A "God" Moment...

As a Christian and a home schooling mom, God continues to teach me, to refine me, and to reveal Himself to me in some of the most astounding ways.

Yesterday was one of those days.

We usually begin each school day with a devotion, taking a few minutes to focus on God's Word or His character, etc. Well yesterday, instead of doing a traditional devotion, I opened my mouth and out came the most beautiful lesson not only for our children, but for me as well.

I began by encouraging my children to spend time in the Word with God every day (on their own). I told them I wouldn't make them do that because God never makes us do the right thing. He tells us or shows us what the right things are and leaves the choosing up to us.

I told them about how so many times we, as Christians, will go to God day after day asking Him to meet our needs, giving Him our list of people and things to bless or problems to fix, but how often do we ask Him what's on His heart? How often do we go to God and say, "What can I do for You today?"

Because Christianity is a relationship, not a religion, we need to treat it as such. I used the example of their dad...How if they were grown up and lived somewhere else, what would their relationship with him be like if all they did was send a list of things for him to accomplish for them? I can tell you it would be pretty lame. But, because they love their dad, because they value their relationship with him, hopefully they will want to talk to him, to tell him about what's on their hearts and to know what's on his. The same is true of our relationship with our Heavenly Dad.

The beautiful thing about this impromptu "devotion" was that it was exactly what I needed to hear yesterday! I didn't plan it, but God saw an opportunity as I opened my mouth and He filled it up with what was on His heart...that being a closer relationship with each one of us!

What an awesome God we serve! And how gracious He is to look beyond our agenda and give us what we need the most!

But as for us, we will bless the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 115:18 (NASB)

Back to the Grindstone!

The road trip is over. The getting-assimilated-to-home-again is over. Now it's time to put our noses to the grindstone. We have some loose ends to tie up where the trip is concerned, then it's back to business as usual. (We actually have some catching up to do with our reading... I just couldn't take all the books that were listed on the curriculum.)

My primary job for the day is to keep the main thing the main thing. For starters, that means I need to remember that...

"This is the day the LORD has made; [I will] rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 (NIV) :-)

Broken Bread and Poured Out Wine

"To be a holy person means that the elements of our natural life experience the very presence of God as they are providentially broken in His service. We have to be placed into God and brought into agreement with Him before we can be broken bread in His hands. Stay right with God and let Him do as He likes, and you will find that He is producing the kind of bread and wine that will benefit His other children." ~ Oswald Chamber, My Utmost for His Highest [September 30]

As Christians, we are called to be broken bread and poured out wine. This is true for every aspect of our lives--including home schooling. Christianity is the institution of servanthood: serving those around us with love and humility.

As parents and as teachers, we are the authorities in our schools. We are the leaders. But in following Christ's example, we are to be servant leaders... Broken bread and poured out wine for His purposes. The challenge is in allowing Him to break us and pour us out on the altar of our lives, knowing that both the breaking and pouring will be painful.

Father, may I be fully submissive to You today, in whatever ways you would break me or pour me out for Your purposes. ...in Jesus....