Life is often far from easy, or simple. Sometimes CHOOSING SIMPLICITY is actually very complicated. I want my life to line up with God's will and that requires the often painful denying of my flesh. My flesh has been RAGING lately. Selfish desires have been rearing their ugly heads in all sorts of ways. Choosing to honor God with my life has required extra determination and an extra dose of God's grace!!
The past few weeks we have been facing some BIG issues, some affecting the entire family and others individually. I have really appreciated your prayers.
One of the big stresses we have been dealing with is with our daughter's struggles in school. Her frustrations with school have spilled into every aspect of our life. Being a 10 year old girl is hard... anyone with a middle school age daughter understands. After MUCH, much, much prayer we have chosen to Home School. We started this week and the PEACE in our home is incredible!!! I want what is best for my daughter, but I had to be willing to sacrifice on my part.... I wish I could say that I didn't struggle with selfishness in making this decision, but I can't. I struggled 'giving up' things to make home schooling possible. God gave me grace and has filled me with joy in this choice!!
Life is a constant ebb and flow. Not getting too attached to a certain way is important... God likes to get us out of our comfort zone because getting out of our comfort zone draws us to HIM! When life is EASY and smooth I am often guilty of relying on my own strength rather than holding on tight to the hand of my Savior. Turbulent times force me to get my eyes OFF of ME and on to the face of my Lord!!
CHOOSING SIMPLICITY means sometimes making HARD choices that go against the desires of the flesh. My flesh does not like being denied, but life with a spoiled brat (my flesh) is really no fun at all! Life really is so much more simple when FOLLOWING the ways of the Word and living a life of obedience!! I would greatly appreciate your continued prayers!
Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather
Praying for you~ that's a big change in your lives (relationships, schedules, finances, etc.)
ReplyDeleteWe have done both public and homeschool, its all alot of work. Boy, I dislike that dieing to flesh stuff! The Lord bless your dedication!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing something wonderful! I am now in my sixth year of homeschooling my daughter. She's in the seventh grade now. Yes, it requires sacrifice, but the blessings abound. You will be rewarded, and so will your daughter. Hang in there through the tough times, because the effort is truly worth it. I have never regretted my decision. May God bless your work.
ReplyDeleteso so true. praise God. just think of all the ways He has prepared you for this moment....over the past weeks, months and even years.B
ReplyDeleteSounds like it could be an exciting adventure.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you decided to homeschool! I'm not going to try and tell you it will be easy - because it won't. You may be having a "honeymoon" period now, but you may then end up with a really hard period. But push through that hard period and everything will even out. Denying those things of the flesh is soooo hard. I struggle with that in various areas, also. Just remember where your strength comes from (Philippians 4:13)!
ReplyDeleteI can't remember how I came across your blog, but I have checked in every now and then over the past year or so. At various times, I remember thinking that you would have a good opportunity to homeschool with your lifestyle the way that it is. It is something I said I would never do. Well, we are now into our second year of homeschooling our boys (4th and 7th grd.). Never say "never" I guess! It just works out so well with our family and the boys can spend more time helping on the farm. They hated missing out on that when they went to traditional school. I was scared the 1st year of doing it. It really is much easier than I thought though. There are so many great curriculums that walk you right through it. Plus, as you get more comfortable with it, you can adapt things as to what works best with your family. I'm so much more relaxed about it this year. It's kind of like cooking for your family!
ReplyDelete