Badges of Honor

As a little girl, I was a Brownie. Part of being a Brownie is that you earn badges for doing things that are considered important. It's been a while, but I remember the pleasure of earning the badge (not what I did to earn the badge).

As mothers we have our own badges, such as:

• Stretch marks
• Varicose veins
• Sagging breasts
• Wider hips
• Bigger Legs
• A different shoe size
• Different complexion 
• Longer hair then shorter thinning hair

These are the physical things, that we sometimes wish to change because our bodies have gone through childbirth. In our current world, it's so easy to buy in to the myth that something is wrong and we need to have perfect bodies.

I choose to view the physical bodily changes as badges of honor - I've earned them through becoming a mother. I never had stretch marks until after giving birth; I was spared varicose veins, but others weren't; the body changes overall even if you are petite.

To bring a child in to this world is to participate in a miracle. Cut yourself some slack. Take care of yourself and enjoy the person that you have become.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is his reward. (Psalm 127: 3)

Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. (Job 37: 14)

Do you have badges of honor? Do you wear them proudly?