Called out from the pulpit

Have you ever heard your preacher call out your name during a sermon? It can certainly get your attention! :)

This morning Tim was preaching from the story of Abraham. He read what the angel of the Lord said to Hagar:

“You are now with child
    and you will have a son.
You shall name him Ishmael,
    for the Lord has heard of your misery.
He will be a wild donkey of a man;
    his hand will be against everyone
    and everyone’s hand against him,
and he will live in hostility
    toward all his brothers. ”

Then Tim asked, "Janay, has anyone ever asked you to embroider that? 'He will be a wild donkey of a man'?" That got quite a chuckle, as he made his point that this really wasn't the best news to receive about an expectant child. And no, no one has ever asked me to embroider that. It's certainly not a prophesy to brag about or advertize. :)

But it got me thinking... there sure are a lot of phrases you find on children's clothing that really aren't things I would choose to embroider. Thankfully in the last five years I have not been asked to do something I am uncomfortable with. I'm sure the day will come, but I do plan to stand my ground and decline. 

I personally do not like phrases like "Drama Queen" or "Here Comes Trouble". While they may be true ;) they aren't behaviors I want my children to exhibit, so why would I glamorize them? 

How about "Future Diva" or "Lock up your daughters"? Do you really intend to raise a self-absorbed girl focused on her appearance? A son who is disrespectful to women?

"That's it -- I'm calling Grandma!"  What exactly does this mean? That a child has had enough parental discipline (which he probably deserved) and is heading to someone who will give into his every whim? Eh.... again not an attitude I want to endorse. (And thankfully my kids don't have a grandma like that!)

For twins, instead of "Double Trouble", how about "Double Blessing"?

When my friend asked me to make a "Future World Strongest Woman" shirt for her daughter to wear to her husband's strongman competition, I was delighted to create the design. I enjoy items that promote personal achievement or celebrate people we are proud of. I'm not so thrilled with phrases that brag, and was thankful she didn't ask for something like "My dad is stronger than your dad." (Although in this case it would be true -- he ended up winning, hee hee...) 

One of my greatest pet peeves -- designs that belittle education. Just this week I saw a painted item that said:

  2 cute

+2 do   

  math

Oh, don't you know that my face instantly got red!! I thought my heart was going to pound right out of my chest. I won't even launch into all the myriad of reasons why that is horrible.

But sometimes it's very subtle. For example, last summer as Annaliese and I were selecting a design for her back to school shirt, we found one in which we both liked the frame, but I wanted to swap out the text for something else. I wasn't thrilled with "homework" being crossed out and a big check mark next to "recess" & "lunch". I explained to her that she is a good respectful girl, that teachers assign homework for a reason. Even if she doesn't like it, she should be respectful towards her teacher's choices. A shirt with homework crossed out looks like complaining or rebellion. I was expecting an "Oh, mom...." rolling of the eyes type of response, but she surprised me. Instead she said, "Oh, I would be a seed of discontent."

YES! We don't want to be a seed of discontent! I want Annaliese to encourage her peers to do their best, even with the words on her clothing! So we swapped the text to "Second Grade" and it turned out way cute. :)

 ... so, not your typical Stitched by Janay blog post, huh? There's not even a photograph! Just some of the thoughts that have been rumbling around in my head. Please know that my intention is not to judge the choices others make in dressing their children, but to simply offer my point of view. To challenge you to think carefully about what we glamorize and promote. To my friends, please continue making custom requests, just don't be offended if I say no for personal reasons. I want my projects to be encouraging, not degrading. To honor God. 

And please hold me accountable! If you see a future project of mine that doesn't stay in line with my goals, call me out! But preferably in private, not from the pulpit. ;)