God Qualifies The Called

When I decided to take on the tremendous task of homeschooling, I accepted the fact I would face challenges and bumps along the way. What I failed to realize, however, was how quick those challenges would surface. My life, at present, would best be compared to a section of road currently undergoing an expansion project. Our comfortable routines have been reconfigured, sanity has taken a detour and my faith has been steamrolled. And steamrolled. And steamrolled.

After one week of chaos followed by another week of exhaustion, I realized I can no longer contain my homeschooling routine in its cute little box. Instruction & learning will not always take place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 12 noon. Lunch will not always be sitting on the table precisely at 11:45 and my 2 year old daughter will NOT always be quiet when I am in the middle of a geography lesson. She might even try to eat South America, but you know what? It's OKAY.

It's okay...because God has me in the palm of His hand.
It's okay...because God is overseeing this expansion project and has full control.
It's okay...because God will not give me more than I can handle.
It's okay...because God will not allow me to crumble.

I am convinced (despite my tears, headaches and messy kitchen) I am moving closer and closer to God's will for my life. I need to remind myself our homeschooling journey is not about how much curriculum we can cram into our day. In fact, I did not make the decision to withdraw my children from public school because I felt the academics were insufficient. If I am being quite honest, I became convicted on the issue after two years of snarling at the idea! I finally resigned myself to the fact I must teach my children at home due to several reasons. First, I know this is God's best for OUR family. Secondly, the influence and power my leadership will have on my children is colossal. My greatest desire, more than anything else, is to see my children love Christ first and foremost. I want my children to serve others, always considering their needs second. I want to shape their character and instill virtues that will last beyond this lifetime. Although it is certainly my great hope to be a proud Mom of four college graduates someday, it is not my main goal. I long to see my children maintain an eternal perspective, live selfless lives and store their many treasures in heaven.

And so, we have begun our homeschooling journey. First grade, fourth grade, seventh grade and a prissy 2 year old sprinkled on top...
Challenges there will be, but I wholeheartedly expect the joys and rewards to far outweigh the negative. I am clinging tightly to God's word and recalling a statement made by Dr. Ruth Martin at the GHEA Homeschool Conference:

"The task ahead of you is not as great as the power within you."

Amen to that! The task that lies ahead is surely not as great as the power within me... and that power is none other than Jesus Christ. It is He who enables me to accomplish everything in life! His power alone, and nothing else, will guide my steps and qualify me for the task. His power will keep me grounded, even on days when the algebra solution is nowhere to be found. Even on days when my dyslexic child is frustrated beyond measure and cannot read any longer...

...EVEN on days when my 2 year old tries to eat South America.


"To God be the glory
Great things He has done
So loved He the world
That He gave us His son
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin
And opened the life gate that all may go in."

A Time For Purification

At first glance, today seemed like just another ordinary day. I took my boys to Vacation Bible school, played with my 2 year old, worked on laundry, and made a banana creme pie. As I sorted through tiny socks and character t-shirts, I began to quietly reflect on my days as a single mother. During that time in my life (it just seemed to drag forever), I carried around so many burdens. I worked from dawn until dusk to barely put bread on the table. I relied heavily upon my mother to pick up the slack with my own children... and I had a deep, deep longing to be loved & appreciated. I had not yet moved to the point of realizing Jesus was the only love I would ever need and the only One who would truly validate me.... and it wasn't until I finally accepted this truth that He gave me a wonderful husband. A husband that, although not perfect, fills my heart and is truly committed to our relationship. You see, God does have a perfect order for everything - and when we love HIM first, he will grant us the desires of our heart. You know why? Because when we relinquish control, His desires suddenly become our desires. I am totally convinced of this.

Sometimes, God will put us through a time of testing or purification so that His will may be done...to see us refined like gold. I believe this time of testing or purification is necessary in order to receive God's blessing and complete favor. All throughout the Bible, this is evident. It rained for 40 days & nights when Noah and his family lived on the arc. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years. Moses stayed atop Mount Sinai for 40 days. Eli led the Israelites for 40 years. Goliath came for 40 days before being killed by David. Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness....and those are just off the top of my head. The list goes on. I thought about my own circumstances and wondered if there was a period of time in my life when God put me through the same thing.

So, I am realizing yet again just how much the Lord has transformed my life. I am pretty amazed at how quickly things have changed for our family. Lately, my mind has been set on Fall activities for my children and purchasing a home school curriculum. I am quickly moving into uncharted waters, so it's very easy to allow fear and uncertainty to set in. With our current schedule, I am beginning to wonder how I will ever fit everything into a 7 day week. I anxiously walked over to the calendar to count the days until we start. I think I must have laughed a little when I realized the number of days left....

Forty, to be exact.

May I embrace tomorrow with open arms. May I keep my eyes and ears open to everything God wants to show me. May I find the strength and courage to teach my children and lead them down a righteous path. May I move into full obedience to Jesus Christ, never compromising who I am. May the Lord purify my heart. May He refine it like gold.