Articles written by Mary Gillmon

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Religion & Spirituality > Christianity (Other) Why don't young people come to church: 4 of 44

All over America, churches see their young people fleeing in droves as soon as they are old enough to choose their own path. Too many churches have a congregation that consists of the under-16 half and the over-30 half. From the teen years until the years people become parents themselves, many of them stay away from church a...
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: A child's love: 2 of 19

REALITY CHECK Shoulda been idyllic Such a beautiful, sunny day; Coulda been bucolic ocean breezes come our way. My biggest rides the horse While my next seeks butterflies; My toddler picks the flowers while Baby gazes into my eyes. Sitting in the pasture Under a branch of oak; The day could not be better I'm with my favorite...
Religion & Spirituality > Christianity (Other) Christian views on gossip: 2 of 15

I have come to believe that gossip is one of the most heinous and ubiquitous sins in today's modern Christianity. Especially for American women today, gossip is a cultural norm that is given broad sweeping acceptance. Even grocery shopping is a trap- I can't get through the checkout line without being bombarded with other pe...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Babies (Other) Should you co-sleep with your baby?: 2 of 15

I am, of course, aware that there are pros and cons to co-sleeping; another "neutral" article covering those is unnecessary. Consider this my polite disclaimer: Yes, I know my way isn't the only way. No, I'm not criticizing anyone else's way. Absolutely nothing is more personal than child-raising. With that said, I wouldn't ...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Feeding & Breastfeeding Breastfeeding is best: 3 of 18

We have all heard the adage that "breast is best"; however, an expectant mother needs to know the reasons behind the adage in order to make decisions about feeding her baby. Why is breastfeeding the best choice? The multitude of reasons can be grouped into three main categories: the health of the baby, the health of the moth...
Travel > Travel Diaries & Adventures (Other) Travel experiences: Best road-trip tales: 9 of 42

It was NOT the best of times. No, it was definitely the other one. Dickens must have been peering through the years at my life... Well, maybe it wasn't the WORST of times, but it sucked. We were financially done, just finished. My husband's job had fallen apart, he couldn't find another, and we were evicted. We had just spen...
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Natural childbirth: 9 of 25

My fourth baby is nursing/sleeping in my lap as I write- not the fastest typing method- but such is my existence since motherhood took my life by storm. My children, all born naturally, are between 3 months and 8 years. The first 3 were born at home with a midwife in attendance; the last, for financial reasons, was my only h...
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Healing after the death of a parent: 15 of 23

I'm a grown woman. I'm almost 39 years old, for goodness sake. However, ever since my father died I have had frequent bouts of 6-year-old-ism. Really, I can see myself revert to my braided, skinned-knee self. I want to kick and scream: "I want my Daddy!" I don't care how childish I sound in those moments; I just want him bac...
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Beliefs & Culture Have Christians as a whole left behind the teachings of Christ?: 19 of 29

To say that Christians have left behind the teachings of Christ neglects one very important detail: "There is no one righteous, not even one" (Romans 3:10; Psalm 14:3; Psalm 53:3; Ecclesiastes 7:20). Anything God says 4 times is pretty important! Paul says "What a wretched man I am!" (Romans 7:24) and "When I want to do good...
Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Giving birth: 7 of 10

A HOMEBIRTH TALE Dena had both longed for and dreaded this moment for months. There was no doubt that this was labor, unlike the previous pains she had experienced. "Mom said I'd know if it was real labor, but I didn't realize... I sure get it now," she mused. She sat back on the bed, trying to remember her childbirth classe...