I just read an online discussion regarding homeschooling. In response to the question "Do you think homeschooling is good for children? Would you homeschool your children? Why or why not?" one individual responded that while she (or he, I'm not sure) knows that homeschooled students do well academically, and she knows that there are opportunities for homeschooled children to socialize, she would not homeschool her child because "the experience is just not the same as going to school".
Okay, excuse me for sounding like an obnoxious kid here, but I can't help thinking "Well, DUH!"
The experience is NOT the same, and that is a BIG part of the reason that my husband and I have chosen to educate our children at home. Those who constantly scream that homeschooled kids need to go to school to learn social skills are ridiculous. Walking everywhere in a line, responding automatically to whistles or classroom lights being turned on and off, and being told that you must study only what 30 other children born within a year of you are studying is NOT learning social skills! If anything, it's learning SOCIALIST skills! LOL!
Lets think rationally here for a moment. People tell me all the time that I should send my kids to school so that they can experience "the real world'. That makes me laugh. Why? Because in the real world, every job I've ever held, I worked with people of various ages~NEVER did I work ONLY with people who were born within a year of me. In the real world, I"m expected to complete projects and accomplish tasks on my own, not with a "commander" standing over me every second. In the real world, I can eat lunch because I"m hungry, not because some bell sounded. I can go to the restroom when I need to go, and I don't have to ask permission, thereby sharing with everyone else in the room what I need permission for.
In the real world, if I am "bullied" by someone, I can leave that establishment and do business elsewhere, or I can begin looking for another job so that I can leave that one as soon as possible. I am not forced to continue to see the bully day after day, with my only option being to report the bullying to teachers who have little or no authority to put a stop to it. In the real world, I learned to get along with people of all ages, not to make fun of the "little kids" or pick on the "freshmen".
Homeschooling is not the same experience as attending traditional school? You're darn right it's not, and thank goodness for that!!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Family Circus
I was treated to something very special today. Right outside, in my very own backyard, I saw a wonderful circus!
Ah, yes. The show began with a handsome little ringmaster, (my son Noah) who welcomed me to the show, and introduced Zora, (my daughter Alex) who astounded me with her magnificent feats of grace and balance on the high wire ( some boards in our backyard). I then had the opportunity to be awed by the lovely Zoe (my daughter Rachel) and her amazing tricks on the flying trapeze( the swingset).
Then, much to my surprise, the handsome little ringmaster suddenly became "Bob the Clown", and had us all in stitches with his hilarious antics. And, all of this was accompanied by extreme cuteness from "Dixie the Wonderdog"!
As I heartily applauded the grand finale, the ringmaster thanked me for coming to see "The Greatest Show on Earth".
You know what? He was absolutely right. :)
Blessings,
Vicki
Ah, yes. The show began with a handsome little ringmaster, (my son Noah) who welcomed me to the show, and introduced Zora, (my daughter Alex) who astounded me with her magnificent feats of grace and balance on the high wire ( some boards in our backyard). I then had the opportunity to be awed by the lovely Zoe (my daughter Rachel) and her amazing tricks on the flying trapeze( the swingset).
Then, much to my surprise, the handsome little ringmaster suddenly became "Bob the Clown", and had us all in stitches with his hilarious antics. And, all of this was accompanied by extreme cuteness from "Dixie the Wonderdog"!
As I heartily applauded the grand finale, the ringmaster thanked me for coming to see "The Greatest Show on Earth".
You know what? He was absolutely right. :)
Blessings,
Vicki
Monday, May 4, 2009
Genuine Faith
Calvin was a young boy who was blessed with a talent to sing. He was raised in a little country baptist church~you know, the little white wooden church with creaky pews and ladies dressed in their Sunday best fanning themselves with paper fans from the funeral home.
The preacher was fiery sort who liked to shout and thump the pulpit to emphasize a point. The song leader was Calvin's Dad.
From time to time, singers would come and visist the church~families that traveled around singing together, or good old fashioned southern gospel quartets. When Calvin was 12 years old, he was invited to join a southern gospel quartet on the road. Calvin would have loved that, but his parents deemed him too young to travel so much, and would not allow him to go. Calvin remained with his family, ad grew up in that church.
Over the years, Calvin grew up, married, had 4 children, divorced, remarried many years later. There came a time in Calvin's life when he stopped going to church. He had been deeply hurt by some folks in a church, and simply chose to stay away.
But, even when he was not attending church, Calvin's love for the Lord never disappeared. He loved to talk about the Lord, loved gospel music, and even enjoyed sharing the true Word of God with the Mormons and Jehovah's witnesses who frequently knocked on his door.
In April, 2008, Calvin lost his wife of 18 years. She was truly the love of his life, and his family feared that he may not want, or be able, to go on without her. He sort of "holed up" in his house, and his family feared for his physical and mental well being. Then one day, a neighbor invited Calvin to church. Much to the surprise of his family, Calvin agreed to go. He seemed to get a bit of his "spark" back.
Soon afterwards, Calvin's daughter convinced him to move in with her. This move would bring him nearer to not just this daughter, but his entire family. Calvin began attending church regularly with his family.
Then one day, Calvin, who was by now 85 years of age, suffered a stroke. As often happens with stroke victims, Calvin lost much of his ability to speak. For several days, he would attempt to talk, but only the first word would come out clearly~everything else was garbled gibberish.
While Calvin was in the hospital, his pastor came to see him. The pastor told him "Calvin, you don't have to try to answer me, but I just want you to know that I really appreciate your coming to church faithfully since you've moved here. I know that the folks at our church would understand if a man of your age and health were not able to attend regularly, and no one would think any less of you if you didn't. But you do, and you are an encouragement to all of us, and I just want you to know that."
Calvin, with tears in his eyes, was able to speak clearly for the first time in days. He looked the pastor in the eye and said "I LOVE JESUS!"
Those simple words were meant to explain that Calvin comes to church regularly because he loves Jesus and wants to learn of Him and be around other people who love him. What wonderful places our churches would be if everyone who came to church came for that reason, and that reason alone!!!
Calvin is my grandfather. Several days after he spoke those words to his pastor, the Lord touched him, and he fully regained his speech. He is once again faithfully attending church, becuase he loves Jesus :)
I've learned a lot from my grandfather. There was a time when I thought that a person who did not attend church every sunday MUST be knee deep in sin. Now, please understand me, I am not "knocking' church. My husband and I attend faithfully, and we take our children with us. But, I saw in my grandfather's life that a person can worship God alone, or in small groups outside a traditional church building, and still grow in his relationship with the Lord.
I"m afraid I'm not being very clear in expressing my thoughts on this. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, and I am NOT disputing that. I am only saything that "assembling ourselves together" doesn't have to be in a large crowd, or in a big church. It might be in a remodeled basement, like the church I attend. It doesn't have to be with a huge crowd. It might be with just 5 or 6 other families, like our church. My point is that wherever we attend church, wherever we worship the Lord, it should be because we love Jesus, and for no other reason.
The preacher was fiery sort who liked to shout and thump the pulpit to emphasize a point. The song leader was Calvin's Dad.
From time to time, singers would come and visist the church~families that traveled around singing together, or good old fashioned southern gospel quartets. When Calvin was 12 years old, he was invited to join a southern gospel quartet on the road. Calvin would have loved that, but his parents deemed him too young to travel so much, and would not allow him to go. Calvin remained with his family, ad grew up in that church.
Over the years, Calvin grew up, married, had 4 children, divorced, remarried many years later. There came a time in Calvin's life when he stopped going to church. He had been deeply hurt by some folks in a church, and simply chose to stay away.
But, even when he was not attending church, Calvin's love for the Lord never disappeared. He loved to talk about the Lord, loved gospel music, and even enjoyed sharing the true Word of God with the Mormons and Jehovah's witnesses who frequently knocked on his door.
In April, 2008, Calvin lost his wife of 18 years. She was truly the love of his life, and his family feared that he may not want, or be able, to go on without her. He sort of "holed up" in his house, and his family feared for his physical and mental well being. Then one day, a neighbor invited Calvin to church. Much to the surprise of his family, Calvin agreed to go. He seemed to get a bit of his "spark" back.
Soon afterwards, Calvin's daughter convinced him to move in with her. This move would bring him nearer to not just this daughter, but his entire family. Calvin began attending church regularly with his family.
Then one day, Calvin, who was by now 85 years of age, suffered a stroke. As often happens with stroke victims, Calvin lost much of his ability to speak. For several days, he would attempt to talk, but only the first word would come out clearly~everything else was garbled gibberish.
While Calvin was in the hospital, his pastor came to see him. The pastor told him "Calvin, you don't have to try to answer me, but I just want you to know that I really appreciate your coming to church faithfully since you've moved here. I know that the folks at our church would understand if a man of your age and health were not able to attend regularly, and no one would think any less of you if you didn't. But you do, and you are an encouragement to all of us, and I just want you to know that."
Calvin, with tears in his eyes, was able to speak clearly for the first time in days. He looked the pastor in the eye and said "I LOVE JESUS!"
Those simple words were meant to explain that Calvin comes to church regularly because he loves Jesus and wants to learn of Him and be around other people who love him. What wonderful places our churches would be if everyone who came to church came for that reason, and that reason alone!!!
Calvin is my grandfather. Several days after he spoke those words to his pastor, the Lord touched him, and he fully regained his speech. He is once again faithfully attending church, becuase he loves Jesus :)
I've learned a lot from my grandfather. There was a time when I thought that a person who did not attend church every sunday MUST be knee deep in sin. Now, please understand me, I am not "knocking' church. My husband and I attend faithfully, and we take our children with us. But, I saw in my grandfather's life that a person can worship God alone, or in small groups outside a traditional church building, and still grow in his relationship with the Lord.
I"m afraid I'm not being very clear in expressing my thoughts on this. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, and I am NOT disputing that. I am only saything that "assembling ourselves together" doesn't have to be in a large crowd, or in a big church. It might be in a remodeled basement, like the church I attend. It doesn't have to be with a huge crowd. It might be with just 5 or 6 other families, like our church. My point is that wherever we attend church, wherever we worship the Lord, it should be because we love Jesus, and for no other reason.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Don't Give Me That!!
Today, I encountered someone who was lamenting the sad state of this country's public schools. The person then commented that they do not homeschool because they cannot afford to homeschool.
Okay. I GET that not every one is ever going to homeschool. I"m not even saying that everyone SHOULD homeschool. But, if you are going to give me a reason why you can't or won't homeschool, DON'T give me THAT ONE!
Yes, there are some families who spend several hundred dollars per school year, per child, to homeschool. But that is NOT the only way to educate your child.
If you can get to a library and fill out the card to obtain a FREE library card, then you CAN homeschool your children!! If you go to used book shops, yard sales, or swap meets with other homsechooling familes, you can homeschool your child for next to nothing! The sheer volume of free resources available on the internet is mind boggling!!
So, if you would never consider the thought of homeschooling, fine. Tell me that you think your children are better off in a traditional school. Tell me that you don't think you could do it. Tell me you don't want to do it. Best of all, tell me that God has not led you to homeschool your children, that it's not His will for your family. But to say that you don't homeschool because you can't afford it??
Don't give me that.
Okay. I GET that not every one is ever going to homeschool. I"m not even saying that everyone SHOULD homeschool. But, if you are going to give me a reason why you can't or won't homeschool, DON'T give me THAT ONE!
Yes, there are some families who spend several hundred dollars per school year, per child, to homeschool. But that is NOT the only way to educate your child.
If you can get to a library and fill out the card to obtain a FREE library card, then you CAN homeschool your children!! If you go to used book shops, yard sales, or swap meets with other homsechooling familes, you can homeschool your child for next to nothing! The sheer volume of free resources available on the internet is mind boggling!!
So, if you would never consider the thought of homeschooling, fine. Tell me that you think your children are better off in a traditional school. Tell me that you don't think you could do it. Tell me you don't want to do it. Best of all, tell me that God has not led you to homeschool your children, that it's not His will for your family. But to say that you don't homeschool because you can't afford it??
Don't give me that.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
We Need A Little Christmas, Right This Very Minute!!
I am taking this opportunity to thank God for giving me the perspective that I've needed over the last week or so.
There have been so many things that could have really left me "down in the dumps", but God is merciful, and He has instead allowed me to be encouraged, rather than discouraged, with recent circumstances.
I would have been really upset about the election results, but God graciously led me to a few Scriptures that encouraged me, including Jeremiah 29:11, reminding me that God has plans for me, and that His plans are for my good, not my harm, and Romans chapter 13, wich speaks of the fact that our leaders are placed in their positions BY GOD and can be used by Him as a minister for our good.
My husband has also been out of town for the last few days. He does not have to travel very often, and I HATE it when he does. The kids seem out of sorts, and everything just seems harder. It didn't help that he ended up having to stay one extra day all ready, and may have to stay even longer. But, God has used this time to remind me once again how much I appreciate my husband and all the things he does for me, for our kids, for our family. My husband is God's gift to me, and I will be SO glad when he is home!
I was even a little bummed about the holidays, and that is NOT like me at all. Then, God once again used His Word to encourage me~this time in the form of the Peanuts character Linus, who recites Luke chapter 2 during "A Charlie Brown Christmas'.
I had been wondering how in the world we could celebrate anything with finances being tight, and the country, in our opinion, going down the tubes. Then, as I sat and watched A Charlie Brown Christmas with my kids, it occured to me~this year, we have more to celebrate than ever!!
Of course, we have the "usual" things to be thankful for~my husband and I have a wonderful marriage that is the greatest treasure we possess, next to our salvation. We are blessed with 3 wonderful children, who are all healthy. I've been blessed with the calling to not only parent them, but also to homeschool them. We may not have everything we want, but we have everything we need.
As for the state of the country and the world, I am hopeful, looking forward to watching God bless and prosper His children regardless of their circumstances or surroundings. I am more thankful than ever that we have a soon-returning Savior who is going to take us out of this wicked, sin cursed world, and then return to rule and reign with the truth and justice that we all long for.
Knowing that, how can I do anything else BUT celebrate Thanksgiving, basking in all that He has done for me, and then revel in the joy of Christmas, celebrating the birth of my Saviour, who is in ultimate control, and has GREAT plans for me.
Even if you feel that you have nothing else to celebrate, let's celebrate Our Savior!!
So, let me be the first to say,
Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas! and Happy New Year!
Vicki
There have been so many things that could have really left me "down in the dumps", but God is merciful, and He has instead allowed me to be encouraged, rather than discouraged, with recent circumstances.
I would have been really upset about the election results, but God graciously led me to a few Scriptures that encouraged me, including Jeremiah 29:11, reminding me that God has plans for me, and that His plans are for my good, not my harm, and Romans chapter 13, wich speaks of the fact that our leaders are placed in their positions BY GOD and can be used by Him as a minister for our good.
My husband has also been out of town for the last few days. He does not have to travel very often, and I HATE it when he does. The kids seem out of sorts, and everything just seems harder. It didn't help that he ended up having to stay one extra day all ready, and may have to stay even longer. But, God has used this time to remind me once again how much I appreciate my husband and all the things he does for me, for our kids, for our family. My husband is God's gift to me, and I will be SO glad when he is home!
I was even a little bummed about the holidays, and that is NOT like me at all. Then, God once again used His Word to encourage me~this time in the form of the Peanuts character Linus, who recites Luke chapter 2 during "A Charlie Brown Christmas'.
I had been wondering how in the world we could celebrate anything with finances being tight, and the country, in our opinion, going down the tubes. Then, as I sat and watched A Charlie Brown Christmas with my kids, it occured to me~this year, we have more to celebrate than ever!!
Of course, we have the "usual" things to be thankful for~my husband and I have a wonderful marriage that is the greatest treasure we possess, next to our salvation. We are blessed with 3 wonderful children, who are all healthy. I've been blessed with the calling to not only parent them, but also to homeschool them. We may not have everything we want, but we have everything we need.
As for the state of the country and the world, I am hopeful, looking forward to watching God bless and prosper His children regardless of their circumstances or surroundings. I am more thankful than ever that we have a soon-returning Savior who is going to take us out of this wicked, sin cursed world, and then return to rule and reign with the truth and justice that we all long for.
Knowing that, how can I do anything else BUT celebrate Thanksgiving, basking in all that He has done for me, and then revel in the joy of Christmas, celebrating the birth of my Saviour, who is in ultimate control, and has GREAT plans for me.
Even if you feel that you have nothing else to celebrate, let's celebrate Our Savior!!
So, let me be the first to say,
Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas! and Happy New Year!
Vicki
Friday, September 26, 2008
They Just Didn't Know Any Better
I have often said that I am thankful for the fact that I attended Chrsitian schools, and that's true. I attended various christian schools from grade 1 to grade 12. My only experience with public school was in Kindergarten. And I AM thankful for that.
I am thankful for it because it gave me knowledge of the Bible that I would not have gotten from a public school. I was also taught subjects like science, history, and even math from a perspective that included God. That would not have happened in a public school. I also had less exposure to drugs, alcohol, and the like than I would likely have had in a public school. The christian school from wich I graduated was not free of those things, but they were less common there than in ps.
Still, my husband and I chose NOT to send our children to christian school. Furthermore, my own parents tell me now that if they had it to do over again, they would have chosen to homeschool me and my sisters. But, as my Mom says, they "just didn't know any better." My parents never heard of homeschooling and did not realize that there was such a thing until after I had graduated from high school.
In all honesty, I could not financially afford to put my kids in a christian school even if I wanted to. But the fact is that even if money were no object, I still wouldn't do it.
WHY?
Because the label "Christian" doesn't mean that every student, or even every teacher in that school is necessarily going to behave like a christian.
Don't get me wrong. I know that no one is perfect, and that everyone makes mistakes, including christians. But, my dh and I chose to keep our kids out of the school environment because .....
I was repeatedly made fun of by another student for being overweight. . .in a CHRISTIAN school.
I witnessed one girl being teased, hurt, and made fun of ALL through Junior High and High School. . .in a CHRISTIAN school.
I was repeatedly belittled, insulted, and once flat out accused of lying by a TEACHER. . .in a CHRISTIAN school.
I went to the principal about this teacher, and was told that *I* should change my behavior so that the teacher would no longer have cause to speak to me as she did . . .by the PRINCIPAL, in a CHRITIAN school.
My parents wrote a letter to the principal regarding the situation with the teacher, and it was completely ignored. . . in a CHRISTIAN school.
Sadly, it wasn't just me. I saw it happen to friends too. I had friends who violated school policies (sometimes unintentionally) but even after sincere apologies, were not extended any grace or mercy, and others who were disciplined IN school for behavior that took place OUTSIDE school. . . in a CHRISTIAN school.
I'm afraid those reading this blog post are going to assume that I"m bitter. I can assure you, I"m not. I truly AM thankful for the education I received, for the good teachers I had ( and I did have SOME good ones!) and for the friends I made in school. But I thank God every day for introducing me and my husband to a homeschooling family, and for leading us to make the choice to homeschool our own children.
To any one considering educational choices for thier own children, I urge you to learn all you can, consider carefully, and pray about your decision. Don't just assume that because a school has the word CHRISTIAN in it's name that it's the best place for your children to spend the majority of their waking hours.
I know beyond any shadow of doubt that my parents made the best choice available to them at the time for my education. But now, my Dad is a pastor and a homeschooling advocate, and my Mom is homeschooling my nephew. They both will tell you now that they wish they had done the same for me. They just didn't know any better.
Blessings,
Vicki
I am thankful for it because it gave me knowledge of the Bible that I would not have gotten from a public school. I was also taught subjects like science, history, and even math from a perspective that included God. That would not have happened in a public school. I also had less exposure to drugs, alcohol, and the like than I would likely have had in a public school. The christian school from wich I graduated was not free of those things, but they were less common there than in ps.
Still, my husband and I chose NOT to send our children to christian school. Furthermore, my own parents tell me now that if they had it to do over again, they would have chosen to homeschool me and my sisters. But, as my Mom says, they "just didn't know any better." My parents never heard of homeschooling and did not realize that there was such a thing until after I had graduated from high school.
In all honesty, I could not financially afford to put my kids in a christian school even if I wanted to. But the fact is that even if money were no object, I still wouldn't do it.
WHY?
Because the label "Christian" doesn't mean that every student, or even every teacher in that school is necessarily going to behave like a christian.
Don't get me wrong. I know that no one is perfect, and that everyone makes mistakes, including christians. But, my dh and I chose to keep our kids out of the school environment because .....
I was repeatedly made fun of by another student for being overweight. . .in a CHRISTIAN school.
I witnessed one girl being teased, hurt, and made fun of ALL through Junior High and High School. . .in a CHRISTIAN school.
I was repeatedly belittled, insulted, and once flat out accused of lying by a TEACHER. . .in a CHRISTIAN school.
I went to the principal about this teacher, and was told that *I* should change my behavior so that the teacher would no longer have cause to speak to me as she did . . .by the PRINCIPAL, in a CHRITIAN school.
My parents wrote a letter to the principal regarding the situation with the teacher, and it was completely ignored. . . in a CHRISTIAN school.
Sadly, it wasn't just me. I saw it happen to friends too. I had friends who violated school policies (sometimes unintentionally) but even after sincere apologies, were not extended any grace or mercy, and others who were disciplined IN school for behavior that took place OUTSIDE school. . . in a CHRISTIAN school.
I'm afraid those reading this blog post are going to assume that I"m bitter. I can assure you, I"m not. I truly AM thankful for the education I received, for the good teachers I had ( and I did have SOME good ones!) and for the friends I made in school. But I thank God every day for introducing me and my husband to a homeschooling family, and for leading us to make the choice to homeschool our own children.
To any one considering educational choices for thier own children, I urge you to learn all you can, consider carefully, and pray about your decision. Don't just assume that because a school has the word CHRISTIAN in it's name that it's the best place for your children to spend the majority of their waking hours.
I know beyond any shadow of doubt that my parents made the best choice available to them at the time for my education. But now, my Dad is a pastor and a homeschooling advocate, and my Mom is homeschooling my nephew. They both will tell you now that they wish they had done the same for me. They just didn't know any better.
Blessings,
Vicki
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sometimes, That Still, Small Voice Is Really Loud!!
I am having a tough week. This weekend, my husband in being sent out of town to work on a special project for his full time job. That means he's going to miss a day on his part time job. So, he's working EXTRA hours at his pt job this week, to cover the housrs that he'll miss there on Friday. On top of that, we found out that we will have to pay the travel expenses up front, and be re-imbursed by the company later. It's nice that we'll be re-imbursed, but that meant we had to do some "budget juggling" to come up with the cash dh will need for the trip. UGH!
And, the cherry on top of all of this is that dh has a new supervisor on his full time job. Dh currently works 6am to 2pm. The new manager is considering the possibility of changing their hours to 3am to 11am, or 5am to 1pm!! Ugh, Ugh, and UGH!!! But, that isn't definite yet, so we're praying the new guy will leave the 6am to 2pm thing alone.
I am not able to drive, so dh being gone more than usual this week, and the fact that he will be gone all weekend means I've been doing a lot of schedule juggling, and jumping through hoops to arrange transportation to places we needed to go. So, I've been a little tense. Not TERRIBLY so, but a little more tense than I would normally be. Yesterday morning, I was absolutely ready to hang my 6yo son from the ceiling fan by his toes!!!
He not only balked at EVERYTHING I asked him to do, but he was CONSTANTLY underfoot in the kitchen asking if he could help with the cooking that I was trying to get done. I let him pour and stir a couple of things, then tried to "shoo him off" again. It didn't work. Finally, in frustration, I said to my son "How come you're so eager to "help" me in the kitchen, but you won't do the things that I actually ASK you to do?!" He gave me his silly grin and mumbled something about helping in the kitchen being more fun, but I barely heard him, because as soon as my question left my mouth, I could hear the still, small voice of the Lord in my ear. But this time, it was more like a shout, saying, Yes, that's a GOOD question!! Why DO you want to help in the ways YOU want to help, but you balk at doing what I ASK you to do?"
Whoa. How right on is that? How often do I find myself thinking"Oh, sure, I don't mind going to church to worship the Lord, and I don't mind tithing, and I'll even sing in church, but Lord, I am so tired, and I sure wish it wasn't my trun to teach in Children's Church today!" Or, "Lord, I don't mind tithing, but I sure wish you'd give me liberty to work outside my home so we could have more money. Other people do it, Lord, why can't I?"
I am, put simply, a spiritual whiner. I WANT to serve the Lord, and I WANT to be faithful, and I WANT to bring glory to God, but the truth is, I want to do it the way *I* want to do it, not neccesarily the way God ASKS me to serve Him.
I expect my children to help me by doing ALL that I ask of them, not just the things they WANT to do. God expects NOTHING LESS of me. Wow. That still, small voice really shouted this time. I need to take stock and be sure that I'm doing all that He asks of me, and not just picking and choosing how I serve Him. I want to OBEY, not just pick and choose how I will serve the Lord.
In Him,
Vicki
And, the cherry on top of all of this is that dh has a new supervisor on his full time job. Dh currently works 6am to 2pm. The new manager is considering the possibility of changing their hours to 3am to 11am, or 5am to 1pm!! Ugh, Ugh, and UGH!!! But, that isn't definite yet, so we're praying the new guy will leave the 6am to 2pm thing alone.
I am not able to drive, so dh being gone more than usual this week, and the fact that he will be gone all weekend means I've been doing a lot of schedule juggling, and jumping through hoops to arrange transportation to places we needed to go. So, I've been a little tense. Not TERRIBLY so, but a little more tense than I would normally be. Yesterday morning, I was absolutely ready to hang my 6yo son from the ceiling fan by his toes!!!
He not only balked at EVERYTHING I asked him to do, but he was CONSTANTLY underfoot in the kitchen asking if he could help with the cooking that I was trying to get done. I let him pour and stir a couple of things, then tried to "shoo him off" again. It didn't work. Finally, in frustration, I said to my son "How come you're so eager to "help" me in the kitchen, but you won't do the things that I actually ASK you to do?!" He gave me his silly grin and mumbled something about helping in the kitchen being more fun, but I barely heard him, because as soon as my question left my mouth, I could hear the still, small voice of the Lord in my ear. But this time, it was more like a shout, saying, Yes, that's a GOOD question!! Why DO you want to help in the ways YOU want to help, but you balk at doing what I ASK you to do?"
Whoa. How right on is that? How often do I find myself thinking"Oh, sure, I don't mind going to church to worship the Lord, and I don't mind tithing, and I'll even sing in church, but Lord, I am so tired, and I sure wish it wasn't my trun to teach in Children's Church today!" Or, "Lord, I don't mind tithing, but I sure wish you'd give me liberty to work outside my home so we could have more money. Other people do it, Lord, why can't I?"
I am, put simply, a spiritual whiner. I WANT to serve the Lord, and I WANT to be faithful, and I WANT to bring glory to God, but the truth is, I want to do it the way *I* want to do it, not neccesarily the way God ASKS me to serve Him.
I expect my children to help me by doing ALL that I ask of them, not just the things they WANT to do. God expects NOTHING LESS of me. Wow. That still, small voice really shouted this time. I need to take stock and be sure that I'm doing all that He asks of me, and not just picking and choosing how I serve Him. I want to OBEY, not just pick and choose how I will serve the Lord.
In Him,
Vicki
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