What she does

When the evening comes, and the kids are bathing, and supper is over, and the kitchen is cleaned, this is the time I should come to the blog.  This is the time I should write about our day, about the pumpkin carving, the long walks, the great discussions, the funny jokes.  This is the time I record it all here, and share with you.  But, by this time of the day, I am exhausted.  Completely.  It has been a day well spent, and it has spent me.

So, I hope you will forgive my inconsistency on the blog lately, and in the future.

But today I want to share with you, and to be honest I am not exactly sure where this is going but it is on my heart to share.

In Warrior's language arts studies he is putting together a time capsule.  He is very excited about this, as he is sure that people in years to come, millions of years is what he is thinking, will greatly benefit from his knowledge and information.  He has said some of the sweetest things about this project, but if I tell you about them it will embarrass him.   I will, however, tell you a little story about what he did today.  Part of the assignment is to make a sheet about each member of your family telling who he/she is and what he/she does.  Today was the day he made one for me and one for his dad.  Well, dad was first, and his list contained words like 'awesome' and 'friendly' for who he is and a list of about 6 words describing what all he does.  Pretty cool, right?  Right.  It is so great that our kids think so much of their dad; he is a pretty great guy.

Now it was time for mom's list.  Mom did not get near as many words as dad for who she is, and she sure didn't get 'awesome', but that is not the best part.  What ALL does mom do?  Well, apparently the only thing mom does is teach, because the only word I got was 'teacher'. 

That's it.

What does she do? ' Teacher'

At first I was a little hurt.  I mean I 'do' all the time, surely I do more than just teach. 

But when he explained it to me, I was humbled and touched.  He said that I teach, all over the place.  I teach at church in a few different settings, including his Sunday school class.  I teach at home.  I teach.  According to my son, that is what I do. 

And really, that's not so bad.  That is the job God gave me, especially with my children.

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Deut. 6:6-7

So, if anyone wants to know what I do - I teach.

Weary

"And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart."  Matt. 18:1

This verse precedes a story in the book of Matthew about a widow who wearies an unjust judge with her continual petitions.  The verse tells us that Jesus told this story to His disciples so that they (and we) would always pray and not lose heart.  Jesus states, "And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?"

Have you ever had something you prayed for over and over again?  And kept praying, for years?  And years?

Did you ever get tired? Weary?  Lose heart?

I have.

Today was one of those days.  I have this prayer that I have brought before the Lord time and time again.  And He has assured me that it will come to pass.  One day.

But, one day is not today.  And it was not last week, or the week before that.  Actually, 'one day' has not come for the last 10 years.  Did you hear me?  10 years!

And today, I got tired.  It happens. It happens a lot, to be honest, over ten years.  Sometimes I just get so frustrated and hurt that I cry out to the Lord, 'are you even listening?!! why are things still the same? can't you see I am tired?!'

He is listening and He does see, as He so graciously reminds me every time I throw my little fit. 

As He did today.

He also reminded me that I have not been praying fervently about this subject lately.  You know how it is.  You just move on when nothing happens.  Of course you still pray about it, just not as often as you did at the beginning, or with as much conviction.  It's easy to just get used to the way things are and assume they will stay that way.  So over time my prayers changed.  The fervor was gone.  It was more a resigned prayer, not a believing and crying out prayer.  But as He reminded me today, He is still God and His word is still good.  He will accomplish His purpose, and He wants me to keep praying about it.  To not get weary.  To not lose heart.  Because He is listening and things are not the same no matter what I see and He sees everything.

So on those days when I get frustrated and weary and feel myself losing heart, He is my strength.  Day in and day out.  For the last 10 years, and for the next however many He determines.  He is my strength, and my hope, and my salvation.  On Him will I wait.

Galatians 6:9 "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Back to the Basics

For three years I had the amazing privilege of teaching the college/young adult Sunday school class at church.  It was a blast, and a challenge.  Young adults are such a unique group, and one has to really be prepared for the tough questions, and the lack of interest.  Don't get me wrong; I loved every minute of it and miss that class like crazy.  I was also humbled on a regular basis by my own shortcomings. 

I now teach the 4th - 6th grade class, which is a slightly different dynamic. 

No less humbling though.

When teaching the young adults, we dug deep in our study of Scripture, beyond the basics to the meat.

Now, it is all about the basics, with depth thrown in alongside the occasional Christmas song. :)

And I am discovering the refreshment in returning to the building blocks of faith in Christ.

The ten commandments, the 23rd Psalm, the hall of faith (Hebrews 11), the Lord's prayer.

The basics.  The beautiful, profoundly simple, yet magnificently astounding basics.

And this week, we learned about the first and greatest commandment.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."  Matthew 22:37

Pretty easy, right?

yeah, not so much.

When you really dissect this verse, and examine what it means to love God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, and ALL your mind, it is pretty tough. 

Impossible actually.

Except for ...

(and this is the best part)

Jesus Christ. 

See I can love God with most of my heart, and I might could love Him with a lot of my soul, and I could probably love Him with the majority of my mind.  But all? 

I mean, do I?  This is the first and greatest commandment.  This is the one.  And, I can't even do it. 


So, if it is impossible for me to love God with all my heart, soul, and strength, then how do I obey?

Again, Jesus Christ.

And that is the most basic element of faith there is:  Christ.

He is the building block. 

He is the basis.

Friday Five

Whew! What a week it has been! 

Days full of school, cleaning, Lego club, gymnastics, cub scouts, car maintenance, more car maintenance, car repair, ELO,  much more school, walks, laughing, and lots more.

And now it is Friday.

Time for Friday Five!!!

My Friday Five for this week is............ five of my favorite books!!  (Not my five favorites, mind you. These are in no particular order and I have many favorites.)

 And the Bible is my all-time favorite, so it is therefore above the list!!

1.  Radical by David Platt.  This is a great book about the conflict between the American Dream and being a disciple of Christ. This book made a HUGE impact in my life. Huge.

2.  Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.  Oh my, I am a huge Jane Austen fan.  I love happy endings and her books always have a happy ending.  Plus the writing is fabulous and full of wit and insight.

3.  The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers (A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, and As Sure as the Dawn).  These three books are amazing, period. I remember when my sister let me borrow the first one and I was completely lost in the story and so wrapped up that when I got to the end .......  Well, I don't want to ruin it for you, but let's just say that you should have the second close by.

4.  Okay, this next one is really good and you may just have to take my word on it.  The Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flannagan.  Yes, I know it is technically found in the youth room of the library, but it is a REALLY, REALLY great series (there are 11 books), especially if you have or are a young male. The entire series is excellently written and espouses virtues such as loyalty, integrity, honor, and respect.

5.  And last but not least, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  This book really opened my eyes to how much I, and most of us, overlook God's gifts every day, and for just how much I have to be grateful.  I know there was some controversy regarding the last chapter, which I did read but decline to comment on here.  Nevertheless, even if one chose not to read the last chapter, the book has some great insights. 

Okay, so there you have it.  Some of my favorite books, and mind you, there are many, many more.  This is just a sampling. 

So, what are some of your favorites??

And now, I think I will read A Voice in the Wind again.  Or The Ranger's Apprentice.  Oooohhhh, or Pride & Prejudice!!!

Have a blessed weekend!

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!!

Maybe tomorrow

I know I haven't been very regular on the blog lately, but to be honest, I am just drained by the time night rolls around.  Plus, I am battling some major allergies and sinus issues and Nyquil is my new best friend after about 9pm.  So, not only am I drained, I am also loopy. 

Hence, my absence. 

I am so ready for this weather to settle down.  I love fall.  I just wish it would come to stay.

One of my sisters called me the other day and left me a message that petty well sums up the last two days.

She said, 'You know the whole purpose of being a stay at home mom is so you can STAY AT HOME!'

Yeah, I don't think my life got that memo.

Yet, even still ....

" I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; " Psalm 34: 1-2a

Getting it

Wow! What a ride we are on!

It has been a little over a week since I began this journey in earnest, leaving one job behind to take up another, and I can honestly say I love it.  Is it easy breezy nice and easy all the time? NO!  Do we have our days?  No, we have our moments, every day.  Nevertheless, I love it.  It just feels so natural, and peaceful. 

Oh, and exhausting! 

It is like I never stop.  (I know my mom is laughing hysterically right now if she is reading this; her and Ms. L.) 

Seriously though, it is constant.  

It is amazing how much children want to soak up from their parents, even after having mom as a teacher all day.  My daughter still climbs up into my lap at night, still wants to help me in the kitchen, still wants mom to read her a bedtime story.  I know this season is short, which is why I am purposely resting in it while I can, and being constantly grateful for it.

I also love that I can teach again.  Oh I guess I never really stopped, but it stopped being what I 'did'. 

I love that moment as a teacher when the student finally 'gets it', you know.  The light bulb that finally turns on, the switch that finally flips, the moment of understanding.  It is such a wonderful thing to share with any student, but I am discovering the pure joy of sharing it with my children all day.  It is absolute delight to see their faces light up with comprehension, and then listen as they explain it back to me with such exuberance.  I love rejoicing with them, and encouraging them as they apply it.  I especially love it when it was a concept that was so daunting before, the one thing they could never understand, the one thing they could never do.  Oh the joy!!

And you know, I believe the Lord takes the same delight in us when we finally 'get it'.  When that light bulb finally comes on.  I can just imagine His rejoicing in our moment of understanding.  

There is so much about Him I still don't 'get', but there is no greater joy than the pursuit of Him.  Than pressing on for that moment of clarity, that moment of enlightenment. 

That moment where I get a little clearer glimpse of Christ.

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." Phil. 3:12

Friday Five

Okay it's that time again (you know I think I have started every Friday post with those exact words - sorry) - Friday Five!!!

I know you missed it last week.  Hopefully you recovered fully and are more than excited about this week.

This week I am going in a different direction.  I am not doing a 'favorites' list.  Instead, my Friday Five is a list of 5 random things I have learned or was reminded of over the past two weeks.  For those who do not know, the last 3 weeks have been pretty chaotic around here, and the Lord has taught me so much.

1.  I need Jesus.  For salvation, yes.  But also for every minute of every day.  He is the air I breathe.  And I am desperate for Him, always.

2.  Women who work full-time, or part-time for that matter, have kids, and whose husbands also work, are heroes, or more appropriately, heroines. How in the world they keep the house clean, the kids fed, the clothes washed, the school work done, the job, the husband, AND their sanity is beyond me.  Hats off to you, ladies!!

3.  My wardrobe is going to change, drastically, and that's okay.  I happen to like pajama pants.  I also like to dress cute so if you see me at Wal-mart a little over dressed, you know why.

4.  I like to sleep later than 5 am.  I like it a lot, a whole lot.  It's really quite refreshing.

5.  "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  1 Thess. 5:18

So, what have you learned this week?

Remember

"Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it."

Isaiah 46:9-11

My son and I had a very interesting conversation about verse 9 today, and about doubts and questions. 

And I was reminded of the passage again as I prayed with a very dear friend this evening who is going into surgery tomorrow.


What is it 'to remember?'

Remembering the former things.  Remembering the things God has done.  Remembering those times when there was no other explanation but Him.  Remembering the miracles.  Remembering the burning bush, the parting sea, the saturated altar that burst into flames.  Remembering the walk on water, the brother raised from the dead, the healing, the loaves and fishes.  Remembering the servant, the lashes, the crown of thorns, the cross. 

And, hallelujah, remembering the empty tomb, the nail-scarred hands, the glorious ascension, the promise.

A sure way to combat doubt or fear or apathy is to remember. 

To remember the former things.

To remember that He is God and there is no other.

To remember that His Word is law.

To remember that He has a plan and a purpose.
 

And...... Here we are

Okay, I am back.

I know you have all missed me terribly, and for that I apologize.  I went on a kind of unplanned sabbatical from the blog, actually from a lot of things, the last two weeks.  Life just happened, and it was a little more pressing to live it instead of write about it.

But God has brought us to a place of peace now, not ease, but peace.  His peace, you know, the one that passes understanding.  The peace of knowing you are right in His will, even if the storms rage around you.  The peace of obedience.  It is a wonderful thing, because in that place of obedience where I find the peace of obedience is where He is - and He is the greatest peace of all.

On a side note, don't you just love in scripture when it says 'But God....'  I know I do.

Gen.50:20 Joseph is telling his brothers that even though they planned evil for him, " but God meant it unto good,.."

Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Romans 5:7-8, "For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Ephesians 2:4-5 "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"

 Just to name a few.

So, God has brought us to a new season.  A season of change.  An 'I am a stay at home homeschooling wife and mother' season.

And I could not be more ecstatic!!!

In His time, in His season, His fruit. 

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Psalm 1:3