Practice what you preach

Kimberly Seals Allers did a great post yesterday over at Mocha Manual about something that is near and dear to me on a grand level; beyond her central meaning. She spoke about the lessons we all could learn from the Pope.

See he has done what few public figures have done, let alone a public figure that has influence over a large part of not just a nation but a large chunk of the world. The Pope on two separate occasions now has stood strong about mothers feeding their babies how God intended and them being the most important person in the Sistene Chapel. Why is this so important to me? I firmly believe and teach my children that we practice what we preach. For me that may mean supporting breastfeeding with a family when it is not always easy, but I support them either way. It also means living up to what this kitchen Catholic was raised to know and breathe about religion. We are here to help others. We are here to raise above differences and be the better person to create a better community for our children and families to grow and thrive in.

Religious organizations are a great example. Not only do many churches simply deny a woman the right to breastfeed at church, others ask them to sit in certain places or even different rooms. Now, if the mother wants her privacy to go into the other room (or has a crazy toddler as I do and choose to go into the other room) then that is her right and kudos to the church for offering that. However, those that shun the families there should be ashamed and called out by their followers, by their leaders, and ask themselves the same that the Mocha Manual did yesterday....what would Jesus do?

This is above the breastfeeding issue. How many religious organizations, non-profits, or singular people do you know that preach something over and over though their votes and daily bickerings yet do nothing to change it? I am guilty of not attending church any longer because I felt disconnected to the strong messages I heard that were contrary to what I knew to be Catholic. The new Pope brings hope to me that young Catholics such as myself can find their way to giving through their churches and faith. What about the rest of you? What about those that are not religious? The central theme around this is practicing what your preach. Think there is nothing to do where you live? Find a group working to change that? Dislike the areas police ignore? Go speak at City Council meetings. I want my generation to become more charged and teach their children that is how communities are made; religious or otherwise.

Moms Rising magnets. Go to www.momsrising.org

Know who you are, what you stand for, and teach that to your kids, teach it to others. Whether you lean left, right, forward or backward does not matter. Hold true to who you believe yourself to be and act accordingly across the board, not when it suits your personal or political views. Come on get up and roar.

Peace Out.