I climbed into bed Sunday night and heard the announcement on the news. It was 10:30 pm, and the President planned to address the nation soon after. I said, "Do you think it's something about Libya?" My husband thought they might have found Osama bin Laden. He often calls the twists in movies long before we get to them, so I was not surprised to learn moments later, he was right.
Tears streamed through thoughts of lives lost, patriots who toiled and sacrificed and fell ill of the effects long after that day, soldiers, families missing loved ones. That sunny morning gone dark, we all watched blue sky erupt a second time on our office television, fire and ash consuming, tall towers collapsing, September 11th, 2001.
I remember that day, Americans running from the towers, jumping from floors too close to sky, later speeches at Ground Zero, the I-can-hear-you-and-the-rest-of-the-world-hears-you.
I remember awkwardly voicing thanks to firefighters, police officers, and military heroes, amazed by their bravery and the glaring beauty in humankind, great lengths scaled in order to rescue, aid, love.
I remember my desire to participate, sending tiny offerings of thanks and love to the troops overseas, praying for incomplete families tangibly torn apart by 9/11. Devastated yet grateful, we all basked in the unity of being an American.
This execution causes that slice of history to surface again.
Just a few nights ago, tears spilled down me, single source of evil fallen, one ambassador of the kingdom of evil perished. Lovers of freedom and justice cried "Victory!".
We learn of the mission, the end result death, and we respond. Our unity promptly dissolves, and we attack those who respond out of different emotion. People hail from ends of the spectrum, from satisfaction and vengeance to preaching love-not-war.
I take it all in and wonder, what am I to think? What I think about this will determine how I feel. I look to the Holy Bible, it's become my primary source. The Bible gives me so many points to consider, it's not a wonder this book never gets old.
The Bible says to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me; why wouldn't this apply to Osama bin Laden, self-proclaimed hater of Christians and Jews? He lived a purpose-driven life, his purpose to wipe out as many believers in Jesus Christ as possible and to influence his own disciples to do the same.
But this last decade, I don't guess I prayed at all for Osama bin Laden to come to Jesus. Did you?
The Bible is also full of murders, wars and wipeouts, beginning with the first brothers, the flood. I hate the wars, hate that this world seems to require them, hate the hating and killing. This life is short--can't we coexist and live these days out beautifully? It seems mankind is incapable of this as a whole, incapable of living without sin and death.
And now I remember why we are incapable of living without sin and death. We were this way from the beginning, and it hurts.
So where should I land on this issue, Osama bin Laden's death? Days later, I continue perplexed. I see no reason to tell anyone else how to respond to it. It seems a bit dishonest, blind even, to harp on people's initial reactions, to try to prove their raw emotions wrong.
We have responsibilities as Christians, but do any of us truly know how to turn the other cheek? I've heard my inner Mama Bear roar a few times, my little loves mistreated. I've thrown too many mature, adult-looking fits when my husband or children failed to consider me. I hardly think I know how to turn the other cheek.
Pray with me?
Lord Jesus, Teach us to Love great-big God-Love. Make us one in spirit and purpose. Grow in us the humility that considers others better than ourselves. Change us to have the selfless, serving attitude of Jesus Christ. Draw us toward You to such a great extent that we don't try to put on these attributes alone. Make them flow out of hearts in love with You. May we know You well, Father. Teach us where to "stand". In Your name, Amen.
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:1-5, NIV
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Home's Cool But So Is School
Early in my adult life here in NC, I met a family who homeschooled their children and went on to have six kiddos. SIX! I couldn't believe it...it seemed like so many, long before the days of 19 Kids and Counting. They were the coolest people too, totally in love with Jesus, and totally normal, at least in my opinion. They still homeschool numbers 2 through 6, while their oldest has graduated Homeschool High and moved away to university.
Unfortunately, I said it out loud then. I could never, would never, would never even WANT to, homeschool. Oh my word, it's SO not me....
Does anyone else have a list of things they said they'd never do that they are currently doing???
A few years ago, I felt drawn to find out more about how homeschool works. I asked questions, and some of my friends even invited me in to look through their supplies and walk through their school day. Strangely, I found myself writing things like this in my journal: "I can't believe I'm thinking about this again; what is wrong with me??? I'm thinking I might homeschool, and I'm totally scared!"
I comforted my fears by only committing to one year, kindergarten. Surely I couldn't screw up my child with just kindergarten, right? After our little experiment, he would go to school and be just fine. :)
We loved doing school at home that year, and Jace excelled far beyond kindergarten, so we just moved on to 1st grade curriculum early. We added in extra library books, field trips, park dates, and community sports. We even took part in a weekly homeschool coop, so all my kids had lots of interaction with other kids and extensive opportunities to explore the world around them.
Things went so well, we did it again this year, for Jace's 1st grade and Ryder's kindergarten, even though they are both working ahead in many subjects. We have enjoyed the flexibility homeschool has given us, the extra time together for our family, being able to simplify and slow down life a bit, and all the interactions with friends, homeschooling or not. As for end of year testing, we (he) just blew that out of the water, so I can truly breathe easy.
So thus far, I am thrilled about homeschool, and while we plan to take it one year at a time, right now, I hope to go at least a few more years just like this.
But you know what I hate about homeschooling? I HATE the condemnation and judgment. Really, it comes from all sides. I've heard many generalizations made about homeschoolers, the stereotypes and put downs. And I've heard homeschoolers make comments that sounded like God kicked them in the rear and made them realize they needed to make THE right choice. As if there's only one right choice. For all.
I hate the condemnation and judgment on both sides, but if you think about it, this happens with more subjects than we could count, doesn't it? Because at the heart of us all, we are prone to judge others to make ourselves feel better. And any way you look at it, anytime we do that, we are wrong, wrong, wrong. When we realize we do that, no matter which side of the issue we land on, we can call our own selves out. We can stop the judgments, stop looking down on anyone who chooses a different path, stop assuming we know their intentions, stop.
If you ever ask me a question about homeschool, I might answer excitedly and overflow with reviews and suggestions and encouragement that you totally could do it, even if it's SO not you. You might hear from me all sorts of reasons you *might* just love homeschool. Because we do.
But please do not assume I look down on you if you choose a different route. I do not feel I've chosen the righteous way. I do not believe public schools are horrible or that we are above them. I will not be waiting for God to kick you in the rear for a spiritual awakening that must include homeschooling.
The beauty in all this is, there are several good choices you can pick from. Each educational path will have ups and downs, pros and cons, so choose the one you believe will be best for your family at this time. I know only my own experience, that of homeschooling my kids and going through private schools myself. Oh, and one little public school incident where I went to pick up my neighbor's sick child, and the office staff had lost her. But it was all a big misunderstanding, and she eventually crawled out of the cabinet she was hiding in.
That really happened, but I promise I did not decide then and there that public schools swallow poor, innocent, sick children whole. At least not for more than a couple of years, and that was long before my first child popped out of me. That was when I still believed I would never, could never homeschool.
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall...the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
Romans 14:12-13, 17-19, NLT
Unfortunately, I said it out loud then. I could never, would never, would never even WANT to, homeschool. Oh my word, it's SO not me....
Does anyone else have a list of things they said they'd never do that they are currently doing???
A few years ago, I felt drawn to find out more about how homeschool works. I asked questions, and some of my friends even invited me in to look through their supplies and walk through their school day. Strangely, I found myself writing things like this in my journal: "I can't believe I'm thinking about this again; what is wrong with me??? I'm thinking I might homeschool, and I'm totally scared!"
I comforted my fears by only committing to one year, kindergarten. Surely I couldn't screw up my child with just kindergarten, right? After our little experiment, he would go to school and be just fine. :)
We loved doing school at home that year, and Jace excelled far beyond kindergarten, so we just moved on to 1st grade curriculum early. We added in extra library books, field trips, park dates, and community sports. We even took part in a weekly homeschool coop, so all my kids had lots of interaction with other kids and extensive opportunities to explore the world around them.
Things went so well, we did it again this year, for Jace's 1st grade and Ryder's kindergarten, even though they are both working ahead in many subjects. We have enjoyed the flexibility homeschool has given us, the extra time together for our family, being able to simplify and slow down life a bit, and all the interactions with friends, homeschooling or not. As for end of year testing, we (he) just blew that out of the water, so I can truly breathe easy.
So thus far, I am thrilled about homeschool, and while we plan to take it one year at a time, right now, I hope to go at least a few more years just like this.
But you know what I hate about homeschooling? I HATE the condemnation and judgment. Really, it comes from all sides. I've heard many generalizations made about homeschoolers, the stereotypes and put downs. And I've heard homeschoolers make comments that sounded like God kicked them in the rear and made them realize they needed to make THE right choice. As if there's only one right choice. For all.
I hate the condemnation and judgment on both sides, but if you think about it, this happens with more subjects than we could count, doesn't it? Because at the heart of us all, we are prone to judge others to make ourselves feel better. And any way you look at it, anytime we do that, we are wrong, wrong, wrong. When we realize we do that, no matter which side of the issue we land on, we can call our own selves out. We can stop the judgments, stop looking down on anyone who chooses a different path, stop assuming we know their intentions, stop.
If you ever ask me a question about homeschool, I might answer excitedly and overflow with reviews and suggestions and encouragement that you totally could do it, even if it's SO not you. You might hear from me all sorts of reasons you *might* just love homeschool. Because we do.
But please do not assume I look down on you if you choose a different route. I do not feel I've chosen the righteous way. I do not believe public schools are horrible or that we are above them. I will not be waiting for God to kick you in the rear for a spiritual awakening that must include homeschooling.
The beauty in all this is, there are several good choices you can pick from. Each educational path will have ups and downs, pros and cons, so choose the one you believe will be best for your family at this time. I know only my own experience, that of homeschooling my kids and going through private schools myself. Oh, and one little public school incident where I went to pick up my neighbor's sick child, and the office staff had lost her. But it was all a big misunderstanding, and she eventually crawled out of the cabinet she was hiding in.
That really happened, but I promise I did not decide then and there that public schools swallow poor, innocent, sick children whole. At least not for more than a couple of years, and that was long before my first child popped out of me. That was when I still believed I would never, could never homeschool.
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall...the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
Romans 14:12-13, 17-19, NLT
Saturday, April 23, 2011
One Spring To Another
It's been over a year since I posted a word here. Just one spring day to another...the following year! On my "leave of absence", I've been mommying, reading, soul-searching, seeking God, wondering how this time flew away from me so quickly.
My sweet littlest man is now 7 months old. He wiggles and shakes his fists, squirms to move his body from one spot on the rug to another, giggles and squeals and shouts.
What a full year this has been! And while the time passes even faster, it seems, with four little people at home, 7 months to 7 years, God prompts me again to redeem the time.
At home, the easiest thing to keep up with these days is the news. I can flip it on while the kids play outside and baby sleeps upstairs and I chop carrots next to the sink. But don't you just cringe at the news anymore? It's one uprising after another, one earthquake after another, one heartache after another, it's war, and it's politics.
When it comes to politics, what a mess. Each side hurls insults at the other, gross insults even, one side believes the other is fully motivated by greed, the other by power. Noone seems to believe these public servants, at least somewhere deep down, want the good of all, want the best for as many as possible, whichever side they are on. It's all very discouraging, disheartening, scary.
What's going on in our country, the world?
At times this year, my fear held me hostage, while I held tiny baby close and begged God to protect him from evil. I read eight thick books about the end of the world, along with the entire Bible. Maybe this is why time flies by these days? In between home and school and church and friends, I read.
I have to admit, my recent overindulgence in books came about because I felt scared. And while I struggle with fear, I know where it fizzles. Fear drives me to the Word of God and to books that help me study the Bible. I feel far more confident that God is in control and that I am His and that the end of the world may very well be near. I'm at peace with the fact that I don't get to know when.
I may be here for 50 more years and die an old lady, or Christ may come next year and all our plans will no longer matter as they once did.
Have you ever lived your life, your days, like it's not all about your little life?
What would it change for you, for me, if we lived like Jesus was coming sooner rather than later? Would many of our daily stresses melt away? Would we omit certain activities, watch less television, read more Scripture, spend more time loving our neighbors, serving? How do we FIRST seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, and what would it mean for us to store up treasures only in Heaven, not to store up anything here?
I wrestle these questions, and more, over months. I find answers, continue reading Scripture, ask more, wait for answers. I purpose not to stay busy--or entertained--just to drown out the hard questions. I want to offer Jesus more than just belief, more than avoiding the bad and filling up on good stuff, stuff that is fun and keeps us all smiles. So I ask.
How can we truly follow Jesus, with whatever time we have left here?
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.
Luke 12:16-21, NIV
Don't store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. But store your treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them.
Your heart will be where your treasure is.
The eye is a light for the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. And if the only light you have is really darkness, then you have the worst darkness.
No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches.
Matthew 6:19-24, NCV
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
Isaiah 55:6-8, NLT
My sweet littlest man is now 7 months old. He wiggles and shakes his fists, squirms to move his body from one spot on the rug to another, giggles and squeals and shouts.
What a full year this has been! And while the time passes even faster, it seems, with four little people at home, 7 months to 7 years, God prompts me again to redeem the time.
At home, the easiest thing to keep up with these days is the news. I can flip it on while the kids play outside and baby sleeps upstairs and I chop carrots next to the sink. But don't you just cringe at the news anymore? It's one uprising after another, one earthquake after another, one heartache after another, it's war, and it's politics.
When it comes to politics, what a mess. Each side hurls insults at the other, gross insults even, one side believes the other is fully motivated by greed, the other by power. Noone seems to believe these public servants, at least somewhere deep down, want the good of all, want the best for as many as possible, whichever side they are on. It's all very discouraging, disheartening, scary.
What's going on in our country, the world?
At times this year, my fear held me hostage, while I held tiny baby close and begged God to protect him from evil. I read eight thick books about the end of the world, along with the entire Bible. Maybe this is why time flies by these days? In between home and school and church and friends, I read.
I have to admit, my recent overindulgence in books came about because I felt scared. And while I struggle with fear, I know where it fizzles. Fear drives me to the Word of God and to books that help me study the Bible. I feel far more confident that God is in control and that I am His and that the end of the world may very well be near. I'm at peace with the fact that I don't get to know when.
I may be here for 50 more years and die an old lady, or Christ may come next year and all our plans will no longer matter as they once did.
Have you ever lived your life, your days, like it's not all about your little life?
What would it change for you, for me, if we lived like Jesus was coming sooner rather than later? Would many of our daily stresses melt away? Would we omit certain activities, watch less television, read more Scripture, spend more time loving our neighbors, serving? How do we FIRST seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, and what would it mean for us to store up treasures only in Heaven, not to store up anything here?
I wrestle these questions, and more, over months. I find answers, continue reading Scripture, ask more, wait for answers. I purpose not to stay busy--or entertained--just to drown out the hard questions. I want to offer Jesus more than just belief, more than avoiding the bad and filling up on good stuff, stuff that is fun and keeps us all smiles. So I ask.
How can we truly follow Jesus, with whatever time we have left here?
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.
Luke 12:16-21, NIV
Don't store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. But store your treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them.
Your heart will be where your treasure is.
The eye is a light for the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. And if the only light you have is really darkness, then you have the worst darkness.
No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches.
Matthew 6:19-24, NCV
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
Isaiah 55:6-8, NLT
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)