Have you ever found yourself in the process of starting something new? It may be a new job, a new baby, a new school year, a new volunteer role or some other new undertaking. What feelings are you experiencing? You may be dealing with self doubt, fear, excitement, anticipation and more!
That’s where I’m at right now in my life. There are three pretty big changes coming up for me. First, I’m starting to homeschool my kids in a couple of weeks. Second, I’m taking on a co-coordinator position for our church’s Wednesday night 4th and 5th grade girls group. Third, I’m starting the process of putting together a devotional book and getting it published.
If you’re in the process of starting a new adventure like me, then you can relate to the rollercoaster of emotions I experience. One day I’m bursting with hope and anticipation. The next day when my kids are fighting and I can’t find any homeschool curriculum, I’m filled with fear and doubt.
During these times of apprehension, I need to cling to the promises of God’s Word. He’s led me to these changes in my life, so I need to believe that He will bring me through them for His glory. I was reading Joshua 1:1-9, where God is speaking to Joshua after he takes over Moses’ job. Joshua had big shoes to fill and I’m guessing he felt a little inadequate. God had some powerful words for Joshua and these same words apply to us in new situations we face.
“Be strong and courageous.” (v. 6)
“Be strong and very courageous.” (v. 7)
“This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (v. 9)
If God is calling you to enter a new chapter in your life, remember these verses and claim them. If you are following His will for your life, rest assured that He promises to be with you every step of the way.
Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9
Prayer: Dear Lord, I feel a little like Joshua right now. I am feeling ______________ about _______________ (situation). I know You were with Joshua after Moses died, and I am claiming the same words You spoke to Joshua for my own life. Today I am trusting in Your promise that You will be with me wherever I go. I will choose to be strong and courageous.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Cool Car Conversation Continued
The last blog entry ended with my son asking me how God spoke to me about home schooling. I had paused to clear my head so that I could explain my answer in the best way possible. I know what you’re thinking and you’re right – I was also buying time!
During my silence, I thought back to the situations that led us to choose homeschooling. I truly believe that God ordained each one.
“Well,” I began slowly, “First God opened our hearts to homeschooling through Shalyn’s interest in it. I really never thought we’d home school you, too.”
“Next God put people in our lives who really made us think about the benefits of home school. Sometimes God uses other people who are following Christ to lead us in the right direction,“ I said. “God also used His Word to show me the importance of passing His laws from generation to generation. Every time I read the phrase ‘generation to generation’ in the Bible, I felt God telling me that He wanted me to be the one to teach you and Shalyn. That phrase kept popping up in my devotions and I couldn’t ignore the fact that God was speaking to me.”
“God also spoke to me through prayer. While dad and I were contemplating whether or not to home school you, we both prayed a lot. I brought up some of my specific doubts to God. After each doubt I expressed to God, I strongly felt Him telling me to have faith in our decision to home school,” I said.
“What is that like?” he asked.
“Well, you know how your conscience tells you not to do something bad or to do something that’s good? It’s kind of like that when the Holy Spirit talks to you. He prompts you sometimes quietly and sometimes loudly! When I brought many different doubts about home schooling you before Him, He quietly said to my heart, ‘I’ve already told you what to do, now do it and trust Me.’” I said.
Again there was silence, but it was okay. This silence was a “thinking” silence. A “processing” silence. I would like to think it was also an “accepting” silence, but I don’t know if Caleb’s ready to let God change his heart about home schooling quite yet. God’s timing is not my timing. For now He provided me with the opportunity for a cool conversation with Caleb.
Scripture: Exodus 31:16; Exodus 35:20-22 (willing hearts); Exodus 40:12-15
Prayer: Lord, in Your Word You say You want willing hearts. May our hearts be open to whatever You have planned for us. We love You and want to serve You. Please show us how to pass Your Word from generation to generation.
During my silence, I thought back to the situations that led us to choose homeschooling. I truly believe that God ordained each one.
“Well,” I began slowly, “First God opened our hearts to homeschooling through Shalyn’s interest in it. I really never thought we’d home school you, too.”
“Next God put people in our lives who really made us think about the benefits of home school. Sometimes God uses other people who are following Christ to lead us in the right direction,“ I said. “God also used His Word to show me the importance of passing His laws from generation to generation. Every time I read the phrase ‘generation to generation’ in the Bible, I felt God telling me that He wanted me to be the one to teach you and Shalyn. That phrase kept popping up in my devotions and I couldn’t ignore the fact that God was speaking to me.”
“God also spoke to me through prayer. While dad and I were contemplating whether or not to home school you, we both prayed a lot. I brought up some of my specific doubts to God. After each doubt I expressed to God, I strongly felt Him telling me to have faith in our decision to home school,” I said.
“What is that like?” he asked.
“Well, you know how your conscience tells you not to do something bad or to do something that’s good? It’s kind of like that when the Holy Spirit talks to you. He prompts you sometimes quietly and sometimes loudly! When I brought many different doubts about home schooling you before Him, He quietly said to my heart, ‘I’ve already told you what to do, now do it and trust Me.’” I said.
Again there was silence, but it was okay. This silence was a “thinking” silence. A “processing” silence. I would like to think it was also an “accepting” silence, but I don’t know if Caleb’s ready to let God change his heart about home schooling quite yet. God’s timing is not my timing. For now He provided me with the opportunity for a cool conversation with Caleb.
Scripture: Exodus 31:16; Exodus 35:20-22 (willing hearts); Exodus 40:12-15
Prayer: Lord, in Your Word You say You want willing hearts. May our hearts be open to whatever You have planned for us. We love You and want to serve You. Please show us how to pass Your Word from generation to generation.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Cool Car Conversation
Sometimes car trips provide a great opportunity for unexpected in-depth conversations. In the confined space of a car, there's a unique feeling of safety that makes people feel comfortable to talk. This was the case for my son, Caleb, and me yesterday.
As we traveled the two hours home from our cabin, he and I had a rare opportunity to talk without interruption. For half of the drive I listened to him talk about subjects that interest him. After listening and asking him questions about topics ranging from football to pencil toppers, I broached the subject of homeschooling.
Just as I expected, the car suddenly became quiet. You see, Caleb does not want to be home schooled. He says he will miss his friends and that he loves everything about public school – even the bus ride! He was extremely disappointed when my husband and I first broke the news to him.
After a few moments of silence passed, he asked me again why he “has” to home school.
Again, silence flooded the vehicle. Should I give him the patented, “Because your dad and I say so” answer, or should I lay it on the line for him?
Since he was stuck with me for another hour, I decided to lay it on the line.
I told him that his dad and I never really had the intention of home schooling. God has worked in our lives this year to bring us to this decision. When his sister, Shalyn, got sick last winter, she continually asked to be home schooled. I admitted to Caleb that I never thought seriously about home schooling until that point. But as my husband and I started praying about it, God opened both of our hearts to the idea.
At first, we thought we would only home school Shalyn, but soon it became obvious that we were supposed to home school Caleb as well. We knew this decision would not go over well with him, but we decided that since God had definitely led us to home school, we needed to make this unpopular decision as his parents.
I decided to press the issue further, since he was stuck with me and all! I told Caleb that it would be disobedient to God if we didn’t home school him. I told him that God had told both his dad and me that this was the right decision for our family. He then asked me a great question. He asked, “How do you know when God is talking to you, because I’ve never actually heard Him?”
Silence again. Now that is a loaded question if I’ve ever heard one! I wanted to respond to him, not by patronizing him or giving him trite answers. I wanted to truly tell him how God speaks to us. I decided that with God’s help I would lay it on the line again! The final part of our conversation will be posted soon!
Scripture: Exodus 27:20-21; Exodus 30:17-21 (*Note the phrase “generation to generation” used in both passages.)
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for Your perfect timing. You work on our hearts and soften them to be ready to do exactly what You ask of us. We want to be ready and willing and open to the plans You have for our lives. Please help us to trust You and to take a step of faith, even when we can’t see the path ahead.
As we traveled the two hours home from our cabin, he and I had a rare opportunity to talk without interruption. For half of the drive I listened to him talk about subjects that interest him. After listening and asking him questions about topics ranging from football to pencil toppers, I broached the subject of homeschooling.
Just as I expected, the car suddenly became quiet. You see, Caleb does not want to be home schooled. He says he will miss his friends and that he loves everything about public school – even the bus ride! He was extremely disappointed when my husband and I first broke the news to him.
After a few moments of silence passed, he asked me again why he “has” to home school.
Again, silence flooded the vehicle. Should I give him the patented, “Because your dad and I say so” answer, or should I lay it on the line for him?
Since he was stuck with me for another hour, I decided to lay it on the line.
I told him that his dad and I never really had the intention of home schooling. God has worked in our lives this year to bring us to this decision. When his sister, Shalyn, got sick last winter, she continually asked to be home schooled. I admitted to Caleb that I never thought seriously about home schooling until that point. But as my husband and I started praying about it, God opened both of our hearts to the idea.
At first, we thought we would only home school Shalyn, but soon it became obvious that we were supposed to home school Caleb as well. We knew this decision would not go over well with him, but we decided that since God had definitely led us to home school, we needed to make this unpopular decision as his parents.
I decided to press the issue further, since he was stuck with me and all! I told Caleb that it would be disobedient to God if we didn’t home school him. I told him that God had told both his dad and me that this was the right decision for our family. He then asked me a great question. He asked, “How do you know when God is talking to you, because I’ve never actually heard Him?”
Silence again. Now that is a loaded question if I’ve ever heard one! I wanted to respond to him, not by patronizing him or giving him trite answers. I wanted to truly tell him how God speaks to us. I decided that with God’s help I would lay it on the line again! The final part of our conversation will be posted soon!
Scripture: Exodus 27:20-21; Exodus 30:17-21 (*Note the phrase “generation to generation” used in both passages.)
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for Your perfect timing. You work on our hearts and soften them to be ready to do exactly what You ask of us. We want to be ready and willing and open to the plans You have for our lives. Please help us to trust You and to take a step of faith, even when we can’t see the path ahead.
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