Feed Yourself!

One of the main things any mama is told while pregnant and after giving birth is to eat well. Your baby's health depends so much on your own health. Have you ever thought of that beyond food though?

Just like it can be so hard to chose the salad over the donut, it is equally hard to chose "higher quality" things to feed your mind, heart and spirit with! We all know the best decisions are not made when we are tired and the fact is, we mamas are almost always tired.
But I will say it over and over, because I'm amazed every time, it is so much more satisfying to fill yourself with the better choices of media, reading, music and entertainment. There is nothing wrong with movies, social networks, (some) TV shows, sports and music. But what a different feeling I get after listening to a challenging sermon or worship music or after reading a few pages from an edifying book (not to mention the Bible!). I'm not trying to be all "holy", because these are not the things I listen to or watch all the time. I'm just saying there's a huge difference between being entertained and being edified. And after a long tiring day, when I chose to be edified rather than entertained, I get all sorts of inspiration and encouragement! I start thinking outside of myself and gain perspective beyond my present circumstances. I don't know about you, but I need this! I always feel "healthier" in the end, and I strongly believe that our children and anyone around us, for that matter, benefit from this as well!

So please, mama, feed yourself well! If you've never tried something like this, here are some of my favorite links:

Substance Church Sermons - our home church. There isn't a Sunday that I'm not inspired, challenged and changed.

Focus on the Family Radio - endless learning from wise, solid people who have much to inspire us in the areas of marriage and parenting.

Marriage Today Podcasts - one of our favorite marriage speakers who has taught us a lot.

Covenant Life Church - pastored by an author who has been a huge inspiration to us since before we were married, this church website has an extensive library of sermons and workshops on all kinds of parenting, marriage and spiritual topics.