The Child Banning Movement: Children Are an Inconvenience

I was disturbed to discover that there is such a thing as "the child banning movement" and that it is spreading. Businesses are banning children from their premises. Why? Because adults without children want peace and quiet. They don't want to have to listen to a crying baby or a child throwing a tantrum. They don't want to put up with children running around and getting in their way. What's wrong with this? This movement is only furthering the "children are an inconvenience" mindset. This mindset has been growing for years. Children are no longer seen as blessings, a full quiver, or as our future. They are seen as an inconvenience to the adult agenda. They are in the way, they hinder our plans, and they cause frustration. Our adult society is becoming more and more selfish as time progresses. We are so caught up in our own agenda that we fail to make the helpless, impressionable, and immature children that God has given us a priority. We forget that children are just that, they are children. They are not adults; you cannot expect them to act as adults. It is our job, the adult, the parent, to train children so that they become the mature and capable adult we all want them to be. But we fail to do even that. We want to ban them, remove them more and more from the public, from our functioning society for the sake of the adults peace and quiet. Children are vital to our future yet we ignore them, restrict them, and treat them as an inconvenience.

There are terribly behaved children out there and any child can be frustrating and infuriating at times. The issue here is bad parenting and even when good parenting takes place, there is simply sin nature. Banning children from public places is not the cure for bad parenting. It is not the answer.

Children are not an inconvenience. They should not be viewed that way. They are blessings. Psalm 127:4-5 says, "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate." This is how we should view children. They are also fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:13-15 says, "For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth."

Here is an insightful quote from a very wise man, my husband.
"I used to get annoyed at hearing crying babies in public, like restaurants & the like, but a sermon by Voddie Baucham changed that. Whenever I get annoyed now I remind myself of the value placed upon kids, who will be kids because they are only learning to be future adults.

The sadness is twofold: bad parenting (but let's be honest, great parenting doesn't always equal pleasant children, all the time) & a high view of convenience. We have bought in to the "how many kids can we afford" mindset, the kids are inconveniences belief. Well let's not think this way anymore. They are arrows in our quivers, blessings, & the greatest way to pass on Christ's reign."

Kyle put it very well using Psalm 127. "They are arrows in our quivers, blessings, & the greatest way to pass on Christ's reign." If only every adult, parent or not, had this mindset. We need to begin to treat children as precious gifts from God and embrace our parental role (or adult role) by cherishing them (tempers and all), training them, teaching them, and bringing them up in the way they should go and when they are old (have matured into an adult) they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). 


People ask, "What is wrong with kids these days? What to do?" The problem isn't the children. The answer is not banning children which will and is leading to failing to integrate them into society. The problem is adults, parents, and the answer is to reevaluate our view of children and their value. The answer is to take back our authoritative yet loving role of taking these precious gifts and guiding them through life. They desperately need that.



If you would like to read some articles on this issue click here and here. And to read an inspiring article on motherhood as a calling click here.

Advice for Newlyweds

My one year wedding anniversary is fast approaching and in the year since that day, a lot of people I know have and are getting married. It is the season of life that we are in and it is an exciting time. I want to share some of the wisdom I have gained from this first year of marriage.

There is no formula to a successful and satisfying marriage. There is no manual or recipe. As I've told a few brides-to-be, you just have to jump in there and do it and figure it out along the way. You can go to pre-marital counseling (which I recommend), you can read books (which I also recommend), and you can seek the wisdom of mature and godly married couples (again, I recommend). You can do all these things but you will never be prepared enough and know all that you need to know to make your marriage work. All that you need is a faith and trust in God, a covenant of love and commitment, and a lifetime to learn, grow, and strengthen your marriage bond.

With that said, a list of tips, wisdom, and advice never hurts. It can serve as a good reminder and a gentle nudge in the right direction.

Advice for wives:

You cannot change your husband. You have great influence over him but you cannot change him. Pray for his heart and God will change him if necessary.

Speak words of life to your husband. He needs to know that he's a hunk and that he's the only man for you. :)

Obey with a quiet and gentle spirit. What he asks of you may not always make sense to you but just do it and when you must speak, speak with respect.

Pick your battles. Sometimes it just isn't worth it.

Laugh at the things that annoy you (like his laundry being everywhere but the hamper and the silly little things that he does that don't make sense). It will save you from unnecessary anger and irritation.

Be direct. Don't hint at things...he'll never get it.

Know your husband's love language and show him respect.

Advice for husbands:

Know your wife's love language and lather her in the love she needs.

Study your wife. Know her in every way you can.

All women like flowers, chocolates, and being showered with little gifts but at the end of the day all we really want is your love, attention, presence, and approval.

Keep the romance alive with sweet words, kisses, hugs, and random outings and gifts "just because."

Take the time to listen to your wife. No, really, listen. Don't just hear words, listen with your eyes and heart as well as your ears.

Marriage wisdom:

Your sex life is a vital part of a healthy marriage. Talk about your sex life and know each others needs.

Resolve arguments as soon as possible and do your best to not go to bed angry.

Even when there is anger, at the end of the day show some love whether that be holding hands, a kiss goodnight, or just cuddling up next to each other. It's healthy.

Practice patience and understanding. Remember, you are two sinners who come from different lives trying to live as one. It's not easy for either of you so be understanding.

Most of all, remember that marriage is a blessing and a picture of the Gospel. It is not a cure for loneliness, lust, financial issues, unhappiness, or any problems. It is a covenant between a man and a woman and it is a gift given to us by God for His glory. It comes with amazing joy and unexpected problems. It is not like the movies or the fairytale. It is better and it is good when Christ is in it.

My Best Friend's Wedding/MPB 2011/Back to Life

Hello readers!

I've been silent for a while, I know. The past few weeks have been busy! The first week of July was full of wedding events and details as I helped my best friend pull off her special day! Though it was the most stress I have experienced in a long time, it was an honor to be a part of it all and make sure that my dear friend had everything her heart desired. She is now married and I am thrilled to watch her step into her new role and begin this new journey of her life! My husband stilled the memories with the click of our cameras and we have been working hard on mastering those images. The pic on the right is a sneak peak. :)

The following week (in fact, the very morning after the wedding) I joined Criswell professor Baltazar Alvarez and 21 other students (Criswell students and high school students) for a mission trip down to Brownsville, Texas. Can I just say. . . It. Was. AWESOME.

However, I went into the trip tired, stressed, drained, and in much need of a day's break. I was not ready for the trip at all. I had not seen much of my husband and had not had much sleep. I was expecting a long, hard week and I was dreading it. I prayed and asked God to give me a willing heart to serve and the energy to do so. I wanted so much to want to be there and not simply go through the motions just to get through the week and go home. God answered my prayer and blessed me with a fantastic week full of serving Him with a willing attitude, laughter, unity, and a trip that I will never forget. Everyone got along so well and there were a ton of "you-had-to-be-there" moments. As far as ministry goes we partnered with First Baptist Church of Brownsville and helped them with their VBS in the evenings and used the mornings to do some projects. I worked in the youth building, the Freeway. Me and three other Criswell students led the entire youth program the whole week. It was a lot of fun and a great experience.

The week was a success. Buildings got painted, work was completed, the Truth was shared, and people came to know Christ. By the end of it all we were exhausted and ready to get home but we all agreed the trip would go down in history. I can't explain why. . .you just had to be there. :)

Now, it is back to life. It has been great to be back at home with my husband and spend some time with him. It was weird to be without the second half of me for a week. I missed him. I never want to be away from him that long again and hopefully I won't have to. It just doesn't seem right. ;)