Day Twenty-Six: Sticks And Stones

Ever been astounded by a particular prayer? The one that blows my mind is when Jesus, beaten and tortured, hanging on a cross, and struggling for air, cried out, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) Could I beg God to go easy on my enemy? When someone has wounded with words and actions and spread false accusations about me? Could I utter the same request? Stephen, as he was being martyred, had learned from his Lord, and he pleaded a similar appeal. (Acts 7:60) These were murders. Sticks and stones injure the body, but how much more should I pray forgiveness for those who name-call or judge? 

Besides the prayer to receive Jesus into your life, this one seems of paramount significance. The Lord told us to forgive others so that God will forgive us. (Matthew 6:14) That alone causes me to inquire of Him to reveal anyone I may not have released in my heart from past or present wrongs. Is there someone you haven't forgiven? Pray the prayer today that will set you free from the bondage of grudge-holding. It's ugly, and a big waste of time. Names and words do hurt, however, God restores relationships and wounded hearts. 

 When my old hobbies become useful to my kids! It's wasn't a waste of money :)

Day Thirty: A Mother's Determination

I push the Secret Garden CD into the player, wait a few seconds then glance in my review mirror. I marvel at how four rambunctious, wiggly kiddos fall silent and still upon hearing the first sentence uttered in a thick English accent. For the rest of the hour long drive, I don't hear a peep. They're riveted. We've taken many detours and driven past our home several times in order to listen to the last minutes of our radio theatre stories. I've played these CDs since my oldest was very small and I'll play them until my youngest tires of them. My children know I love these stories and I have often paused them to explain what's going on when they were too little to fully understand. They're used to this riding and listening and I'm thankful.

 

***

She reads Shakespeare to our children, only she does it through graphic novels and pauses to remind the kids, "Don't forget, this dude has a thing for Olivia." and "The jester really has a lot going on upstairs, if you know what I mean!" and "She totally digs him." They colour a Shakespearean scene and look up at the pictures now and then, but what they're really interested in is this mom's passionate explanations of the dialogue. At the end of the reading (in which my sister and I are stifling laughter the entire time), the kids can answer every question and we're blown away.

 

 

***

They run into thrift stores because they're looking for a croaking frog for their Rainforest room. It's almost totally decorated and their projects are well under way. The kids are excitedly preparing for presentation day when all their homeschool friends arrive and they can show off  all they've accomplished. Their mom has a love for science, especially biomes, and it's rubbing off in a big way. They spend extra time on the details of the room, their-larger-than-life paper maches, and their essays to make it all realistic. The result is nothing less than inspiring.

 

***

She's all about "being there". She's intentional in planning outings that will deepen her children's love of learning. She frequents the Science Centre, the Pioneer Village, and other locations that foster a greater understanding for the theme in their current education. These children know what things look like, sound like, feel like, smell and taste like because this mom's desire is for them to truly know their subject beyond the books.

 

***

Her fervor for dialoguing with the culture in an effort to share her faith in a relevant way leaks out to her kids. She reads to them and shows them videos that will stir their thinking and cause them to question what blanket ideas they have about people. She won't allow thoughtless answers, only ones that take another person's worldview and culture into consideration. She doesn't compromise the Gospel, but makes sure that her children don't judge others by some half-hearted standard. She wants them to love as Jesus loves.

 

***

She doesn't have a lot of money for fancy curriculum but she is dedicated to getting the best resources for her children. She regularly uses inter-library loans, she frequents local thrift stores and borrows from friends and family. She prints lapbooks and other activities she finds online and uses every last book and idea she can squeeze out of her conscientious planning. Her children benefit from her routine and order and yet, fascinating ability to be flexible.

 

 

 

***

What do all these mothers have in common? A love for teaching their children at home. No matter how they choose to implement their kids' education, their greatest credentials are their determination, God's blessing, and His mercy and grace. Gratitude runs through the veins of these women. Children love to learn from a momma who loves what they're teaching. These moms are thankful for the opportunity to be free to home educate and grateful for the little and big ones who've been entrusted to them.

 

A few fabulous resources for you...

 

The Adventures of Jonathan Park audio CDs

Mrs.G Bible Story CDs

Currclick resources

Dinah-Might resources

My friend, Sandee's Blog

Meet the Dubiens

Small Things Blog

beautiful, inspiring story of love (video)

Educating Laytons

Trimming The Tree And... The Excess Of My Heart

It was right about when she hung that mess of balls together and he strung the gold beads all criss-crossy on our tree that I remembered a scene from a few years ago. Of course, they were much littler then, but somehow I cared so much more how perfect everything had to be, how each ball had it's place and how each light should be turned outward. And, when those small people had been tucked in tight under quilts, I'd go back and rearrange. Somehow, God got a hold of me, and as my children trim the tree year after year, my Lord trims the excess stuff from my heart, the stuff that keeps kids from feeling like their efforts are good enough. I see life so much clearer now.

I am thankful.

 Joy-filled Trimmers working side by side...

...singing the entire time :)

I especially enjoy how there are groupings of ornaments in various places ;)

They're not quite finished and I may give them a little help tomorrow... but I don't have to, and that makes me free.

What Kind Of Wife Are You?

It's coming September 30th and we've all been waiting. The movie, Courageous, is finally being released in theatres here in Canada and we're looking forward to the miracles that will undoubtedly occur in men around the country. You see, we women are always looking for a way to slip that book or movie to our husbands. That Scripture verse that reminds them that they're not measuring up in the "Spiritual Headship" department. Perhaps they're mediocre fathers. And they'll come to view this movie, if we can get them out the door, and they will be changed. I'm confident in God's purpose and power in this venue.

But a close friend of mine, who had seen the premiere and raved about it said to me, "Now, who is going to be brave enough to make a movie about bossy and self-righteous wives?!"

We can all step back and take inventory of our wifely character. Some are humble and mature and if you're one of those women, this post isn't for you! (but you would do well to find one of the women I write about and mentor them, please!). If the rest of us are truly honest about how we treat our husbands, what we demand of them and how we fight to prove how right we are, we'll have to admit that every inch of it is sin. Oh, how we want it to be all about them!

I lived with this attitude for many years. At 17 years of marriage, I can say that the Lord has had to discipline me lovingly (albeit the hard way) to become more Christ-like. Man, were they some tough lessons! I praise God that I can stand on the other side of that attitude and recognize the ugliness. Do I fall back into that behaviour and thinking? Yes, sometimes, but I notice it immediately, and if I'm allowing the Holy Spirit to be my guide, I quickly repent and God graciously redeems.

As wives, all we desire is to have loving and fulfilling relationships with our husbands. We desire affection and a feeling of being cherished by them. We want to know they are growing closer to God so that they can lead us in a godly way. Deep down, we don't want to be the boss! Sadly, the very thing we desire, we tear down the possibility with our own hands (Proverbs 14:1). However, past hurts cause us to become control-freaks or, in some cases, we believe we must take over because our husbands are too weak to lead. Obviously, I can't deal with layers of issues in one small post but what I do know is that I've been there and God's grace has set me free! I'm no longer the woman and wife I once was. He can set you free as well and help you to understand your role and how to give your husband to Him to take care of. God desires even more than you to see your husband become the man he's meant to be. My husband can attest to this as well and has been moved incredibly by the Lord, and the change in me made it a whole lot easier for him!

I once heard in a message on marriage that  instead of controlling and changing our husbands, our job is to help them hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Is that your goal today? Or do you behave as though your man was put on this earth to make you happy and secure? What kind of wife are you? May the Lord open your eyes as you seek His face. May He bless you as you allow yourself to be humbled and changed in a powerful and wonderful way that actually works for you so much more than what you're currently experiencing.

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.  Proverbs 14:1

Receiving Freedom

The rain is falling hard and my head is pounding. It's been several days of rain here and as it trickles or pours, it puddles and drains, puddles and drains. I squeeze my eyes tight and open. The burning from countless tears today blurs my vision as I write. So much to ponder and yet I read today, don't be so introspective that you get lost in your own self-made despair. You see, the enemy had me convinced again that I am a failure, that I'll never measure up and be the mother these babes need, let alone the wife I should be. I counsel friends who drift down the same deceptive path. I warn them it's laden with lies and that they must lean on God's truths. But I find myself slipping ever so slowly... until I land hard at the bottom of the pit of low self-worth.

I called my sister, weeping and could barely get the words out--that I felt like the worst mother. She tried to decipher my squeaks and when she finally grasped my words she said, "Oh, thank goodness that's all! I thought something terrible was going on!"

I sobbed, "What could be more terrible than being a bad mother?"

The usual joy-filled conversation with my sister took an ugly turn and I couldn't get a hold of myself. She began to speak words of life over me and fill my heart and mind with the truth once again.

"But God has to fix me!" I groaned, hating the sound of my voice uttering something I knew was foolish.

Minutes passed as she lavished me with her baby-sister-wisdom and although I initially fought against the simplistic beauty of her encouragement, I began to open myself to receive what she was offering. She said, "What if He already has? What if it's done and He's telling you to go with the wisdom He's granted to use for your daily living?"

I held my breath for a moment. Then Holy Spirit flooded in and I saw Jesus emerging from that tomb and oh what His resurrection affords! After a week of sharing with friends, giving similar advice, and teaching Bible Study with these very keys, I sank into my chair and into the Father's arms of love. I had been busy--busy sharing Him without sitting with Him. I had been open to attack and it came on sudden and strong. But with His rising from the dead, freedom comes from that and whom the Son sets free is free indeed!

Tonight I type words and deal with stinging eyes and swollenness that come after the crazy sobs and I breathe deeply. The peace that passes all understanding has settled in me and I feel each muscle relax. I post photos of my babes and soak up each detail of their preciousness. I speak aloud, "You have made me their mother and I am worthy because I am Yours. You are moving me in Your timing and I yield to Your will and Your way, Lord. Only You can make me who You want me to be. I don't want to be any more or any less."

"The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it." I Thessalonians 5:24

My Stubborn Heart

Oh, the anguish and struggle I can put myself through, spiraling, spiraling ever downward. Wondering, waiting, wringing my hands and searching for meaning in it all. Why do I create such chaos from circumstance? Why do I wallow when it's the wallowing that hurts? I stand on the shore, blocked by a barricade of rocks, staring out at the freedom that could be mine--simply by trusting. Such a stubborn heart I have... it has not helped me yet. Why lean on it now?

But, He calls to me.

Hear O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me! ...I am the Lord your God... open your mouth wide and I will fill it. But My people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels. Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries. Psalm 81:8-16

Oh God, help me to read and LISTEN! Don't give me over to my stubborn heart. I want to walk in YOUR counsel, not my own. I get nowhere on my own. You offer peace, joy and all good things. I want YOUR way. I CHOOSE it today.