When I realized that it was time for another column, my usual panic hit me; what will I write about this time? So this is what popped into my head.
Things To Count On
Now, this doesn't mean fingers, toes, abacus or calculator. It's not about math, although it might be. I'm not sure yet.
What are some of the things that we can count on in our lives? Everybody needs something, or someone to be able to count on. We need consistency, truth, a firm foundation.
So off the top of my head, here are a few things I can count on.
1. My husband. I can always count on him to be a man of his word, to be a hard worker and to love me no matter what. I am so thankful I can count on him!
2. My kids will be kids. I can count on that. They aren't little adults, although they are growing up. They still will argue, make wrong choices, be entirely too inquisitive, be extremely lovable, be a challenge and a joy. Those things I can count on.
3. My friends are amazing. I can count on the fact that the friends that the Lord has placed in my life have been amazing. They are funny, encouraging, uplifting, helpful, forgiving and generous. They have listening ears and hearing hearts. I can count on my friends.
4. Homeschooling will always be a challenge. I can count on that. It isn't because of some magical mystery that makes it hard to homeschool your children. It is because homeschooling mimics life. It IS life. Life is a challenge. Every child is different, every mom is different, every day is different; I know I can count on that. I can't count on perfection, rigid inflexibility and normalcy. Those are fig-newtons of my imagination.
5. There are certain authors that I can count on. I can count on the writings of Raymond and Dorothy Moore, and I can count on Ruth Beechick. I hope I spelled those right. I can count on them for encouragement, huge doses of it. I can count on Mary Hood, PhD., and Chris and Ellyn Davis. These are some homeschooling pioneers who have spoken to me in my life. They have been invaluable to me. I can count on them to lead me back to believing in myself, my kids and all of our abilities.
6. I can count on having a house that does NOT look like Martha Stewart's. We live here, work here, play here, learn here; 24/7, or so it seems. We make messes and call it school. We learn and call it life. You can always count on that.
7. I can always count on something going awry at my house. You know that law called "Murphy's Law?" I could change my name to Murphy in a heartbeat. We ALWAYS have a bump, cut, bruise, owie, broken whatever or other crisis. And we can pretty much count on Mom freaking out over each one. Hopefully someday I will be able to count on my ability to stay calm. Someday, sigh!
8. I can always count on the Lord to be there for me, joy or sorrow, rain or shine. All these other things "count" so much for me, and I count them all joy! (Except when I am grumpy and rebellious) But it is the Lord who lifts me up, sets my feet straight, and sets my mind on the things above. If He wasn't my firm foundation, all those other things that count so much wouldn't really mean that much in the end.
Some count on chariots, some count on horses, but I will choose to count on the Lord! That is the NKB version. 
Counting my blessings,
Nancy
