This morning I read Maribeth Spangenberg's article on Crosswalk.com; Homeschool - A Spiritual Exploit. I printed it out, and then gathered my children around to read it to them. I urge you to do the same! Even if there are some ideas in there that you feel don't apply to you, read it. Read it out loud.

I had each child tell me what they heard. Did they like the article? Was it good? Why was it good? What did it say to them?

Now, I want you to know that my kids can be exceptional when we are out in public. They are kind, helpful, courteous, etc. But at home they can be the worst examples of Christ like behavior to walk the halls! And you know what? So can I! Familiarity can breed some very contemptible human beings. But as a family, love covers a multitude of sins. We are forgivable here with our bad behavior. We love one another, and we can forgive the slights, the "on purpose" naughtiness, the taking for granted....yes, we can forgive. But wait! We shouldn't continue in those surly habits even if we are forgivable! We are supposed to be growing in grace and truth, right?

We get so nasty with each other at times that I feel like a total fraud! Sure, we can be nice to Mrs. So and So at the grocery, but get home and the arrows start flying! It is despicable at times. We are only walking with Christ when we feel like it. You know that saying "Home is Where the Heart Is?" How about "Home Is Where The Hurt Is."

Ouch.

But how do we grow?

As homeschooling Mothers, we are doing this 24/7 thing and to tell you the truth I have jokingly told a few of my friends that I am looking for a place to send my kids. Half joking. Maybe more than half. :) But escaping from the situation isn't the answer. We have to take the bull by the horns, so to speak. If we aren't growing, then we aren't nurturing the things that need to be.

After I gathered the kids for the reading, then we prayed. We thanked the Lord for everything He has given us. That we wouldn't take anything for granted. And that we would walk like Christ, inside our home and out.

I prayed for my youngest son about his gift of service. He is the first one to help or jump up when something needs to be done. But he can get frustrated when he gives and gives and gives, and nobody ever appreciates him. I reminded him that Jesus gave, gave and gave some more, only to be beaten, and crucified for us. He didn't say, "Hey people, look at all I have done for you! Why are you being so hateful and mean? How about a "thank you!" No, Jesus opened not his mouth. And when He finally did open it, he just trusted God with the situation, and asked His father to forgive them who were doing the unforgivable.

There have been days lately when my faith has really wavered. I found myself questioning the existence of God! How presumptuous of me. I can pray to Him, have Him constantly in my thoughts and yet when I get down and out of sorts.....ha! Somehow God doesn't exist. The fool has said in her heart, "There is no God."

So I was talking to the kids about doubting Thomas, and telling them how I had been feeling. But then reminding them of all He brought ME through. And reminding them of all he has brought US through as a family.

Doubting Thomas? Yes, we all can relate. But How about Denying Peter? I talked to the kids about how we are all "Denying Peters." We say we know Him, but then turn around and treat our sister badly. We don't speak up for Christ when our friends need to hear about Him.  We are denying Christ when we do that. We can pray, read our Bible, spend time with Him, then turn right around and disobey our parents. Before the cock crows even once!

I asked my kids "how do you get to know someone?"  My youngest said "when you meet them."  Nope, I have met many people that I don't know.  We bantered that back and forth and finally got to this: If you don't have a relationship with someone that is vital and real, then you can't say that you really know them. Peter knew Jesus, but quickly turned away when the pressure got high.

We find ourselves doing the same thing Peter did.

When I first got married, a friend from our church told my newly wedded husband and I that our relationship with God was like a triangle, with God at the top. Every moment that we individually get closer to God, we become closer to each other. I have told my kids this analogy many times. But today, our analogy changed to more of a pyramid. God is at the top and each of the children and my husband and I are all around the base of this very funny shaped (more than 4) sided object. As each of us get closer to the Lord, we all get closer to each other....and in our closeness, we are more Christ like to each other. Funny how that works!

If everyone is seeking the Lord, we all can function better as a family, and as Christians we can serve the Lord better within our walls, and outside of our walls.

Sifting does come, the pressure is on us as homeschooling familes who are dedicated to the Lord. But we just keep moving towards God, and towards each other. And with each step we take, we become more fine, more pure, more refined examples of Christ and we can be more of a blessing to our siblings, to our spouses and we can be more effective in the world. No more "Denying Peters" around here.

It just takes a few moments each day of teaching and training your children in the Lord, Ladies. Set the tone, don't give up on Him or His Word. Even if you feel like Doubting Thomas today, His Word will not return void!

Nancy

Homeschooling Is Life!