Day Four: Where's Your War Room?

It's still dark when I click on the little lamp beside my reading chair. I ease into the fuzzy arms of its oversized hug and it engulfs me. The ottoman holds my Bible and devotional, Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon--a gift from my beloved childhood friend, Tara. Should I mention all the homeschool books and stickers, bird journal and last night's tea cup? Well, you get the picture. It's my little nest where I read, listen, write, and sometimes converse with children. I tuck my feet under the afghan crocheted by Oma and begin to pray for insight for my quiet time. It's a war room of sorts. Did you see the movie? My chair is as close to a closet I'll get while kiddos are still sleeping. 

I wish I could say I'm here every single morning, but I have to muster every ounce of energy to drag my body from the warm duvet after my husband kisses me goodbye. When I do, there are no regrets. I am always grateful I did. This chair is where I've cried, poured over Scripture, slept, begged, laughed and grown up in Christ for many years. (Matthew 6:6) It's also where I've neglected Him. He's forgiven me of that and receives me again as soon as I snuggle in and continue communing with Him. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Where do you and the Holy Spirit do battle against the enemy? (James 4:7-10, Ephesians 6:10-20) Where do you fight for your family and friends in prayer? If you don't have a specific place, consider finding a cozy regular spot and make it your routine to visit with God daily there. Are you a morning person or a night hawk? It doesn't matter, just commit to be consistent. I encourage you to watch War Room to inspire you to meet with your Creator and be a witness to His power in your life and the lives of your loved ones.

 Not my reading chair, but a glorious spot at Tara's cottage on the lake :) 

A Guy Named Proverbs

I step into the living room and double-take the sight before me on the couch. My boy is snuggled up into the arm of the big, fuzzy sofa and reading his Bible. He's turned a corner and is now enjoying it and understanding most of what he reads... did I say, most?  :)

I ask him what he's reading and he tells me he's been trying to do a little Proverbs each day. Then he asks if I want to hear about it. Of course I do. My boy shifts in his spot and prepares to share.

"Well, there's this woman, who never stays at home...
(Uh-oh, I think, recognizing the chapter. Where is this one going?)
and she stands out on the street corner. This guy named Proverbs comes along and she kisses him.
(He smiles.)
She takes him to her house and then he gets shot by an arrow! Mommy, do you think the guy died?" He's quite serious now and blinks at me for an answer.

"Well," I'm scrambling to simplify and protect at the same time, "I think if Mr. Proverbs stays far away from Woman-Who-Never-Stays-At-Home, the arrow's wound will heal and he will be okay." My son is perplexed and so I explain a little more. "This woman is not a godly person. She is trying to tempt all the husbands away from their families so she can have them instead. The arrow means he's in trouble if he doesn't run away from her like Joseph with Potiphar's wife. Do you think he should get out of there? Or better yet, never have talked to her in the first place?" He's understanding now and nodding. I'm giggling inside and grateful for this stage of my boy's reading comprehension and spiritual development. So precious.

The Bible contains some adult themes and thankfully, my kids either don't catch on to them at first, or they ask questions. As difficult as the subject-matter may be, we desire they see these scenarios played out through God's mercy and purpose, His healing and redemption. They hear about or see everyday the persecuted church, war, abortion, deception, injustice, adultery, etc. in this present world. The Bible is a guidebook for how we are to interact with the world and how to stand for righteousness. With a visual Biblical timeline on our wall from Adam and Eve to when we are born and placed in history, my children have a good view of the cyclical disobedience and repentance of the Israelites and then Christians, over time. Their questions about life are best answered by looking at that timeline. What happens if we fall away from God's plan? What happens when we return to Him wholeheartedly? Memorizing God's Word also helps them have a quick go-to in a sticky situation.

What about your family? Do you shelter your kids from the tough subjects in the Bible? Do you find creative ways to use it to explain the evil in the world? I'd like to know your ideas!

Truth Intravenous

I hook up to the Truth Intravenous early in the morning. The words of Jesus course through my veins and remind me where I've come from and where I'm going. They are life and liberty, love and healing, inspiration and hope for a new day. In a week where I've been drained of energy, my patience has been more than tested, and twisted philosophies attempt to inject the port-line to my heart, I return to the Truth I.V. for a recharge. Then, as the day wears on and I encounter toxic contagions that bring my spirit down, it can only be temporary because the Holy Spirit whispers the anti-biotic I so desperately need...and I receive it.

Gratitude:

1839. this colour--all summer long

1840. the way they slowly and (im)patiently worked out a little song together--a first!

1841. driving with this kid and laughing together at her first drive-through

1842. her buddies and how they love her

1843. these two besties and how they are still little enough to mostly parallel play

1844. waking up to this scene (as they watch a movie together on a Saturday morning) 

1845. helping to decorate my nephew's wedding in our greenhouses

1846. how she fell asleep during the ceremony

1847. how Jenna's brothers checked out the groomsmen to the Mission Impossible soundtrack before she came down the aisle--all of us roaring with laughter!

1848. Mr. and Mrs.

1849. welcoming you to our crazy family, Jenna! Yep, you already fit in :)

1850. the way he carried his bride and swung her around

1951. getting roasted at the reception and taking it like a pro

1952. the way my sister-in-law makes everything she touches beautiful

1953. how she can be transferred and still sleep--none of our kids could!

 1954. lighting sparklers and creating more cousin memories

1955. all these amazing kiddos at Linda's memorial birthday party

1956. celebrating her life with fireworks once again

1957. all of us missing her and grateful for the years we were gifted after her diagnosis

1958. writing messages in memory of Linda on paper lanterns

1959. the way my brother-in-law, Martin (Linda's husband), is always the go-to man for fireworks and lantern launching

1960. sending them up and watching the beauty of light in the sky--whispering (a few more) goodbyes and see-you-soons

1961. when Grandpa gets into the food

Truth I.V.: gratitude glorifies God and God deserves the glory!

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, Luke 17:15

May I always remember to glorify You with my thanksgiving, Lord.

Day Fourteen: Stuff Gets In The Way

Before my feet touched the floor, I laid in my bed planning out my day and how fabulous I was going to be. I'd already prayed for patience and wisdom, I'd mapped out some solutions to possible roadblocks, and I was determined to check off the boxes of productivity before I laid my head down at night.

But stuff got in the way...

*She pulled her tiny body up, stood on the bed rails beside me and babbled about having a poopy pull-up. Oh man! I was sure we were almost "there" with the training at night. That meant a big clean up and bath would ensue.

*He stared out the window and begged to put the books away. The trail was calling him and there was no way I would be able to wrangle the distant thoughts of my young outdoors man.

*My turn came to spend the day with my sister-in-law, cutting small morsels to eat, administering pain medication, tucking blankets around her weak body. It was my honour and my pleasure, even though it was heart-wrenching to see her so altered. But, not much school that day; my kids were home alone again.

*I was interrupted as I attempted my morning devotions. The girls were clanging dishes, the washing machine timer went off and the odour of burning toast wafted into the room where I had settled in with afghan and the Word of God. Nope, not going to happen. 

But... soon enough, our sprout of a girl went home to be with her momma during the week and now I pick her up on Fridays to come home with us for a mere two and a half days. Sure, the school room is quiet and the work flows easily from the pens of my children, but we miss her. 

*My son needs to read Frog and Toad and write out his spelling words but catching toads teaches him more than any book ever could. 

*Each day with Linda is precious and I'll drop everything, if I need to be with her, memorizing every moment to ensure it's cemented in me. 

*Stuff gets in the way and I can't always sit down and begin my day with God as planned, but thankfully, He still hears me as I go about living and I, Him, as His voice guides me. I'll make that reading happen later in the day this time, and not be discouraged.

I'm so very thankful that stuff gets in the way of my plans. My heart is broken and healed, broken again and then well-taught. Life happens and the Lord keeps me learning and growing and reminding me of His love in the middle of it all.  

Day Four: Teach Them Diligently

The kettle boils and I walk with my tea to the laundry room where I fold a load. The phone rings and although I've made a resolution not to answer after 8:30 a.m., I pick it up anyway. The person on the other end is crying and I'm drawn in and the kids are taking turns riding by me on the Lil Tykes grocery cart. I'm calling to them to quiet down. I cover the phone and blast them through a huge breath, "Shouldn't you be doing your math?" I have a knot in my gut as I'm pulled in two different directions. That nagging, guilty feeling rises upward, suffocating me and I realize this has happened a couple of days in a row... and, I hadn't met with the Lord that morning either--tell-tale signs of that one happening all over the place.

By lunchtime, there are still two kids in pyjamas and one can't find her spelling book. I'm losing my patience and that friend on the phone--well, she's on her way over for more support. I'm bustling around tidying up and promising myself tomorrow will be better.

  

By evening, I've gotten angry that I have to make dinner early as we have weekly obligations to run to and as I lay my head on my pillow that night, I cry. I turn my face into my pillow and beg God to reveal what went wrong. One thing about a prayer like that is, if we're open, He answers quickly. I quietly weep and He gently shows me where I went astray. Not that spontaneity, as I shared about yesterday was the problem, not that dropping everything for a friend in need was either, but it was the deference from my goals and ground rules that stole my peace and joy. 

 

I've been at this home educating thing long enough to know exactly what my children need, what I need and how to make things flow smoothly in our home. Children love boundaries, they love schedules and routine and they flourish in predictable days. They also love spontaneous moms who are flexible and not so tied to rules and schedules that they can't break them... once in awhile. With this knowledge, I set goals for myself and for them at the beginning of each year. I write up schedules for each of them and ask my husband, a couple close friends and sisters to hold me accountable. But when I don't want to leave the warmth of my bed or have my feet to hit the cold floor early in the morning, when I don't meet with the One who encourages me, speaks to me and sends me lovingly into my day, I might flounder.

 

  

 

When I look back over the years, I can see the mercy of God, despite the odd bad day. My children are all reading, they can quote Scripture and poetry. They're all moving forward in math at a good pace. They have a love for books and being read to. My openness about my day to day struggle to get myself and my children motivated is not to put myself down or to give the impression that every day is a failure. Instead, my desire is to encourage homeschool parents that although we all have less than productive days, our children will learn as we work to correct and change those moments into life lessons, apologies and the catalyst to get "back in the saddle" without delay.

So, what does a great day look like around here? Mommy gets up early, communes with her Creator, realizes she can't do it alone, throws a load of laundry in, cracks some eggs in a pan, hugs each child as they wake, encourages them in their chores, and meets them in the school area to begin on time. Ah, the good life! Every one of us loves a day that begins as such. Even when Oliver doesn't want to read another page, when Molly wants to finish her art instead of begin history, when Emily would rather wrestle with Oliver, when Meghan is dying to FaceTime a friend, I can rally them and bring them back into focus quickly because we began well. Children really do want to be smart, they want to succeed and they are often happy to please when they understand what it's all for in the first place. I can offer them a good education when I'm prepared and I have begun well myself. 

If you nod your head with me that you also have moments (or full days) when things just don't go the way you'd planned, might I be the inspiration to keep you diligent? Let's stay focused and teach them well in 2014!

 

Day Fourteen (of 31 Days)

There have been several questions lately from my children about drawing close to God. They don't always know what they're asking exactly, but like all of us, there's a God-shaped hole in their hearts that must be filled by Him in order for them to have peace and contentment. I have shared Scripture, explained answers, given examples, but today the Lord showed me that nothing I say will make a difference if I don't model this drawing close.

It's so important that our children wake up to their mom sitting with an open Bible in her lap (or whatever time of day works for you). They also need to see us in prayer--on our own and not always with them. They will witness a real relationship and communion between their mom and her God. I had a mother who mentored me silently in this area. She always encouraged my sisters and I to read and pray but it was her own habit of communing that makes it important for me today. Modeling will be the most powerful lesson they will ever see. Let's be sure to model what we preach this month as we draw near personally.

Words of Life

What is Rhema? It's God speaking to us through His living Word. Scholars believe it to be a special revelation to the individual. I'm learning to read with listening ears. What is God saying to you? His Logos, or His Word contains the answers to our questions but do we always search there first? Make it your goal today to meditate on His Words of Life for you. Have you heard Him speak lately? Ever? Begin with prayer and ask Him to give you the gift of His response. Read a Psalm and something from the New Testament, then be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Use the words of Samuel, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening (1Samuel 3:10) and wait. Journal what comes to you. Sometimes it's the need to confess something, which is often a blockage to us hearing God. Make it a habit to really study the Word of God. Look up words and phrases that are difficult to understand. Memorize portions of Scripture that are particularly meaningful to you at this time. Ask the Lord to give you a special chapter, verse, or word. Try to live by these Words of Life daily, and when you fail, which is inevitable for us all, allow Him to pick you up, dust you off and begin again.

Join me this summer in memorizing Psalm 103.