What Christmas is All About

This past Wednesday, one of Ashlyn's school assignments was to write in her journal about what Christmas is all about. This is what she wrote:

Do you know what moves me the most about this? It's the fact that she (without any prompting from me) clearly makes the connection of the cradle to the cross. I mean, she actually drew a manger scene in the corner (you can't see it that well on the scan, but it's there) but the main drawing is that of Jesus hanging on a cross, with the crosses of the thieves and even mourners standing beside.

Please understand that I'm not bragging on Ashlyn as much as I am praising God for working in my child's life to where she is making the connection that Christmas is really about our Savior--our Redeemer.

Every year I wrestle with the worldly view of Christmas--how to handle Santa, presents, and all of the things that have the potential to distract from the true meaning of Christmas. We have never taken drastic measures against those areas (i.e. we still buy gifts and we still leave cookies and milk on the fireplace), but we don't really push it either (well, we might tend to sometimes go a little bit overboard on the gifts). Still, we try to be intentional about teaching Jesus as the true meaning of Christmas and then pray that God will continue to work in their hearts (and ours) about how the Christmas story is really about our redemption from sin.

I think she covered it pretty well, don't you?

My Favorite 5-year Old

Emily turned 5 yesterday!

We celebrated by having a party/sleepover for her little friends, and it was fun! I did spend all day Saturday cleaning while Emily pretty much just laid around in her pj's the whole time (because, as she said, it was a "hard party"). Yeah, she was pretty tired!

Emily is such a sensitive soul. You know, like when she is about to get in trouble, all I really have to do is just give her a look. To raise my voice at her is never necessary, and when I have done that, it tears her up! She is our little drama queen, which can sometimes be really funny, but sometimes drive me crazy!!! She's a very funny child, and has a very silly, imaginative sense of humor. She is so much fun to be around (and really just to watch when she doesn't know you're looking)!

You know, I had a miscarriage two months before I got pregnant with Emily. I was so saddened by that, and I certainly look forward to seeing that child one day. But God can bring good from any situation, and I believe that Emily is the good that came from that. I can't imagine my life, or our family, without her! She is truly a light, and is a very insightful, loving child.

Happy Birthday sweet Emily!!

When Doubts Arise...

I remember back a few years ago when we first decided to homeschool. Ashlyn was in preschool and we went back and forth on what to do for her upcoming kindergarten year. I remember Jason and I spending lots of time talking, thinking and praying about how we should approach our children's education. We then decided that we felt led in the area of homeschooling.

It's been a great journey so far! However, it's also been a journey laden with questions, doubt, and trial and error. Sometimes I find myself asking such questions as "Am I ruining my children?" or "Do my kids have too much of me?" I sometimes grow fearful that I am holding them back or that I am depriving them of things that they need. There are days when I feel overwhelmed, trying to meets the needs of my very needy small children, while at the same time trying to make sure Ashlyn is getting in all the learning she needs too. It is during these times that I seem to forget the benefits of homeschooling and all the reasons we chose to do it in the first place.

But even though I know that those thoughts are from the enemy, I still have them, and it seems like sometimes it can be a battle. Jason and I both are secure in our decision to educate our kids at home, and when doubts arise, there is usually only one thing that helps me overcome them. Well, maybe two things.

One is the encouragement I get from other moms who are in the same boat as me. I am so appreciative of people at church or at co-op who encourage me and let me know that they've been (or they are) where I am. That kind of support is invaluable to me!!!

The other thing (and probably the greatest thing) is prayer, and claiming the promises that God gives pertaining to wisdom. I pray all the time that God would turn the hearts of my children toward Him, and that He would work in their lives even when I mess up. I pray all the time for wisdom, whether it be for disciplinary issues or simply how to manage it all. Proverbs 8:17 says of wisdom, "I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me." I have to believe that! And then in James, God promises that "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." Sometimes those are the words that get me through the day!

I love being with my kids, and I'm thankful that our family has been led in the direction of homeschooling. I just sometimes wish that I could see the big picture so that I can know for sure that things will turn out right. But, then, I guess if I could do that, I wouldn't need faith, right? My faith is what reminds me that He sees the big picture, and when doubts arise, trusting in His wisdom to lead me is the one thing that I can count on for certain.

Pretty in Pink

I wanted to get a picture of Jacob wearing this pink snowsuit that belonged to Ashlyn (and then Emily). He was so embarrassed that he wouldn't even look at the camera!! He even asked me afterward, "Mommy, please don't take any more pictures!"

Unfortunately, I didn't get to get a picture of the lavender snow boots he wore (he tried to refuse, but I told him he couldn't play in the snow if he didn't wear them--hey, they fit him and no one was going to see him!!)

Oh, the price of having older sisters!! :)

The True Beauty of Kindness

First of all, to those of you who have said a prayer for our family during this week of illness...thank you!! We are gradually getting better, although Emily and Jason are still feeling quite icky. Hopefully we will all be well soon!!

Second of all, I would like to mention that while I still have a great desire to keep up with this blog, I have been struggling with the issue of time. However, I hope that you will keep checking, because I plan to keep writing! And in that same vein, I want to thank so many of you for your comments...I love to hear your thoughts and comments!!

I want to continue on with thoughts on the Fruit of the Spirit. I was thinking about kindness and goodness this morning. Kindness is a beautiful thing, isn't it? But as I was thinking about that, I also wondered if sometimes kindness is not always exactly what it seems.

I'm not trying to be cynical--motive is what I'm talking about. If I'm truly honest with myself, can I really say that all of my acts of kindness to others are solely for their benefit? Are there some things that I do, albeit good things, which are done simply to make me feel better about myself or to make me look good in front of others? When I reach out to those in need, is it always because I truly care for them, or is it sometimes out of obligation?

You may wonder why this matters, since good is being done no matter what. Certainly this is true, and the outward benefit to the recipient usually remains the same. What is different, however, is the inward (and eternal) benefit to us. Consider 1 Corinthians 3:12-15:

Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

God sees beyond our outward deeds, doesn't He? He sees the intentions of our hearts. According to this Scripture, our deeds will be tested by fire, and those which are done for eternal good and for the building up of His kingdom will stand. All else will be burned up. I personally believe that this goes for our motives as well, for even when we do good, God would rather it stem from a heart that desires to please Him, not to uplift ourselves.

The Christmas season always presents many opportunities to exhibit kindness and to share goodness with others. This year, evaluate your motives for what you do regarding kindness. Is it self-serving? Or is it out of a genuine concern for those whom you serve? I want my good deeds to count for something not only on earth, but for eternity as well. God will surely multiply the effects of those deeds which are done for His glory alone!

This Day

It's quiet now. It's 10:37 pm and I can only hear the soothing bubbling of the aquarium, and every now and then the heat pump when it kicks on.

It's been a bit of a rough day, today. Two, possibly three, possibly four of my kids have the flu. My husband has the flu. I might have the flu. I feel okay, but I'm not counting myself out yet.

I'm not writing this to invoke sympathy. I'm just writing because I finally have a moment to sit down and write, and this is what's going on right now!

I want to thank Jesus for helping us through this day!

Got Patience?

Wow.

I'm really having difficulty finding the time to keep up with this thing.

Maybe it's part poor time management and part just sooooo much to do!!! Maybe I'll get it all figured out one day...but I doubt it!

Still, life is grand, ain't it? I mean, seriously, on the night that I was going to write about "patience", I totally lost it with the kids!!! Jason was gone for the weekend, and we'd had a pretty "good" day (especially when you consider that we all went grocery shopping in a very busy Wal-Mart...which is a hateful experience even when I'm by myself).

So, that night, the kids were being hyper-maniacs. I was trying to get them settled for bed, when BAM!!! I heard a bedroom door slam. That usually is enough, all by itself, to get me fired up, because I have this thing about people slamming doors. Anyway, what made it worse this time is that just as it was being slammed, I happened to look that way just in time to see Jacob barely getting his hand out of way.

I lost it.

I think I scared the kids to death, because they had nowhere to go. Daddy wasn't home. Mimi and Poppy were gone. It was just Mommy and her blaring vocal chords, spewing accusations and threats.

I didn't hit them, or cause them physical harm in any way, but it was the type of rant that made me want to go to my room and cry when I was finished. I'm pretty sure I did.

I also apologized to the kids later, and of course they were, as kids always are, very forgiving.

I'm so thankful that God's forbearance is much greater than mine. He is so patient with me. I mess up over and over again. I play hostess to spiritual pride, self-pity and bitterness. I am prone to wander away from what I know is the truth. I am at times ungrateful and selfish. I am worthy of nothing that I have.

Still, He is patient with me when I complain to Him. He gently reveals to me my misguided behavior and persistently shows me the correction I need.

I really want to be the kind of mother to my kids that my Father is to me!! I'm a work in progress, I know, and I'm glad that He sees me through the blood of His Son.

When I think of the love I have for my kids, even when their behavior is at its worst, I know that I'm just starting to scratch the surface of the love that my Father has for me.

Psalm 103:8-9, 13-14

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness

He will not always strive with us

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

Just as a father has compassion on his children

So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him

For He Himself knows our frame

He is mindful that we are but dust.

Thank You, Lord.

Fruit of the Day--Joy

Joy.

This picture brings me joy.

Being with my family brings me joy.

My friends bring me joy.

My husband brings me joy.

The fact that Jacob has gone three days with no "accidents" brings me joy.

I felt joy when Ashlyn encouraged me to do my morning Bible study again today.

I felt joy when she wanted to sit next to me with her Bible too!

I felt joy when Emily told me she wanted to be a rock star who worships God. :)

But, if all of those things were taken away, would I still have joy? I believe that many times we confuse true joy with mere happiness. So, what is the difference?

Happiness exists when something good happens, or when life is going well. When a person has true joy, it exists even when things are not always good. There is only one place from where true joy comes, and that is from the Giver of all good things: God.

When I realize that He is my true source of joy, I can feel it even when things aren't going all that great. I sometimes have to intentionally plug into that resource, lest I become overwhelmed by the uncertainty of my circumstances, but His abundant flow is available to me at all times. The enemy would like nothing better than to steal away our joy, especially during times when we are vulnerable, like when we are going through a difficult time. But God's Word is full of promises, including several on joy.

Jesus said in John 16:22, "So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." We can believe that when we find our joy in a relationship with Him, our suffering on this earth will one day be turned to everlasting joy.

Real joy is deeper than happiness. Happiness can fade, but true joy will last. And when we walk in the Spirit instead of our flesh, divine joy will be evident in our lives and others will hopefully be drawn to Jesus as a result.

I dare say that everyone experiences happiness to some degree, but only those who know the hope of Christ ever experience true joy.

Thank You Veterans!

In honor of Veteran's Day, the kids sang this song at a senior adult luncheon. I just couldn't resist sharing it!!

The girls were very nervous, but I was proud of them for getting up there! Make sure to notice how Jake NEVER misses the word "up" in the chorus.

To all of the veterans out there...thank you!!!!!!

Hope you enjoy the video...

Fruit of the Day--Love

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;

against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

We have a thing at our house called the Fruit of the Day, and it has nothing to do with apples and bananas.

A couple of years ago I started this with the kids in an attempt to teach them about the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5. It caught on very well, and the kids really enjoy it. For instance, if the fruit of the day is love, then we try to be aware all day of showing love to one another. The next day the fruit of the day would be joy, and we try to think of ways that we can bring joy or feel joy even in difficult circumstances. It's a great way to become aware of what it means to let God's Spirit rule our lives. Over the past few months we have gotten away from doing this every day, but lately it has resurfaced and I have started to be intentional with it again.

So, as I was thinking about it, I thought I might do a few posts on the passage in Galatians 5, starting, of course, with love!

So, what does it mean to love others God's way? If you're like me, then sometimes you choose to conveniently ignore some of the most basic Biblical principles about love. Here's an example: say you have been hurt by someone and have a legitimate right to be angry. It's easy enough for you to just forget about trying to mend the relationship, and you may feel like that's okay because you have been wounded and have a right to hold a grudge. You are the victim, right?

But consider Jesus' words, found in Luke 6:32: "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them." And verse 35, "But love your enemies, and do good...and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men." Loving in God's way means loving even those who have shown no love to us. It means loving, even when there is no return.

Paul wrote in Romans 12:9 to "Let love be without hypocrisy." That means that we must love for the right reasons, not for self-centered reasons. The only way that we can accomplish this is by daily denying ourselves and LOVING the Lord with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength, because when we truly do that, then we relinquish our RIGHTS to His power, and then He enables us to love even those who seem unlovable to us. Make sense?

We also need not forget that Jesus said to not only love Him wholeheartedly, but to love others as we love ourselves. He didn't suggest this as a way to live, He hailed it as the greatest of all commandments. We must love the way He wants us to love, and that includes the ultimate display of love--forgiveness.

I really struggle with this in a couple of areas of my life. It's extremely difficult sometimes to show love in the way God commands. But, if I truly want to live by the Spirit (and not my flesh), I have to learn to give up my "rights" and love Him with my whole being. I trust Him enough to know that when I do that, His love will infiltrate my life and spill over to others as well. It is not easy to let go, is it? But I have found that taking it one choice at a time, and praying for His strength seems to make it much less daunting.

Never forget that when we choose to follow His ways, He promises to hold our hand and give us the strength we need. The next time you are faced with a choice to either harbor a grudge or let go and love, choose the way that He commands. You will find freedom, release, and your life will beautifully exhibit the fruit of living by God's Spirit.