Category Archives: MUSINGS

Friday Feature: Immune Builders

Posted on by
Reply

I served a family at a funeral and a side of fries and tons more food to hungry boys and a starving man this week. And I served that man by serving our boys alone three nights of the week. Gloriously, I watched my laid back niece and nephew play with my rowdy ones and them all having fun as I occasionally refereed and heated plates to feed the whole bunch. I tried to sneak in pages to one of my good reads until the curious boys sought out a quiet mom and came to snuggle with me. As you can imagine, mama (and wife) is tired and I feel a tickle in my throat so this weekend I’m going to hang my “Do Not Disturb” sign to wind down with alone time and do whatever suits me. But first I’m going to pump myself full of this good stuff that I’m sharing to help you strengthen your immune system.

In addition to my daily regime of minerals and supplements, with the immune building and energy supplying vitamins C and B-Complex, manganese, magnesium and zinc, I have five that I go to in emergency situations (though it’s all right in most cases to use them daily):

Astragalus (AKA Huang Qi)—This root is nutrient-rich root is a powerful antiviral and antibacterial agent. I prefer to use this as a tincture but have also used it in a tea form.

Probiotics—My choice is Lactobacillus Acidolphilus. This probiotic (good bacteria) not only builds my immune system but also helps my digestive system and fights against yeast infections.

Pau D’Arco (AKA Lapacho and Taheebo)—The antiviral and antibacterial properties in this bitter herb (that I use as a tea) seem to be the most powerful for me, knocking out a number of issues simultaneously.

Elderberry—Similar to astragalus with its antiviral and antibacterial properties, I sometimes use this along with or alternate it with astragalus.

Ginger—I use a small wedge of fresh ginger in my fresh squeezed juices and as a tea. I’m still working on using the right amount of ground ginger in foods so that the taste won’t be overpowering.

As I stated when I started Friday Feature, I’m just sharing with you the natural methods I have used that have worked for me. Make sure you conduct your own research, including consulting your healthcare professionals. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it can’t be harmful.

Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith

Sources: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Edition, by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC and James F. Balch, M.D. and Dr. Reginald B. Cherry.

Aborting and Shaming Mamas

Posted on by
4

What Do You Think? Wednesdays. That’s what I think I’ll call this day that I have used to pose ideas for you to ponder. Today, the first Wednesday in Women’s History Month, deals with mamas. I guess it’s that kind of week. Unlike my Monday post, that highlighted a phenomenal mother, the following anti-abortion ad and fed-up mama video challenge the mothering instincts of women, the first one directly aimed at African American women.

Bad grades land teen on street corner: MyFoxTAMPABAY.com

What do you think of each, especially in light of Scripture? Here are a few verses to consider:

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5).

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

“Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death” (Proverbs 19:18).

“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him” (Proverbs 13:24).

“A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him” (Proverbs 17:25).

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

I look forward to hearing your thoughts. You can read some of mine in the comments section here.

Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith

Loving Hard

Posted on by
2

A woman’s got to do what a woman’s got to do, and sometimes it’s tough, making changes, rearranging schedules to accommodate loved ones. This is what I had to do for today. My pastor-husband, who goes to work every day and works every day for our family and church family providing fresh food for our bodies and souls and moves my soul with how he works, asked me to get a sitter to watch the boys so I could serve with him at a funeral. I went to work immediately because this hardworking man hardly asks me for anything and I wanted to help him. Though Monday is a blogging day and the weekend’s activities would prevent me from choosing another writing day to get my post done, I get a sitter. With a misplaced button for my only decent suit, questionable pantyhose, a puffy mane, little makeup remaining, and a heart hungry to be with my boys, I go and I get more,

More strength to make changes for my family
More resolve to serve them
More love for my hardworking man
More praise for a God who gave me all them
More awe of my sitter, who fed and dressed my kids and cleaned my house too
More appreciation for my role as a wife and mother
More desire to do whatever God desires me to do

all because of Janice Tucker and her family. Today Janice buried Chucky, her firstborn son born with CHARGE Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting one out of every 9-10,000 births worldwide. Though Chucky had most of the issues that characterize CHARGE, including balance, breathing and swallowing problems and vision, hearing and speech loss, Janice, a young mother at 20, refused to put her son in an institution when doctors told her that she should; when they said this would be best because Chucky probably wouldn’t live past toddlerhood, Janice said, “That’s my baby. He’s going home with me.” And Chucky did and lived to see 25 years mostly from having a persistent, insistent and patient mom, a planner who arranged her family to meet Chucky’s needs. Her five other children and her husband who came after Chucky all loved and cared for him. Her mother and sisters and friends, his teachers and their neighbors all loved and cared for him. With hundreds of hospital visits, a tracheotomy, feeding tube, wheelchair and learning and living that wasn’t “supposed” to happen, God showed through Chucky and Janice and her family His grace is sufficient for all of us who have to make changes to accommodate our loved ones, that His strength shows up when we are weak (2 Corinthians 12:9). And we can do all things through Jesus Christ, whether tough or small, routine or newly in, when we remain faced toward God and put all our trust in Him (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:13).

Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith

Daily Guideposts: Your First Year of Motherhood

Posted on by
2


The book, the devotional I told you about last year that I wrote 14 pieces for, is available April 1, but you can click the link and pre-order it now through Amazon. I think the book is great not just because I’m one of the writers but because mothers need mothers, especially the new ones do to help them calm crying babies, soothe gassy stomachs, develop routines, maintain relationships, learn to breathe, and a ton of other stuff that only another mother could help with. This 365 day devotional with scriptures and prayers helps new moms negotiate a variety of issues they deal with as they adjust to life with a baby. Friends and family are irreplaceable, but Motherhood is like having 20 mothers serving new moms the real deal right in their own home. This is an invaluable tool that I think new moms would love to have.

The pieces are never preachy but point out how we learned and grew spiritually in our first year of motherhood. If you’re a new mom, get this book. If you know new moms, recommend or buy this book for them. I’m confident that you will be pleased.

Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith