My Beef with Palin

Let me first say that my comments are in no way meant to disparage those women who do work; I understand completely at the pull to work outside the home and mother; I recognize the challenges and sympathize with these women. My thoughts are merely my own convictions based on much prayer, biblical study, and wise counsel of those whom I trust.

My beef with Palin as McCain’s VP choice has nothing to do with the fact that she’s a woman…exactly. And for the record, McCain wasn't my choice, either. I like that she's pro-life, pro-family, pro-gun, etc. She's a woman of convictions and convictions don't mean anything if you don't live by them.

I usually don’t get into debating politics and the who, the what, and the where; it's a waste of time. I’m more concerned with issues that either reflect my biblical beliefs or malign the Word of God. But, the choice of Palin as a V.P. choice has got me to thinking deeply and reflectively about these biblical views.

In order to get to my beef, you’re going to have to put up with a history lesson, a biblical history lesson, that is, especially since Jeff and I are teaching a Spiritual Development of Preschoolers class at church and this stuff is floating about in my head ready to burst.

The way God designed the family is as follows: Hebrew society was a theocracy - - God –centered and the family was patricentric in nature - - meaning “father centered.” The family was like a wheel, the father the hub. Each spoke represented something the father was responsible for: the welfare, physical needs, and spiritual well-being of his family (among other things) and he was delegated as head of the household.

The mother was responsible for providing food, clothing, and shelter for her children as well as providing wisdom and instruction to them (until the boys were 12 and moved under the immediate tutelage and vocational instruction of their father) and for providing wisdom to her husband. It was (AND STILL IS) the highest calling for a woman: motherhood. She was in no way subservient to her husband, but her role was functionally subordinate to her husband.

These roles didn't change in the New Testament too much, and what wasn't ordered as null and void in the New Testament (like food laws, etc.) should still be followed.

Now, the more I read about developing emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy children, the more I realize that it is the mother’s immediate charge and the father’s ultimate responsibility. (Side note: that’s why choosing a mate is the second most important decision you’ll ever make).

By the age of 4, the stage has been set for a child’s future success, AND, even more importantly to me, “they can think of God in a personal way and trust him with simple faith.” (Spiritual Growth of Children). My philosophy as a Christian parent is this: To develop God-honoring, God-serving, emotionally healthy, well-adjusted children who are beacons of light in a searching, lost, and lonely world. Everything I do as a parent should be aimed toward this goal.

Basically, God’s design for the family was perfect. A father to provide safety, shelter, nourishment, and spiritual instruction, as an umbrella around the whole family, and a mother to hold the handle of the umbrella around her children, guarding and guiding from the elements until it was time for them to move to their next authority.

We, in our selfish, greedy natures, have confused that fact. I’m being quite honest when I say that I truly believe a mother’s place is at home with her children, if she has been blessed with them. That’s why I’m at home with mine; that’s why Jeff works around 60 hours a week to provide for us in a job that is not his ultimate calling. That’s why we have one small car, new clothes only when our moms send them to us, and a strict budget that is only altered when pregnant Audrea really needs a snack. We have sacrificed physical desires and material wants to invest in the lives of our precious children.

Now, to my beef with Palin, if elected.

1.) When a mother (of children still at home) works outside the home, her allegiance is divided. She is no longer just under the authority of her husband, but under the authority of her boss. I’m not saying that women can’t and shouldn’t work (you all know that I have worked and I still do consulting work from home from time to time); I’m merely showing that a mother who is so concentrated on her success at her job creates a divide in the home; she can’t give her full and complete self to her small children who need her. And it is essential for children to emotionally connect with their mother’s as babies if they are to grow up well-adjusted and emotionally healthy. When children are small, they especially need their mothers.

2.) If Palin had all teenagers or grown children out of the house, it wouldn’t bother me as much. But, in addition to her nearly grown children, she has a little girl who can’t be more than 8 AND a baby, an almost 5 month old. And this baby is an extra special baby with Down’s Syndrome. He needs his mother more than any of the rest of them. Babies need lots of love and personal attention from their mothers; they need more than what a day care or a daddy-every-day can offer. And a baby with special needs needs it even more. As V.P., Palin is taking on more than just a job. She is taking on a whole new life that will completely consume her. She will be tasked with secrets she can’t share with her husband (and as for me, I don’t have secrets from my husband), she will be gone more than at home, and she will be appearing by the side of the President more often than her own husband, and who takes over the responsibility for the baby? Her daughters? Where will her allegiance ultimately lie? She seems to be a woman of good sense, but my fear is for her children, especially the younger ones who will reap the negative impact of her absence.

3.) Her experience. She has very little. A little over a year in the governor’s office, two years as mayor, and some school PTA. If something should happen to John McCain, could she step in as Chief and lead our country? I honestly don’t think she’s ready.

I’m not out for repressing women or taking away our right to vote, and I’m sure you each have your own strong opinions about what I wrote. That’s your right. I’m just sharing why I don’t feel 100% behind her and that I don’t see a biblical basis for choosing her, especially in light of those at home who need her. I’m a mother who has studied God’s word and my perspective has altered incredibly since that day Gideon emerged from my body.

The home is where Satan attacks; he wants to destroy families, marriages, and homes. The building block of our society is crumbling and I’m not willing to give him any more edge.

Not to leave anyone out

Some of you already know this story; this post is for those who don't know.

If you haven't heard about the conflict over in the country of Georgia, you must sleep under a rock (isn't that how the saying goes?) Anyway, when I interned in D.C., I was roommates with a gal from that country. She is now back in Georgia, and I, along with many others, were concerned over her safety. We bombarded her email and facebook page with prayers, thoughts, and major concern.

I heard back from her and I had asked if I could "do" anything. Not only had her family survived, they had taken in a bunch of refugee families, most of whom had little children. She told me they were in desperate need of diapers, baby food, etc. The easiest way we could help, she said, was to send money.

I sent out an email to a few friends (in D.C.) and they spammed it out. I have been overwhelmed at the response. God is SOOO good.

I just wanted to let you know just in case this has been on your heart. I am preparing to wire her the money I've collected at the beginning of next week, but, if you would like to help, there's still time.

Just email me and let me know: audreamedina@hotmail.com.

Recent Photos

I've got a story or two to share, but I'm not really in a writing mood right now. And besides, Jeff has work to do on this computer. His rebuilt laptop that I bought dirt cheap from a guy across the street in Fort Worth has always been temperamental. It has now seemingly caught a virus and has met its demise. So long, el junko.

Here are a couple recent photos, specifically posted for Jeff's extended family in California. I'm just sorry it took me over a week to do.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Rocket Launcher

Have you ever regretted taking Ex-Lax because of the incredibly painful consequences of those little pills? Well, I’ve only taken them once, years ago, when I was at the beach with my roommate, Naomi, and her family stuffed me like a Thanksgiving turkey. That resulting inability to relieve the built up pressure was just about as bad as what one suffers during pregnancy. I erroneously thought that Ex-Lax was a “gentle reliever” - - no one ever explained to me that I would have some of the worst diarrhea (promise I won’t mention that word again in this post) distress of my life.

As it were, I can still remember writhing, moaning, and groaning in the bathroom just wishing I were dead. But, that cannot in any way compare to my most recent episode.

Two days ago, I either caught a bug, got food poisoning, or merely neglected to heat up the deli ham before I made my sandwich. I don’t remember why, but during pregnancy, you’re not supposed to eat deli meat without heating it up first.

Anyway, about 5:00 p.m., I started having the most painful gastrointestinal torture ever. I won’t go into details about what horrors emerged from my body, but suffice it to say that it wasn’t pleasant and I was in unbelievable anguish.

The pain was intense and in between visits to the bathroom of which I lost count, I tried to help Jeff with dinner and the kids, but all I could do was writhe on the sofa and moan incoherently. I couldn’t eat or drink because just the thought of it made me sick. Jeff finally told me to go upstairs and lay down…which I tried to do, but it didn’t last.

I came back downstairs thinking I was all better, and started to give Scarlett a bottle (in case I really was sick, didn’t want to pass anything through my milk). About 1 minute into the feeding, the pains started bubbling up and I could hear them working in my belly like a pack of loudly wrestling worms.

“Ooh, ooh, ooh. Jeff, quick. Can you take her? TAKE HER, PLEASE!”

He was in the middle of washing his hands. I’m hopping up and down in the kitchen, holding the baby, and trying to reign in the mounting explosion all while he was taking his sweet time washing AND drying his hands. Why I was hopping, I don’t know. That’s not really the brightest idea

I finally tossed over the baby, non-too-gentle, and barely made it to my temporary sanctuary.

The last episode was even more objectionable. Jeff took Scarlett upstairs to put her to bed while I was playing choo-choo with Gideon. The pains hit, I ran, but I couldn’t close the door because I didn’t want to leave Gideon alone downstairs without someone keeping an eye on him…as if I could really keep an eye on anything.

Of course he followed me into the bathroom. And much to my embarrassment and horror, the little man found utter enjoyment in my misery. I was rocking back and forth, almost in tears, trying to shoo him out the door, when the first set of rockets exploded in the toilet. I think he honestly thought I was creating this audio delight to make him laugh… because he did…with such pure amusement.

I couldn’t control the complete mass detonation any longer and with every blast, he giggled with glee and ran back and forth from the door to me. He tried to help me flush, he patted my legs, and he acted as if it were one big party. I was actually too miserable to be properly mortified, but I kept wishing for Jeff to come downstairs. He finally made it back down, pulled Gideon out, made a couple of pewww-weee faces, and closed the door.

I had never been so glad to have some privacy and peace.

All I can say is that it was the most horrible experience ever and my stomach was still sore and painful all day yesterday.

Unplugged

I’ve been desirous of posting something intelligent, witty, and oh-so-funny. But, I haven’t got a clue as how to make that happen.

I’m merely pooped and cranky. And that’s about all there is to me these days.

Sorry to disappoint my readers. I’m rather bummed myself. Mayhap next week will bring a humorous surprise for all of us.

Until then, I bid you adieu, unplug, and head back to my couch, my rumbling belly, and my snacks. I'd forgotten (and how could I, really?) how trying pregnancy can be....for me, for Jeff (poor guy) and for my little ones who need me every moment that my bathtime is my only "me" time. Sigh. 7 more months of this and then the fun really begins. Am I ready? I don't think I'll ever be.