Cravings

I've mocked the children of Israel, oh, yes, I have!  They get delivered from Egypt, have the Red Sea parted for them no less.  Food falls from the sky.  Water comes from a rock.  And they complain!  They craved the "leeks and garlic of Egypt."  Seriously, people.  You'd rather have a buffet than freedom?

You should never mock others.  Unless you like eating crow...which would probably taste better if cooked with a few leeks and a little garlic.

Things have gotten a little better in the homeschooling department since my last post, but it's still been uphill.

A friend was going to come visit, but she fell asleep and had a lovely, long, well-deserved nap.  Another has been getting amazing, creative things done while her kids are at school.   I spend my days trying to explain fractions and percentages to less-than-thrilled munchkins.

I find myself craving...if not leeks and garlics, quiet.  Craving easier.

Every wild obedience is bound to encounter some long, wearying, faith-demanding stretches.

The pitfalls in those stretches are much like they were 3,500 years ago.  The biggest danger is in falling prey to a lie...

~  That somewhere along the line we've been abandoned.  He promises that He will never fail or abandon us.

~  That He won't provide all we need to sustain us.  He promises to create rivers in the dry wasteland.

~  That we should never have started on this journey in the first place.  He who has called us promises to take us by the hand and guard us.  He promises to provide wisdom along the way.

~  That the Promised Land He's called us to is unattainable, that the giants along the way are unbeatable.    He promises strength and courage for those who place their confidence in Him.  He promises that they and their children will possess their full share of that land. 

When I remember the truth of who He is and what He's promised I'm not afraid any more.  I'm inspired to press on.  I don't want any other path.

There's strength in remembering what He has done--the seas He's parted and the manna He's provided.  He will do all that He's promised.

Craving an awareness of His glorious presence along the way.

Numbers 11:4-6
Deuteronomy 31:8
Isaiah 43:20b
Isaiah 42:6
Proverbs 4:11
Joshua 1; Numbers 14:24

Safe!

"Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you.."


My friend laughed as I began reading this verse, "At least no one's trying to kill me!"

Really?

Sure, no person is chasing me down with a weapon, but I'm pretty sure discouragement is trying to choke the life out of me, the sense of being overwhelmed is suffocating...slowing down the Life-giving flow of oxygen.  Inadequacy.  Anxiety.  Weariness.  It can be so many things--you know what it is for you--and, yes, it's an enemy that wants to "kill" you, to shut down the flow of Life in you and through you.  Especially, if you've said yes to an adventure of any kind in wild obedience.

Before you discount yourself from being on an adventure of wild obedience, may I remind you that such adventures are seldom the kind found on front pages of newspapers?  Rather the truly great ones go unseen... A mother wiping up the umpteenth mess with a song of thanksgiving.  A man faithfully going to work to provide for his family.  A moment taken from a busy day to write a line of encouragement.  A smile and word of kindness for a weary cashier.  Any act that is not self-centered is an act of obedience to the call to love like He loves.  Some are definitely more costly than others, but all reflect a greater glory.

It's good to stop and recognize this.  This attack on my life flow is because I'm doing something amazing!  You are a force to be reckoned with, therefore, worthy of being distracted, distressed, and disturbed.

"Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you.....your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in his treasure pouch!"*

Chased.  Yet safe.

A contract out on your life.  But secure.

A treasure.  Safe in the care of the Lord.

You.

Doesn't it make you feel wild and free to laugh in the face of the destroyer?  That laughter clears the sense of oppression and Life flows, filling with strength.  I'm safe in His treasure pouch!



*1 Samuel 25:29a
This promise was spoken to David, but all who believe and receive Jesus have access to all the promises.   See Romans 11.

One Month Report Card

One month of homeschooling under our belt and I think we should celebrate!  (Should I finish that sentence with, "...but I'm too tired!"?)

Monday this week was definitely the low point.  I guess the honeymoon stage had worn off...and it was Monday morning after a big weekend.  Thank God, a friend called at just the right time and I admitted that we were having a bad, sad day!  She was so kind and didn't offer annoying advice or platitudes, but simply asked if she could pray right then, over the phone.  It changed everything!  Things definitely improved after that.  I love that He cares and sent someone to display that love at just the right time.

The high point was when the Principal came and taught Math:

And my little warrior tackled his math as a little warrior should--fully armed and ready for battle:

As I evaluate everything, I'm in awe of the good fruit that I can already see from this venture.  It is producing in my kids all I had hoped for and more than I'd dreamed of and I'm having more fun than I'd thought I would!

I read a verse this morning that kind of sums up how I feel about it.  King David had asked God if he should go and fight the Philistines and God told him that he should.  Sure enough, the Philistines are defeated and David exclaims, "God did it!  He used me to burst through my enemies like a raging flood!"  I love how David asks for direction, God guides, David obeys, and God comes through for him.  David's response is awe-filled worship!

Keep seeking and obeying--He'll come through for you!  I believe it gives Him great joy.

*1 Chronicles 14:11

The Beginning

We're going to homeschool two-thirds of our children.

For some of you that's explanation enough for the title of this blog. Me too.

You see, I love my kids AND my solitude. I love teaching my kids AND teaching the adults I work with. I love the school my kids have attended.

For me this is a step of wild obedience. To some that may sound like a wild overstatement. It's not.

Sometimes the obedience required of us is huge but happens quietly and goes unnoticed except by the angels. Some obedience is public and risks censure.

The reaction to this news has been quite varied: incredulous, angry, curious, skeptical, respectful, laughing, defensive, wondering...all from people I care about and whom I truly believe care about me.

Those who have walked closest to my heart through my parenting journey have responded very quietly, often with tears, but always along the lines of, "Wow." To know us well is to know that we wouldn't make this decision lightly. It is to know that we recognize the cost, but trust the One who is calling.

My nutshell philosophy on choosing a method of education is this: Our children are all unique. The plan for their lives is unique. Only God knows their future and specifically what is required to prepare them for that future. As parents, our job is to seek His leading (He wants to lead us!) and obey. Whatever choice we make, it feels like a risk and requires trust. I'm so thankful to live in a country where that freedom is recognized and supported by our government.

We do not believe that God says everyone should be homeschooled. We are not homeschooling because we want to keep our children "safe from the world". We're simply being wildly obedient.

If you choose to follow this blog, I hope you'll be encouraged--whether in your own homeschooling journey or in some other wild obedience. Hopefully, we'll laugh and cry together. And pray for each other. As one very dear elderly man said, "I'll pray for you. As you teach the children, God will be teaching you." I couldn't ask for a better blessing.