Another trip to the ER?

Dh has come home hurting very badly and saying that we might be headed back to the emergency room. I did not sleep very well last night and was supposed to give a devotion at our Keepers at Home club tonight. I have found a replacement and emailed my devotion to her to deliver to the group. My children have still not gotten over the upset of the last few months, and I am trying hard to get things back to a normal schedule for them. It makes me sad to think that we might be getting ready to go through a bunch of upheaval when we haven't really recovered from the last go-around :-(

Are we fools?

Jeremiah 4:22: "My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding."

How do we know when we are fools? Proverbs 1:7 says that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." What does it mean to fear the Lord? I think that it means to have a reverence for him that results in our joyful submission to His will and commands. Fools hate knowledge and correction. They can also be complacent (Proverbs 1:32--"For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them."). A fool trusts only in himself (Proverbs 28:26--"He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.) and does not consult God (Jeremiah 2:8--"The priests did not ask, 'Where is the Lord?' Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols.").

How many times do we consult a book, or the Internet or a friend when we are in trouble or need to make an important decision? While all of these things can be helpful, the first place we should go is to the Lord. It is my goal to model this to my children. Rather than panic when things get tough, they need to see me on my knees crying out to God for His deliverance. It brings joy to my heart to hear even my little "Miney" praying to God when things are tough. I, as a mother, must set the example.

Keepers at Home

"Eenie" is a member of a Keepers at Home group. Normally, we are very active in the group and work on numerous badges throughout the year, but this year life has interfered and we have had to learn flexibility. In the grand scheme of things, badges simply aren't that important. However, having almost reached the end of the Keepers year, we are trying to choose a few things that we can work on in the time that we have left. Last night, I showed "Eenie" a few basic embroidery stitches and she has been working diligently on this new skill. We are going to try to complete a simply embroidery project over the next week or so. Being a Keepers Mommy has been challenging for me, to say the least, because I have not learned many of these skills, myself. I hope to send my daughters in to their own homes better prepared than I was. They (and their families) will be happier and more peaceful for this knowledge :-)

Returning to the Surgeon

My dh is having health problems again and will be returning to his surgeon on Monday at 2:45pm. We are praying that this is something that will either get better in time or else can be treated medically. If another surgery is necessary, it is possible he could lose his job :-( Personally, I am having a hard time with this uncertainty. It would be very hard for me to try and get a new job right now, both because I am pregnant and because I am so sick (and usually hospitalized over and over again) when I am pregnant. I am trying so hard to get the house back in order and get the children reaccustomed to discipline and routine, which is something that doesn't happen very well when dh is home. Please pray for my dh's health and that I would respond with patience, love, grace and wisdom. Also, pray for my dc. They are still fairly young to have so many ups and downs to deal with, and at least the younger two don't see God's hand in this like we older ones do.

Jewels

Zechariah 9:16-17a: "The Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How attractive and beautiful they will be!"

We are all created in the image of God, and thus, we all have the potential to become sparkling jewels. When "Miney" runs in from the backyard covered in dirt and mud, tracking it through the house on her way to "go potty", it is sometimes easy to forget this (off topic, but sometimes, I have considered putting the baby potty in the backyard to prevent this problem in the future--lol). I don't know yet whether my children will be diamonds or rubies or amethysts or some other type of precious jewel. It is part of my job to cut and scrape and polish until the jewel in each of them is finally sparkling, just as the Lord continues cutting and polishing me.

Many years ago, in college, I worked in jewelry sales. In studying jewelry close up, it is amazing how many jewels have flaws or impurities within them (emeralds are particularly bad about this). When shopping for jewelry, we now have a choice of "lab created" jewels, which have fewer impurities, or we can buy natural jewels.

As Christians, we must remember that we were sent into the world (but should not be of the world). Contact with the world means that there is a greater chance for impurities or flaws to develop in our jewels. However, we cannot forget that Christ's last command to us was to go "unto the world" and preach the Gospel to them. We can, of course, raise our children as "lab created" jewels, but they will miss the opportunity to develop as the natural and genuine jewels God intended for them to be.

As parents we must, of course, use discretion with our little jewels. There is no sense in allowing them to be contaminated or damaged needlessly. But, when they are ready, and have opportunity, it is good for them to reach out to lost and try to discover the hidden jewel within them.

One day, we will all stand before God, shining and precious as the jewels He created us to be. I have such a joy in my heart when I envision presenting my little jewels, loaned to me by the Lord in order for me to shape and direct them. The blood of Jesus will cover our flaws and impurities, and before God we will appear perfect and flawless. Blessed be the Name of Jesus!

"Whom are you seeking?"

John 18:4: Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?"

I have found myself in a constant battle over the last few months and I am tired. Sometimes, I can see clearly the fight that is before me, and sometimes the battle seems endless and to no purpose. Too many times, I find myself ready to lay down and quit, or have the wrong response, or run away from the battle. I will never be called upon to suffer for mankind the way that Jesus was asked to suffer. He knew that He would suffer, yet he went forward. I too have asked the Lord to take this cup from me, yet He in His infinite wisdom, has chosen to leave things as they are. It is much easier for me to have the wrong responses when I am sick and dehydrated from being pregnant. Yet, I must remain in the battle, going forward, making what progress I can, responding as the Lord asks me to, until the Lord declares that the battle is over.

Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat

This is a wonderful book that I have only recently discovered. Since beginning the Ambleside curriculum with my children a few years ago, I have been pleasantly surprised at finding many enjoyable books that I have never read (and I have always considered myself a great reader!). Unfortunately, with few exceptions, many of the books written today are written in twaddly language geared towards the TV, movie and video game generation of children :-( This is very sad, because I feel that my life and the lives of my children have been greatly enriched by exposure to good-quality literature. Literature is a good vehicle for instilling character in the lives of children and adults in ways that inspire. If you have never read this book, I would encourage you to do so or listen to it for free at www.librivox.org. Blessings!