discern not just the actions of choosing natural but rather the attitudes of our heart in our everyday choices!
The trend of natural living
Today we are bombarded by tag lines like ‘low tox’ ‘natural’ ‘holistic’ ‘whole foods’ ‘eco friendly’ and more. The trend truly is turning towards more natural living. This makes me excited and concerned at the same time.
Making natural and health conscious Decisions
As a health professional I believe we need to take a front seat on our health and lifestyle choices. It is our responsibility as Wives, Mothers, and Homemakers to know the impact and risk of the products, interventions and lifestyle choices we make. The statement ‘ignorance is bliss’ when it comes to lifestyle choices is far from correct. We know this from things like long term impact of smoking, alcohol, fast food, sugar and more. I am excited that so many are becoming aware of the brainwashing and so called ‘safe’ products that are entering our homes and bodies. So many more are making choices for safer, healthier lifestyle options. It is a process and a journey and as a community we are shifting towards better options and more sustainable living.
Do your research
The other reason we need to do our research is because of the issue of fads and trends in the products we consume. I remember the trend of ‘superfoods’ foods that supposedly held the key to health and contained an abundance of nourishment. Well I’m sorry to tell you but no chia seed or kale chip is going to answer all your health and wellbeing concerns. Lately, I have noticed a trend towards paraben free. Some companies will slap a particular label on a product and we will ignorantly think we are making a better, safer choice for our families.
In some cases this is true. In other cases we are being sucked into the fad or trend that clever marketing company is using.
PRactical Questions for DISCERNMENT
So what does this mean for you and your natural living journey. Let’s again use some practical questions to help us make intentional choices for natural living.
- By purchasing these products am I over extending the household budget?
- After scrolling through my social media feed do I feel a strong desire to follow trends such as fashion, self care products etc or do I choose things based on my families needs and research I have done?
- What are the health, lifestyle and financial benefits of purchasing this product? Can I make a cheaper and equally as effective alternative? See my blog post on 5 natural DIY’s and Homemade Beeswax wraps for some ideas.
- Is this product a need or a want?
Friendship, fellowship, Judgement and Relationships
What could these things possibly have to do with our natural living choices? Well here is the scoop. All of our relationships are based on a shared interest or experience. Within our Church community, not only are we called to love one another, we are also united in Christ. However many of us still pick and choose friends based on common interests like natural living, raising kids, fashion, hobbies etc. We like to talk to each other about things that we are interested in.
we can become defensive or feel threatened!
Here lies an issue. Without even realising it, especially as mothers we can feel threatened and defensive if someone chooses a different way of raising our kids or diet or health care option. In response we may judge that person and speak negatively about their choice in order to justify our own choice and internally validate the decisions we have made for our family or household. For example, if a friend decided to only shop organic produce for her family. I could easily jump up and down with comments like who has that kind of money to throw around. She is being wasteful etc. Or I could look at my heart attitude and realise I am jealous, or feel inadequate because I am unable to provide this for my own family.
God calls us to be united in our love for him and for each other. God tells us not to judge lest we ourselves be judged. I encourage you to base your relationships on Christ and put away those feelings that can creep into our hearts when other women choose something different to what we believe is best for our households. Let’s care more about each other’s faith and wellbeing and less about their next natural choice. (See a few podcast references below which discuss these challenges further.)
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR DISCERNMENT
A few practical questions to keep our hearts and mouths in check:
- Is what I am thinking or saying building up my sister in Christ?
- Do I feel anxious about my own natural lifestyle choices and therefore feel like I need to defend myself?
- Do I find fellowship only with my friends about earthly treasures or also about treasures in heaven?
reasons to research, discuss and support EACH OTHER in our Natural Lifestyle journey.
Learning about health, understanding the impact of things like toxins to our bodies is a actually very helpful. Especially when it comes to caring for kids. Conditions like Asthma, food intolerances, Eczema, and challenges with attention, learning and more can be supported through natural lifestyle changes.
Through my research I have discovered the enormous impact inflammation has our our bodies. See a video and blog post on this topic here. Not only do I wholeheartedly believe that lifestyle changes have a huge role to play in our healing. I also believe that reducing our reliance on medicines, surgery and other intervention will allow us to more naturally heal and have better outcomes long term. Just ask my Physio husband about his experience with exercise rehabilitations versus surgery for some cases =) .
However, in all this there has to be a balance. God has provided us with doctors, medicines, therapists and professional to support living a healthy life. I know first hand that we can plan for natural and it doesn’t end up this way. Our son was born via emergency C-section due to a complicated breech position. I am thankful that my mother coached me to put my trust in God rather than on a ‘birth plan’ before his birth. This helped us remain calm and enjoy the miracle of birth despite a disappointing and dramatic change of plans.
Concluding thoughts….
So what does this all mean?
Check your heart. Check your relationships and build your trust in God first and foremost. Making decisions as a wife and mother is a big responsibility. But aren’t we blessed to know God has all things in his almighty control!!!
Resources
Should I do this Risen Motherhood Podcast Episode 168
Verity Podcast Season 3 Women’s Issues: Motherhood Culture
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Thank you so much for sharing this post. It gave me so much to think about as our family has been making more natural changes to our home. I am a big researcher too, especially after my son was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis and we have had to make dietary changes to his diet. Plant based items are much more expensive and as much as we try to grow most of our food and preserve for the year, not everything can be grown and raised at our home, like meats and milks. We have had to make several choices at what are family can afford and pray to God everyday that he will provide for us. Life does not always happen the way we thought it would. When my son was born , I developed a condition called AFLP, my body shut down and was in a coma for a short while. I wanted to be the natural mom, natural birth, breast feeding and that did not happen. BUT God was in our life and I am now a mom to a beautiful 11 year old boy. Your post is so inspirational for so many reasons. I believe following your heart and what your own family needs is what GOD would want us to do. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Cindy! Your story is so moving! thank you for your heartfelt wisdom you share in your experience through these challenging situations!
God is good and we are able to deal with change, uncertainty and disappointment through him!
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic post. Awesome. Melesa Elvin Raynah