Will you follow Him?

“Remember the words I spoke to you. I said, ‘A servant is not more important than his master.’ If people hated me and tried to hurt me, they will do the same to you."  John 15:20

Will you FOLLOW Him?

It is not the day when the wolf will live with the lamb, yet

*Photo Credit

I was over at Simple Homeschool reading a post by Sarah about homeschool critics and our responses.  It was quite interesting, and I don't necessarily disagree with most of what she wrote.  I shared a comment about my struggle with this issue as a single parent and a link to my declaration of why I have chosen to homeschool.

When you make a declaration this clear and concise you should expect a comment like this: 

"I understand your choice works for *YOU and YOURS*. By what you type, it seems as if you are saying that no Bible-believing Christian should send their child to public school. While our children may face temptation there, don't you also think they can be a light to others? I think Christian children in our public school system can be a powerful witness. My own husband brought others to Christ with his public high school interactions with others. I'm just asking, don't be so quick to dismiss other educational choices for Christians."  Mara

I'm overjoyed to share my reply in a thoughtful, gracious manner, and with the right seasoning.

I clearly state in my declaration ~ "In public schools my son is compelled to interact with "strange children" who do not have the same biblical priorities that he does.  Without meaning to do so, these other children expose him to wickedness that he is not equipped to handle."

My son is still in elementary school grade and completely unable to handle situations where he would need to defend his spiritual beliefs with other students, or teachers who would have authority over him.  There may come a time (in high school) where this won't be an issue, but for now I take comfort that my little lamb is protected from the wolves.

*Photo credit

I do believe that "Bible-believing Christians" do their children a disfavor by sending them off to play and learn with the carnivorous wolves who are being taught by parents and society to devour their very kind.  Sure a wolf pup is just as cute as a lamb, but that doesn't mean I want them getting too comfortable with each others company.  In this world one is a predator and the other prey.  The reality is we don't live in the Garden of Eden. 

Evil is prevalent, and we have no business asking our children go to battle at such a young age.  Compromises are being made in textbooks, in the descriptions of a God-intended family unit, and what some would call necessary tolerance.  There may be many "Bible-believing Christians" with children in public school, but Bible-living Christians are becoming the minority.

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 John 2:16-17  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.

I have no tolerance for public school textbooks slanted towards evolution and natural selection as truth and not theory.  I have no tolerance for a system that believes the Ten Commandments does not apply in today's "politically correct" society.  I will not support an entity that tries to undermine parental rights in any way.

There are those rare and unique children whose lights are beacons.  My son's light, and maybe your child's, might not be strong enough to overcome what the world would throw at them.  Do you really want their light snuffed out because you were hoping they could be a witness to the world?  Sorry, but I'm just not willing to take that chance.

Psalms 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

I've been given an awesome responsibility raising my son.  I will teach him to fear the Lord by example.  I will trust in God to guide me.  For we all stand alone on the day of judgement.

Ohio Supreme Court Hears Case of Science Teacher Fired for Questioning Evolution

# 17 ~ Sometimes, you just have to say NO!

It's not easy.  You've probably spent your entire life giving of yourself to others, but there comes a time when you must say enough is enough.  The first few times you say "NO" there's an uncomfortable queasiness that builds in the pit of your stomach.  For a moment you'll waiver, almost give in, but stand firm and strong in your decision.

It's all right to tell your former spouse, children, boss, family, or friends "NO".  There will be no dark cloud of doom befall you.  The sun will rise again, and this is a perfect opportunity for you to practice and learn to turn off those emotions driving you to do too much, give too much, and take whatever others are willing to dish out.

If you're going through a bitter divorce and custody battle, let your divorce lawyers handle the ugly messiness.  That is their job, and they understand your stress and frustrations.  They are more than capable of dealing with all the issues.  You need to take care of your children, getting them and yourself through this new life adjustment.

Due to increased responsibilities as a single parent you may have friends and family who miss the carefree days you once enjoyed for talking and socializing.  Maybe at one time your bosses' request for overtime was manageable, but now you have to draw a line.  Even your children will test your resilience as the main disciplinarian.  You have no choice but to set boundaries everyone will have to live with.

Here's a suggestion every single mom has trouble with - take some time for yourself with NO interruptions.  On a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, schedule some alone time.  This is not a time for Bible study, although prayer should be allowed, you are never bereft of the Lord.  Grab a notebook and pen to write down thoughts, but don't use this time for planning.  Fill your mind and notebook with positive, uplifting thoughts, release pent-up emotions, and cry out to your Father.  Let this be a building up of your defenses and self-esteem.

Allow yourself to be pampered from time to time, eat right, exercise, get your hair done, and dress up once in a while.  Most of all, just say NO!

I AM broken, but on the mend

Do you ever feel like what you want to share is already being written by another?  Have you noticed others are writing about topics you've already written about?  We are unique, our experiences are our own, so why does this happen?

We are made in His image!

It doesn't matter who we are, what our heritage, we are ALL made in His image.  From our blood cells to our skin and hair color, from our heart and emotions to our spirit and soul, He created and breathed life into each one of us.  His hands molded the clay.  He is the potter, the creator.  He is the Alpha and Omega.  Pretty awesome when you think about it like that.

Those are my thoughts after logging on to Blogger and seeing the many drafts I've started and stopped due to the abundance of information already being shared by you all.  So what am I going to do about it?

To be completely honest I just don't know right now.  January was a very difficult month for me.  This whole year of Transformation is still a question mark glaring in my face.  The year began with so much hope, but has drastically turned into questioning my confidence.  Of course having the flu, trying to discipline a rebellious tween, and dealing with sisters who want to become saviors in the 24th hour can dampen anyone's enthusiasm.

Yes, I'm broken right now, today, in this moment, but God is mending and blessing me as He always has.  I'm taking some time from sharing here to spend more time over at NOBH, to visit all of you and comment on your brilliant posts, and to see what God has in store for me.

Am I worried that you will stop following me here?  Not really.  God knows my heart.  I cannot do the transforming, only He can do that.  Oh, I do have some reviews I've promised and am really late in sharing, sorry.  But other than that, you'll be hearing from me at your blog.  See ya there!

  

 

#16 ~ It's not always about you

I can't tell you how much I dislike tackling discipline problems.  A single parent is always the "meany", and it can be emotionally grueling.  I've read countless books on the subject of discipline and how to handle it as a single parent, but it doesn't get any easier, especially when your dealing with a tween who's stretching those rebellious-independent-muscles.  I've seen many single parents give up and give in.

BUT, it's not about you!  Our children will go out into this big world and they'll need the proper tools to be productive adults.  They need to honor the Lord and you for the life they've been given.  They will need to respect authority, have self-control, and be disciplined in their actions, words, and deeds.  If we don't enforce rules and boundaries they won't have any idea..

• why they can't hold down a job
• why they aren't given promotions
• why they can't get ahead
• why they aren't respected by their spouse
• why their friends won't stick with them
• why they aren't living the good life
• why God isn't answering their prayers
• why they are having to endure hardships and trials

"Teach them His decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave."  Exodus 18:2

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."  Proverbs 22:6