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“I Looked Over to His Side of the Bed. He Wasn’t There. I Knew He Wouldn’t Be There, But for the First Time, It...

"I looked back to the bed. Still empty. And then it happened. I fell to my knees, and then to my back. It came from up from my gut. I could almost physically feel it moving to the top of my abdomen, to my chest, into my neck and then my head. I cannot describe the pain."

Mom Dies Giving Birth & Dad Lays Baby on Her Chest—10 Minutes Later, He Hears the Scream…

"You are so unbelievably excited that your child is born…and in the next moment you believe you’ll have to say farewell to your wife forever. It was like being numbed."

To the Christians Who Are Done With Church

"The church is far from perfect. Life is complex. There are growing options. And the post-modern mind distrusts most things organized or institutional. But as trendy as the idea of writing off the church may be, it’s a mistake."

If We Send Our Kids to School, We’re “Selfish.” If We Keep Them Home, We’re “Living in Fear.”

“Parents are feeling some type of way right now.

If we send our kids to school, we’re “selfish”.

If we keep them home, we’re “living in fear”.

We know our choice will not please everyone—

but we’re trying not to care

and instead just focus on what’s best for our kid…

BUT we’re not even sure what that is

because we’re just sooo conflicted.

We’ve been trying to enjoy this extra time with our kids

but our newest thief of joy is uncertainty.

We’re offered strong opinions from others not even in our position.

And if we’re honest, we’re pretty much over it.

Some of us have already decided; for some it was decided for us

and some, like me, are sitting right smack dab in the middle of indecision.

The reality is,

some families will be giving up an income and financial stability.

Some will go to work, whether by choice or mere necessity, and will still be judged harshly.

Some parents will try to balance full-time work from home and distance learning, which seems almost impossible to me.

Many have, and will, shed tears and mourn plans

when no one is looking,

and then pull it together just as quickly.

There’s a decision to be made, but there’s no “right” one.

My kids won’t hear the complaint when I push my career aside.

The work-outside-the-home mom’s kids likely won’t see the weight she’s carrying.

The work-from-home dad won’t let anyone know the pressure he’s under.

We KNOW we’d do ANYTHING for our kids, no matter the sacrifice,

but we did not sign up for THIS.

No one did.

parents

So if you hear a parent voice their choice that’s different than yours,

please do not make them feel worse.

Give them some grace

because I can promise you

we parents are already feeling some type of way.”

**This post was written by Whitney Ballard of Trains and Tantrums, and originally appeared on her Facebook page. For more, follow her at https://www.instagram.com/whitneyballard_writer/

Kelsey Straeter
Kelsey Straeter
Kelsey is an editor at Outreach. She’s passionate about fear fighting, freedom writing, and the pursuit of excellence in the name of crucifying perfectionism. Glitter is her favorite color, 2nd only to pink, and 3rd only to pink glitter.

“I Looked Over to His Side of the Bed. He Wasn’t There. I Knew He Wouldn’t Be There, But for the First Time, It...

"I looked back to the bed. Still empty. And then it happened. I fell to my knees, and then to my back. It came from up from my gut. I could almost physically feel it moving to the top of my abdomen, to my chest, into my neck and then my head. I cannot describe the pain."

Mom Dies Giving Birth & Dad Lays Baby on Her Chest—10 Minutes Later, He Hears the Scream…

"You are so unbelievably excited that your child is born…and in the next moment you believe you’ll have to say farewell to your wife forever. It was like being numbed."

To the Christians Who Are Done With Church

"The church is far from perfect. Life is complex. There are growing options. And the post-modern mind distrusts most things organized or institutional. But as trendy as the idea of writing off the church may be, it’s a mistake."