Remember that song? "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice! and again I say, rejoice! Rejoice, rejoice, and again I say, rejoice!" It's a great song to sing as a round!
I'm not sure where else you find this phrase in the Word, but it's a prevalent one in the book of Philippians, which I've been studying for the past couple of months. What a wonderful book, and one I've learned so much from. I'd say that "Rejoice in the Lord" is actually the theme of Philippians. In chapter one, we learn to rejoice despite our imprisonments. In chapter two, we learn to rejoice despite people. In chapter three we rejoice despite things or the lack of things, and in chapter four we rejoice despite our circumstances. Note that never does it say "Rejoice because everything is so peachy!" Paul says several times, "follow my example." So what does that mean to us as homeschool moms?
Well, in chapter one he writes, "I will rejoice . . .according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life, or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Okay, so you can't exactly teach your kids to follow Paul's example in run-on-sentences!) Deciding that our priority in life is exalting Christ is a huge step. And he actually says he wants Christ to be exalted *in his body.* That's interesting. So I guess that's hitting all of our activities--what we do, eat, how we do or don't work out, the way we dress, what we say . . . it's pretty all-encompassing! Is Christ being exalted in my body? In the way I clean my house? The food I'm eating and preparing for my family? The words I'm speaking to my husband and children? In my sweet attitude as I wipe up another mess?
Chapter 2 has Paul giving us another example to follow. He says, "even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all." I think we can definitely relate to being "poured out" as moms. I felt poured out numerous times last night as my little one woke me up to nurse. I felt poured out when I sat in church Wednesday night worrying about my eldest (whom we still have no updates from, by the way!) I feel poured out right now just looking at the pile of laundry I need to fold, as well as the kids' bathroom which is in need of a major scrubdown. I have things I'd like to do besides these, you know! One day as I was cleaning I said to the Lord, "I used to have a life, you know!" and He replied, "Yes, and you still do, and this is it." He was exactly right. I can let myself be poured out and embrace the pouring, or I can fight it and we'll all be miserable. For me it makes a big difference when I remind myself that the offering is to Him!
I have numerous pouring opportunities awaiting me right now, so I guess chapters 3 and 4 will have to wait!
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