Eternal Perspective

 Eternal Perspective.  

This phrase is the best definition of my point of view in most of my conversations. And often, my opinions and views differ from others, but it isn't ignorance or denial as many people assume.  (There are times where my point of view is fallible...I'm human.)

My opinions often differ because I tend to view arguments and situations from an eternal perspective, from the ideals and desires of God that I have learned and absorbed through my time being in the Word and studying it.

There is no issue or cause that I do not take an eternal perspective to interpret.  You've seen me do it here before.  I will learn of something new and take time to mull it over and determine what stance I will take.  I can often see both sides of the issues presented, but there are more than just the two sides.  There is a bigger picture, an eternal and spiritual influence within every issue and decision we face.

While we as Christians are to fervently love one another, Jesus loved without authorizing sinners to continue sinning and He loved in spite of sin, knowing what a sinner could not understand without first coming to Him.

Having an eternal perspective means seeing sin for what it is, loving the sinner and sharing the Lord with them.  So, when someone brings up social justice, or some other controversial issue and argues a specific point, I don't see it as black and white.  I see the spiritual warfare happening to influence both sides.  And then I bring it to the Lord in prayer.

The Parable of the Minas

This past Sunday was Palm Sunday.  Most all of us know that story.  Our pastor taught on what happened just before Jesus' triumphal entry.  I hadn't heard a teaching on this passage before and I hadn't realized it was just before Jesus' triumphal entry.  Knowing that made a lot of points click for me.

Luke 19:11-27 is the parable of the minas.  It is similar to the parable of the talents, but different with a different meaning.  

Verse  12 says "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return." (NKJV)  The nobleman is Jesus.

Verse 13 he gives his servants ten minas and said to them "do business till I come" other translations say "occupy till I come".

Verses 15-20 is the servants telling the nobleman what they have done with the mina they were responsible for.  Each servant received the same exact thing: one mina.  There is ONE GOSPEL.  

Each time the servant shares what they did with the mina, the nobleman rewards them based on their responsibility.  Being faithful with little means they were entrusted with more responsibility.

Lesson:  Live the gospel & proclaim the gospel. Be good stewards of the gifts and abilities that God has given us.  Be a good steward of your finances, your time, and the resources God has given you.

1 Peter 4:10 "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."  (reading this whole passage is good too if you want to delve further into it).

Minister to others with the gifts and abilities that God has given you.  

Homeschooling & Romans 5:2-5

Motherhood was always my easy-to-identify ambition.  Homeschooling in motherhood was never even part of my girlish imaginings!  This year I will graduate my firstborn.  God has enabled me to customize her education since she was a 5th grader.  It has been a blessing and an honor to be involved in her upbringing so intricately.  

Romans 5:2-5 "Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love." (NLT)

Paul is speaking of Salvation in this verse.  I feel it also fits our homeschooling journey as well.  We began homeschooling because of our faith/convictions -and purely out of faith that God would lead us because we didn't know what we were doing! 

Being a parent that homeschools adds an immense weight of responsibility and dedication to your plate.

As parents we are called to teach our children, and to some families, that includes outside help from the public/private school system.  Nothing wrong with that.  God's plan for each child and each family is specifically tailored to that child and family.

For our family, God very clearly brought us to homeschooling when our girls were still in elementary school.  It wasn't something we had planned on or even considered prior to God presenting it to us as our only viable option.

Homeschooling is an undeserved privilege in my mind.  It has afforded me the honor of being present in my children's lives with an inside look at what they deal with.  I know their strengths and weaknesses, I see their growth and maturity in their struggles, and it constantly brings me to my knees in prayer -begging the Lord for wisdom and discernment to know how best to handle each situation as it arises.  God has been faithful throughout the years, and He continues to be.

Rejoicing in problems and trials is never the easy, or even the first, reaction.  But as I watch my children face their challenges, I rejoice in them because I know how their endurance, character, and hope in Christ may be strengthened.  I am blessed to walk alongside them, to pray with them, and to see the Lord move.

New Perspective

After looking over last year's minimal posts, it was obvious to me that it was a challenging year.  My perspective was inward and life was mentally exhausting.

The Christmas vacation with my little family was good for me.  I was able to unwind and relax.  Postponing one of our celebrations suppressed much of my normal drive to clean and organize in the new year.  I said "yes" more frequently to my littles asking for mommy to play, and we enjoyed each other.

It was very good.  God has also pulled me into Him and my perspective away from myself and my own internal struggles.  Very good, indeed.  I feel refreshed, and cautious too.  I know these seasons ebb and flow.

The struggles haven't disappeared or greatly changed much.  My attitude and perspective has.  

2023

2023.

A blur.

Many painful and challenging private moments.  Many beautiful and precious moments too.

I had to look back at the pictures I have taken because I truly can't remember how the year was.

I am thankful that it is over.  I am happy to move forward.

Pictures of my family and the memorable moments we had together bring joy to my heart.  They remind me that even in the difficulties of life, God gives joy.

Over-extending Myself

 Speaking of over-extending myself...hahahaha!

My older kiddos have been desiring more fellowship with friends and getting out of the house to do things.  I didn't really know how to go about doing this, but God does!

I tried joining some homeschool teen groups on social media, but my girls kept declining to go to the events because they didn't know anyone there...

Then I learned of a new group for our local area and I've been attending the mom's meetings once a month.  I really enjoy these ladies and love that not only are they local, but they are like-minded families.  We will start getting together for their events this month as a school thing.  I am hoping the kids will make some friends in this group.

And, because God is good, He knows just how to reach my girls.  A group on social media started a Coffee House meet-up for teen girls and moms.  We went for the first time, it was the coffee that gave them the incentive to go, but afterwards they both said they were glad to have gone!

I'm thankful for these new people in our lives, but also trying to guard myself, because now we are part of three different homeschool groups in addition to youth group and AWANAs.

We have some time to play with, because school doesn't take a full day like public school, but I need to leave space for time to be home and the life things like grocery shopping, housework and appointments.

Mental Overwhelm

There is so much I want to think about, to plan and prep.  All things that would help me to be more organized and prepared for the busyness of life.

But my brain is overwhelmed.  It needs to unload the burden and decompress.

Friday, I learned that one of my homeschool mama 'friends' was in the hospital with her two-year-old son because his bloodwork came back with bad news.  Leukemia is the expectation of the doctors.  He had to have a bone biopsy and a blood transfusion because his numbers were so low.  Thankfully, he was able to be discharged and sent home Sunday.  He has an appointment with the oncologist to review the results this week.

He is her baby, youngest of four.  He was born with downs syndrome and apparently bloodwork is a routine check for babies like him.  My compassion for them went into overdrive and all I could do was think about how to be the best help for them.  

My heart is to serve others and I know myself.  I know that I can easily over-extend myself in helping.  I have to balance my desire to help with my commitment to my own family.  That makes it hard.  I call her my friend because we go to park days together and we chat, along with the other mamas that are regular attendees.  We aren't especially close at all, other than we are two of the few mamas with little ones still.  I save my son's clothes to pass down to hers.

I don't know what the future holds.  I can't imagine being in her shoes, although I understand cancer well enough to relate to the logistics of what she is dealing with.  I will walk alongside her as best I can as her fellow sister in Christ.