St. Patrick’s Day: GREEN means GO!

March 8, 2010 by Ann

All throughout the month of March, St. Patrick’s Day decorations can remind you and your family to pray for Christian missions and to highlight the need for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

St. Patrick’s Day GREEN can remind us that we’re all called to GO and preach the Gospel!

Enjoying Missions Throughout the Year: MARCH

For many people, St. Patrick’s Day is nothing more than a holiday to commemorate the traditions of Ireland. People wear “Irish” green; stores decorate with shamrocks, leprechauns, and rainbows; and restaurants feature meals of corned beef, cabbage and potatoes, or green-colored mint milkshakes.

To others, March 17th is a day to gratify the flesh: to guzzle beer or to glorify sinful lifestyles through disgraceful city-wide parades and demonstrations. How far (and low) we have come from the real story of St. Patrick and his early missionary sacrifices to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the people of Ireland. Today, more than ever, our world desperately needs the Lord, and the message of the God’s salvation that St. Patrick preached.

Do your kids know that St. Patrick was a missionary?

All throughout the month of March, we should remember the real missionary story of St. Patrick. Whenever we see GREEN decorations (in stores, restaurants, etc.), we can use these as sporadic “reminders” to teach our children that we’re all called to GO and to share God’s GOOD NEWS.

Quick Facts:

St. Patrick’s Day – MARCH 17th
Patrick was the first Christian missionary to Ireland.
In the United States, celebrations include city parades, Irish cultural celebrations, and the wearing of green.

Who was Saint Patrick?

“Saint” Patrick (389 – 461 AD) actually went to Ireland twice – first as a slave, and later as a missionary. Born in Britain, Patrick is widely known as the first Christian missionary to the Irish people. During his youth (from 16 to 22 years old), he was captured and taken to Ireland. While there, young Patrick repented of his sinful, backslidden condition. Years later, after escaping to his homeland, he received a vision from God calling him to return to the Irish people to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Patrick obeyed God’s call and went back.

For the remainder of his life, Patrick ministered among the unreached tribes of Ireland– confronting Irish idolatry and sorcery, converting many to Jesus Christ, and baptizing thousands of people. Tradition says he used the three-leaf Irish clover to teach the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

According to historian William Federer, who wrote St. Patrick: The Real History of His Life, From Tragedy to Triumph, “He was actually a missionary and he converted 120,000 druids from paganism to Christianity.” Federer claims that in the fifth century A.D., Patrick did more than perhaps anyone in history to spread Christianity in Europe. Although druids attempted to kill him over a dozen times, Patrick continued to preach the message of Jesus Christ, and throughout his ministry he pioneered over 300 Christian churches. Patrick also spoke out against slavery and because of this, some call him the world’s first abolitionist.

Mission-Minded Family Resources:

To learn more about St. Patrick, I recommend Hero Tales – Volume III by Dave & Neta Jackson (Bethany House Publishers). Along with the short biography summary, St. Patrick: Missionary to Ireland, the Jacksons include three devotional stories (each with a focus “From God’s Word” and “Let’s Talk About It” discussion questions) to read aloud:

“Your Ship is Ready” — Trust
The Fire on the Hill — Boldness
Blood on the White Robes — Righteous Anger

Focus on the Family has a surprisingly accurate Adventures in Odyssey that features St. Patrick’s Day. Also, VeggieTales has a funny “flannel graph” version of the St. Patrick story, which is surprisingly historically accurate, on the VeggieTales DVD, Sumo of the Opera.

Family Prayer Focus:

Pray for God’s peace throughout Ireland and Europe, especially between Protestants and Catholics. Pray for the true message of God’s salvation to spread throughout this area, and for today’s missionaries who are sharing the Gospel. Remember people in the United States who are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and for people who need Jesus to hear about the real story of St. Patrick, and the Gospel message he preached. Pray also for your family to have an obedient heart to go wherever God would call you to go.

This article is adapted from “Enjoying Missions Throughout the Year” from Ann’s new book, The Mission-Minded Family – Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny. Ann is an international minister alongside her husband, Jon Dunagan (with Harvest Ministry) and a homeschooling mother of seven kids (ages 9 to 23). During the month of March, Ann and her 12-year-old homeschooled daughter, Caela, are on mission trip to help orphans in UGANDA, EAST AFRICA. You can follow Caela’s LIVE mission updates on Ann’s twitter updates, watching for posts marked #CaelaOnMission.

Ann Dunagan is a longtime homeschool mother of 7 (with 3 graduates). Since 1987, she and her husband Jon have ministered worldwide with Harvest Ministry. Ann is co-founder of two African orphanages, writer for “Better Parents, Better Families” on the Christian Post and “The Missional Mind” with Biblica, and author of several books including The Mission-Minded Family.

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Tags: Adventures in Odyssey, Ann Dunagan, family prayer, Harvest Ministry, Hero Tales, Ireland, Missions, St. Patrick, Sumo of the Opera, The Mission-Minded Family, VeggieTales

Thankfulness Project

March 4, 2010 by Sheri

1 Comment

After a very rough year I vented on my blog and I received a few comments telling me I had it good.

Truly, I knew I had it good, I just wanted a few minutes to let it out and instead I was bombarded with well-meaning comments letting me know exactly how off base I was.

Yikes! And a good morning to you too!

I was extremely upset by the comments and edited the post 1,2,3…4 times before I gave up on it. I tried to answer the comments and explain that it was a momentary lapse in judgment, a quick little blip on the “thankful” screen and even that I was just human, I was just talking, letting it out, like a teapot who has to whistle or boil over.

No answer I gave was “the right one” and as is typical for me I continued to try to explain, tumbling over my words, digging myself deeper and deeper.

Finally I deleted the whole thing and wrote something like this:

I know that every cloud has a silver lining. I usually have no problem seeing the silver linings, but today my eyes got tired of looking up and instead I looked down. It was my fault. I looked away.

I decided the only way to fix the problem was to take the blame. Blame myself in a “how dare I’ moment. But then I reread what I wrote. I read the final sentence. “I looked away” and that spoke to me. No matter how tiring it is looking up it is something we must do:

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. -I Chronicles 16:11

So I began to think about it and although the words hurt I knew I had to be more thankful. This confused me. I WAS thankful. But I realized I wasn’t vocal about it and I needed to be:

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. -Ephesians 5:19-20

In response to this I did the best thing I could. I began “The Thankfulness Project” to date this is a small group of bloggers who post what they are thankful for daily in the sidebars of their blog. As you play along you become more and more thankful and notice the small things. I have yet to be thankful for the rough year, but I am certainly thankful that the Lord helped me through it. I hope you’ll join me in my year of thankfulness.

Sheri (with the help of her fabulous husband Mike) began homeschooling her four children in 2001. She spends her time creating whatever she can out of nothing to make her house more homey, creating lesson plans, and listening to her son’s garage band and writing how God is carrying her out of the depths of depression. You can catch up with Sheri at her blog, be sure to check out the on-going Love Story she and her husband are writing while you are there!

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Tags: A Lesson in Thankfulness, Being Thankful, Chronicles, Ephesians, Scripture, The Thankfullness Project

Preparations

January 27, 2010 by Misty

She Didn’t Do it Alone

January 22, 2010 by Aubrey Lively

3 Comments

Lately I’ve been thinking about the Virtuous Woman. People tend to focus on her super-human abilities and her saintly blessedness. I have a talent, though, for seeing the mundane despite the sublime. I know that staying up late to finish a sewing project, for example, doesn’t necessarily feel virtuous. Sometimes it feels a little devious, like if there were anyone awake to tell you to go to bed, then you might be doing the virtuous thing.

In the past, I’ve used this passage in Proverbs as a kind of checklist, not unlike the man who approached Jesus, claiming to have followed the Law his whole life. “What more do I lack?” the man asked, and most preachers argue that he was looking for a pat on the back, someone to say, “Wow. You ARE righteous!” Of course, we know that’s not what he got.

As I’ve worked my way down the list of talents a virtuous woman is supposed to have claim to, I haven’t gotten that pat on the back, either. If anything, the more you can do, the more people give you to do! What I’ve noticed, though, is that there is a longing within for a sense of…completion, perhaps. A sense of having arrived at the place of responsible adulthood.

That feeling is elusive. Whatever I learn to sew or bake or do, there is always so much more evidence of having fallen short. I will never be a good Queen of the Laundry. (And what’s wrong with me that I’d even want that title?) Although my cooking repertoire has expanded beyond ground beef and chicken tenderloins and I have learned to deal with wheat and dairy allergies and even make recipes up as I stand over the stove and sniff, I will simply never be Queen of Great Cooking. (I’m just glad to live two streets over from her!)

Maybe it’s the chaos of the holidays that seems to highlight all of my domestic disabilities. Maybe it’s the increased contact with family and the feeling of being looked at with so many eyes. Maybe it’s just the constant nagging knowledge that perfection is still so far out of reach.

But as I was praying my daily, “Oh, Lord, help me!” prayer the other morning, He showed me something about this Virtuous Woman that I’d only joked about before: she had staff. Not just a maid, but an army of maids. Of course I’ve laughingly told my husband that that’s the tool I lack in my arsenal of virtuous qualities.

But the Lord phrased it a little differently. He pointed out that she did not do it alone. This phrase has haunted me for a week or more. I’ve thought about the bread that was almost ruined Thanksgiving by a sweet one-year-old who thought it would be fun to unplug the bread maker. Not ten minutes later, my neighbor, Queen of Great Cooking, called and told me she’d made way too much of her Altogether Yummy Bread.

There’s a trend lately toward independence: baking our own bread, growing our own food, learning to do everything ourselves. The reasons are noble: to save money, to save the environment, to save our health. For the first time in a long time, though, I’ve had a chance to step back and realize that it’s ok to need help. Whether it be bread from a friend, frozen food instead of scratch, or appliances, gizmos, and maids, these things and people are not signs of weakness or failure. They might even be hints of glory, signs of blessedness shining through the life of a woman whose virtue keeps her family well-clothed, well-fed, well-loved.

Aubrey Lively is a homeschooling mother of four, ages 8, 6, 2, & 1. She has a BA in Literature and an MEd in Teaching and is currently surviving seminary with her husband of ten years. Visit Aubrey online at http://aubreylively.blogspot.com.

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Tags: Domestic Disabilities, Domesticity, Encouragement for Mothers, Encouragement for Wives, Jesus, Needing Help, Proverbs, Relying on Others, Virtuous Woman

Metamorphosis

January 19, 2010 by Sheri

3 Comments

What is metamorphosis?

Most all of us learned that extremely long word in or around the 4th grade, long before it could roll off our tongues easily and certainly before we could understand the complexity of what it is that we call metamorphosis.

In fact, it is my belief, no not my belief, I am assured that the understanding of metamorphosis comes from something much deeper than reading books and studying the life cycle from egg/larva/pupa/adult. It comes from more than finding a beautiful chrysalis on your bricks and ooohing and awing over the lovely shade of green and the golden gilded edges. Metamorphosis is much more fascinating than watching a beautiful, wet butterfly emerge from a cocoon. It’s more amazing than watching that butterfly slowly spread its wings and allowing them to dry and harden before finally stepping off the leaf and into the air, trusting that he won’t fall but will instead… SOAR!

No, there is so much more to metamorphosis than what we are taught in school. There is so much more than watching the evolution from egg to butterfly. What exactly am I talking about? I am talking about the evolution of a person. I am talking about watching a person grow, I am talking about holding your breath as the person struggle free of the protective chrysalis, and I am talking about waiting in wonderment at what will emerge.

I am talking about true metamorphosis. The refiner’s fire.

1 Peter 1:7 These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Stage 1 THE EGG: In scientific terms an egg is laid on a leaf, it is in a hard shell with a small hole in it which allows oxygen and water to enter. Depending on the season the egg can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 years to hatch. In my terms: An egg is a thought, a prospect, a bible verse that is laid on someone’s heart. An egg is a seed that is planted, generally without knowledge. Depending on the circumstances that egg can take anywhere from 1 day to 80 years to hatch. Sadly, sometimes they don’t hatch. While waiting the egg simply waits, a promise, hoping to be revealed.

Matthew 13:3-9 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.”

Stage 2 THE LARVA: Once hatched the larva will eat the shell of the egg and its contents, heading on to the leaves of the plant that it was hatched on. During this stage they primarily eat and grow and prepare for Stage 3. Caterpillars are typically in this stage for 14 to 30 days. In reality Stage 2 is an exciting stage for a Christian. We devour all of God’s word we can, we are excited, and we can’t imagine life without Him. We are putting down roots with the knowledge that we are growing. We are sheltered.

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Stage 3 THE PUPA: Caterpillars begin to spin silk and slowly cocoon themselves into a chrysalis. This is where the metamorphosis begins. This is when everything happens. It can take 2 weeks or a few months. Soon the caterpillar will be unrecognizable as these changes take place. I often wonder if the changes hurt or if they are accepted as part of the metamorphosis.

In life we grow. We being to spin silk and see the beauty in what we are doing. We might become a bit complacent. We might believe that no one else can spin silk like us. We trawl around and around and suddenly find ourselves enclosed. We push out against that hard protective shell of silk we have spun. We cry. We fight. We kick. We scream. No one seems to be answering us. We hear a voice, if we choose to listen it says:

Psalm 46:10a Be still and know that I am God.

Eventually we stop fighting and we sit back, fear and trepidation filling our hearts. We are angry that we spun ourselves into this cocoon. We feel crowded and we feel like we are stuck. We fail to note the protection the cocoon is offering us because we are in pain, changes are taking place. We don’t see joy beyond the fear, we try to cut through the silks, we try to see the sunlight, but we are held tightly, the cocoon won’t give. God knows it’s too soon and although we are confused as to why we must remain cramped in that place, He knows.

Stage 4 THE ADULT: One day the chrysalis becomes transparent. Those watching can see the beautiful butterfly bunched up inside. The butterfly slowly emerges from its cocoon; cramped, deformed, crumpled wings trail behind it. Then it spreads its wings, slowly inflating them with blood. The young adult sits in the sun allowing the blood to harden and to give it strength.

I Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

We sit in the cramped state, rocking back and forth. We are tired. One morning we open our eyes expecting the usual darkness that we have become accustomed to. But instead we are greeted by a hazy filtered light. We are still covered by the protective shell, but it is transparent. The light gives us strength. We give one last push against the skin of the chrysalis and we break free. We are tired and weak as we pull ourselves out of our cramped position. We stretch. We reach above us, behind us, stretch again. We stand tall. We turn. And we realize we are no longer in pain. That pain allowed us to grow. And now we can fly.

Isaiah 40:29-30 He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will talk and not become weary.

This will be my year to fly! What will you do this year?

Sheri (with the help of her fabulous husband Mike) began homeschooling her four children in 2001. She spends her time creating whatever she can out of nothing to make her house more homey, creating lesson plans, and listening to her son’s garage band and writing how God is carrying her out of the depths of depression. You can catch up with Sheri at her blog, be sure to check out the on-going Love Story she and her husband are writing while you are there!

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Tags: growing spiritually, life cycle of a butterfly, metamorphosis, personal growth, trusting God, Trusting God's Plan

How to Give All Year

January 3, 2010 by Julie

6 Comments

Each year, I notice the amount of time spent on frenzied shopping, baked goodies, Christmas card lists, parties, the perfect gift for an acquaintance or co-worker, special meals with friends and family and oh so much more. With each year that passes, the kids get older, we have more friends spread throughout the world, we draw ever closer to retiring from the military and there are two things that remain constant. One is our love for the Lord, the other is that things in life will always change.

But with all this energy and time expended, I sit back and wonder how much time is spent remembering “the reason for the season”, which brings to mind another question, how much time do I spend throughout the year on these types of things? Should I only be in a spirit of giving this one time a year?

I have made more of an effort over the last five or six years to be in a spirit of giving and put God first the whole year through.

Whenever I share this with other people, their first comments are, “Isn’t that expensive?” and “That’s terrific!”. I want to share with you that I have found it’s the simplest things that really show you care and most cost little to no money, but do require time and thoughtfulness. The time and thoughtfulness are a way for us to let Christ’s light shine through us and put God first. After all, the Bible tells us to edify and uplift one another and what better way to do that than to show appreciation and love?

Here are some things you can do to show your thanks or love. They are combined events from my own personal experiences as well as those of friends and family. Some we have blessed others with, some we have been greatly blessed by others.

Put your skills to work!

1) While I was a child care provider, a divorced military Mom needed someone to care for her two boys while she was in the field for two weeks to train a group of soldiers preparing to deploy to Iraq. This was during the holiday season and there was much she would miss during this time. I took pictures of everything we did, paid $7.00 to have them developed and then utilized scrapbooking materials I already had on hand and created a beautiful memory book (with the boys’ help). She was very touched by the gesture and now takes that scrapbook with her each time she has to be away from them.

2) If organizing comes naturally, help out a friend or family member that expresses their frustration to you! Although it may seem insignificant, offering your time can make a world of difference, whether they take you up on the offer or not.

3) A friend of mine, who also home-schools, offered Math tutoring to a neighbor’s daughter, for free! Her efforts greatly impacted the young girl in more ways than one and even had positive affect on the girl’s family. Goodness knows, there are plenty of subjects out there to offer expertise to someone who needs it.

4) A family in need? Plant a seed! There are small things you can do to make things easier. If they have an illness in the family, offer to prepare a meal. Some friends of ours were in a car accident a few years ago and all of them had injuries, except their then 10 year old daughter. I called people in our community and asked each person if they would be willing to cook a meal and on which day and deliver it to the family. It was so successful that we were able to provide this family supper for 2 weeks!

5) My Mom, ever creative and talented, drew a portrait of a family member and gave it as a gift!

Want something super simple? Try these suggestions out!

1) Many years ago, my Mom made what she called a “Warm Fuzzy Jar”. The jar could be an empty peanut can that you recover or you can get a cheap plastic or glass jar from a dollar store, it’s up to you! She made small little cards with smiley faces on the front and inside were written some of the coolest memories! Some were sad, some hilarious and others just reminding me of how special I am to her. I love that jar and still go back through the memories from time to time.

2) Little notes in lunch boxes, brief cases, on a computer screen, in a coat pocket, etc. A note saying I love you or God made you special or any of a hundred other things you could think of.

3) A hand written card or letter, any time of year! You can always make your own card and make it custom designed for the person you’re sending it to! A phone call to say hi, you’re on my mind and wanted to tell you and hope your day is great! An email or networking site post to let someone know you’re thinking of them.

4) A hug or a smile. Taking time to play a board game or read a story. Just looking someone in the eye and saying, “You are so important to me! I’m so glad you’re in my life”.

5) Make your own coupon booklet to give a friend or relative. You can include “coupons” in there that you know that person will really appreciate! Things like, “Good for one home made sweet potato pie”, “Good for one afternoon of board games with Mom and Dad”, “Good for a morning of coffee and chit chat”. You can include the specifics on each coupon too, such as, “Redeemed at a time convenient to all, please ask in advance”.

So, there you have it! Each year I strive to be better than the year before and come up with something even more special and creative for the individual I’m appreciating. So, as 2010 approaches, please remember to stay in a spirit of giving and Shine On!

Julie is a happily married Navy spouse of 16 years, and a homeschooling Mom. She served in the Navy prior to having their children, a daughter – age 15 and a son – age 7. Not only does she have the joy of homeschooling their children and learning from them as she teaches, but she is attending college for her long sought after degree. In her spare time (what’s that? Giggle, giggle) she enjoys fishing, camping, scrapbooking, card making, crafts, reading and oh so much more! The question most often asked of her is, “Do you blog?!” The answer (at this time) is no. She does, however, enjoy contributing to various discussion boards and posting notes on others’ blogs.

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Tags: christian living, Family Gift Giving, Gift Giving Projects, giving, Projects, projects for kids, putting God first

Looking Ahead with Hope

January 1, 2010 by HeatherL

1 Comment

Hello my friends and welcome to a new year! Do you look forward to this year with delight and a vision in your heart? Are you excited? This year many of us are not so excited about the new year. Whether you are facing unemployment, sickness, rough finances, or any number of life aggravating issues, I understand the feelings of sadness and uncertainty.

When my husband was still a college student we had little money and many medical bills. We had a lovely little girl, but we were mourning the loss of our second daughter. It was a sad Christmas. Christmas rolled into the new year and frankly I wanted to pull the covers back up over my head and ignore everything.

How did I get back from that low? How can you look ahead to this year with hope?

Start with Christ!

Psalm 46:1,2a God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear,

Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

How can we take this scripture and use it in our lives?

Saying stop fearing or worrying is easy but the doing is hard.

Let us start with some simple tips.

Memorize the scriptures from above or other scripture that help you rely on the Lord for your strength and refuge.
Write down that you are giving this year to the the Lord. By writing it down you are making a commitment and making a record you can return to, to draw strength from.
Talk to your husband about your fears. Sharing a burden will lighten the load.

You can turn this uncertain year into a stellar life changing year! Think of all the good things simply changing your outlook can affect. Your children who watch everything you do will notice your “can do” happier attitude and respond. By following God’s Word you will be rewarded with a closer relationship with the Lord and a deeper understanding of your Christian walk.

Back to me under the covers wishing the world would go away. I didn’t know it but I was suffering from depression. I got so bad that I wondered if anyone would notice if I just disappeared. I never wanted to harm myself. I just wanted to disappear until things somehow got better. Are you that low?

Please if you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or your loved ones, have continual thoughts of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness or if you are sleeping all the time or you cannot sleep, these are signs of depression. Please go see your doctor or pastor. You need to talk to someone to help you get back out of that sad and lonely place.

This year is uncertain but not lost. We can choose to make it a better year. Leaning on God for our strength, wisdom, and protection we will make 2010 a wonderful year! What are some of your ideas on making this year wonderful?

Heather Laurie and her husband, Christopher, have been married for 13 wonderful years, and have been blessed with 7 children, two of whom are awaiting them in Heaven. They began their homeschooling journey eight years ago, amidst trials and unexpected journeys, including genetic disorders, austism, sensory disorders, and lupus. Heather and her husband created the ministry Special Needs Homeschooling as a way to use their trials for the Lord’s glory and to encourage special needs parents and homeschoolers.

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Tags: depression, Encouragement, God's Provision, Guilt, Helplessness, hope, New Years, Scripture

Do you know?

December 25, 2009 by Tammy

Real Life, Real Trust

December 21, 2009 by LauraL

6 Comments

To be honest with you I’ve struggled with my article this month. Not because I don’t want to write it, but because I feel like I should be writing something uplifting and encouraging. When in reality I’m struggling myself and I want to be “real.”

I hope that in my being “real” someone else will not feel alone.

With that being said, here are the natural circumstances of my life currently. I am a single homeschooling mom of 3 daughters. Both my parents are deceased and during the holidays I miss my mother something awful. Although I have done daycare out of my home for almost 8 years now to support us, I currently have no families and no income. I have found myself in the hospital having surgery 6 times over the past year and it doesn’t look like the problem is fixed yet. That means there might be additional future surgeries. I am weary. I am tired.

Now, that being said….I serve an amazing God who has been right by my side every step of the way. It is HE alone who gives me strength each and every day. I was telling my daughter the other day that I can see so clearly those areas in my life that I have let the Lord take control of. Those areas that I recognize I absolutely can not do on my own. Those areas I trust Him in completely. For instance I know nothing about house repairs. If I were married, that would be my husband’s responsibility. And so as long as I don’t have an earthly husband, HE is my husband and so I’ve left that to Him. He has faithfully over the years sent me “Handyman Angels” to help. Different husbands, fathers, or friends will ask me if I need anything done around the house. God has been very faithful to send them, so I always keep a running list available so that I’m prepared when they ask.

This holiday season He has provided for us as well. I find myself once again at the receiving end of His goodness and grace. Since coming home from the hospital in October and still having no income, the outpouring of blessings has been quite overwhelming at times. We have received groceries from friends and family time and time again. We have received Walmart gift cards and gas cards multiple times. We have received anonymous gifts in the mail. I have more than one friend who thinks of us/buys for us each time they grocery shop. We’ve been adopted by a family for Christmas, my children will have gifts to open! We’ve won drawings for Thanksgiving dinners and been blessed by our church as well. The list goes on and on. We have so much to be thankful for! I think one of the things that has so amazed me during this time is how God has provided everything in such a thorough way. I mean that none of these different people knows what the other is doing. Each one gives something different to us. There is not a lot of extra or waste. One friend admitted that they didn’t think what they were able to give was worth much, wouldn’t make a difference, and was tempted not to do it at all. And I was able to show her that none of the other gifts…..gave us what she did. It was a HUGE blessing to my family!!

It’s made me think of all the times the Lord has laid it on my heart to send a card, write a note, cook a meal, make a phone call, babysit, buy something seemingly little and not done it. And not done it because deep down….I didn’t think it would make a difference. Now I know….If God is telling you to do something…..it makes a difference! Don’t delay!!

So then how is it that I can be surrounded by such generosity and still be tired and weary??? Is it because I am worrying about the future? How will “I” provide for my children? How will “I” pay my mortgage? Instead of trusting Him to be our Provider. Trust. Do I really trust Him? Do I really believe that He will keep a roof over our heads and food on the table forever? Do I really believe that He can and will use this trying time to grow strength and character into my girls? That what the enemy meant to destroy us, God will use to strengthen us? I have a choice to make. We all do. Whose report will we believe? The temporary, always changing circumstances that we may find ourselves in? Or the promises of God’s word which are eternal and never changing! I choose God’s ways as they are higher than my own. I choose to trust Him! What about you?

Laura is in her 7th year as a single homeschool mom to 3 beautiful daughters. Currently they are in the 7th, 6th, and 3rd grades. She enjoys growing and learning along with her children in this journey of life and discipleship at home. She hopes to bring encouragement and hope to women who find themselves in difficult situations. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.pillarsinherfathershouse.blogspot.com.

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Tags: Encouragement, faith, reality, reality check, trusting God

An Extravagant Life

December 16, 2009 by Misty

3 Comments

Last week I was online, chatting with my sister-in-law about menus and grocery shopping. At some point during our conversation she said, “We know how to be frugal around here.”

“Right! That’s great!” I said at the time.

But later, thinking back on our conversation, it left a sour taste in my mouth.

Why, you ask? Why was it that while I was willing to high-five her “frugality,” I found myself balking, thinking I wouldn’t want the same term applied to me?

I’ve referred to myself as frugal in the past. Being frugal is supposed to be good. Especially in times like these, when so many are really struggling, and *all* of us find ourselves in need of being more careful with our finances. There are plenty of great women out there helping others save money, encouraging people to be careful with the way they spend it. I belong to a grocery savings information service myself.

I thought about it a lot over the next few days.

Am I “frugal?” Do I want to be? The word “frugal” has a lot of connotations, and I’m sure we might define it differently. But most of us would probably agree that it implies a holding back . . . measuring carefully . . . not quite taking our resources to the limit.

Something about that just rubs me the wrong way.

Here’s the thing . . . I don’t want to be that. I don’t want to measure everything– not my money, not my time, not my efforts or emotions. I don’t want to give grudgingly. I don’t want to slap the kids’ hands when they reach for one more cookie, or cross people off my Christmas list because I’m trying to keep the gift budget low. I don’t want to buy the perfume I don’t like as well because it’s ten bucks cheaper.

I want to live extravagantly. I want to splurge and enjoy and give more than I think I can.

I think God’s like that. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He did pretty well with a few loaves and fish, and He didn’t leave anyone out. When there was a cost to be paid– a debt He didn’t owe– He paid it with His own life.

And anyway, He seems to appreciate extravagance . . .

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

~Matthew 26:6-13

I’m not saying we should be stupid and spend money we don’t have, nor that we should just throw what we do have out into the street. Our money is God’s, and we’re His stewards. We need to walk in wisdom, and we need to please God in the way we use what He gives us. But I think there’s so much fear right now in the world, especially in regards to money, that we’re in danger of courting a different sort of problem– that of becoming miserly in our spirits. Penny-pinching in our budgets starts to spill over into every other area of our lives. The way we deal with money might become the way we do everything. And that might not be good.

I want to live an extravagant life. It’s going to take a while to flesh out exactly what that means. How about you? As you consider the extravagant gift God sent us in His Son, Jesus, what does extravagance look like in your own life?

Misty Krasawski is the overly-blessed mom of eight children whom she homeschools in sunshine-y Florida. She has been clinging ferociously to the hand of her Lord since she was knee-high to a grasshopper, homeschooling for the past thirteen years, and has eighteen more years ahead of her with the children who are glad she will have done most of her experimenting on those who went before. Her wonderful husband Rob has much treasure laid up for him in heaven for having been called to such a daunting task. After the house goes to sleep she can sometimes be found gathering her thoughts at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MistyKrasawski.

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Tags: christian living, Frugal living, frugality, giving, God's Provision, Jesus in Bethany, Miserly Living, Scripture

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