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King Apostolic Academy Homeschool
Feb. 4, 2009
Finally, Decisions!
Since my last blog, back in October, I have done alot of praying and seeking for answers. I've talked to individuals in situations like mine, wiser saints that have already walked this path, and even individuals who don't know my situation by experience but they know the Word of God.
It has been a tremendously hard fight for me. It seems like it shouldn't have been, but it was nonetheless. Would you like to know the conclusion of the matter?
"Wisdom" has said: "Your primary place is in your home. I've raised 8 little brats and never regretted one day of having them. I am so blessed now in my old age because they take care of me. You put everything else on the back burner."
"Like Me" said: "You can't worry about what other people will think. Just smile and do what you know you need to do. I only had 1 major project going when I was still having babies, other than that I had more than enough with my family to care for."
"Knowledgeable" said: "What is your greatest priority of the things that you need to let go? Find out who can replace you in these areas, who will be committed to the job. If you can be replaced by someone who will commit to doing the work then you can walk away. Otherwise, continue until God gives you someone that can replace you. It will not please God for you to just drop what you are doing."
Having taken all of that into account, I have made some tough decisions. I have decided to resign from Sunday School as a teacher once this baby is born. That wasn't easy. I was met with some opposition, but I know that it was the right thing for me to do. I have no intention of never being a Sunday School member, quite the contrary. However, to carry the weight of the class is more than I can handle. There are too many Sundays when, no matter how I try, I can't get my family out of the house that early. I had to really think alot about that. Was it because I just didn't want to? Can I prepare my family for other times we needed to go somewhere early and do it successfully? Am I giving God less than by best? When my head finally cleared I recalled that I don't make early morning appointments. My appointments are always for later than 10:30 am if I have to take any children with me. If I need to move all of them, that time is moved to after 11:30 at the earliest. I know how difficult it is to move my clan in the wee hours of the morning.
I also have decided not to run for re-election of my Nursery post. I've talked this over with my chairlady and she more than understands the decision. Therefore, I will not be resigning from my current position. I will work until the term is over and then only as I am needed for any particular Sunday's work assignment. It feels pretty good to know that there is atleast an end in sight.
As for Deaf Ministry, the Lord pointed out to me that I have a daughter that is doing quite well in the interpreter's chair. If I just continue to teach her, I will have raised my replacement in that area. Better yet, this is someone who is not married and having babies. Again, I am not resigning from that, but scaling back a little.
Finally, there is the Married Couples Committee. I have seriously considered turning that job over to my very able Assistant. However, my problem with that position was simply micro-management. I tried to do too much instead of letting the rest of the Committee do what they were there to do. Over the past few months I have delegated alot of the responsibility. To my surprise, there is so much more getting done now than has ever been done before. I have come to realize that I am part of a team of great workers, with a heart for marriage and family, who only needed to be asked to do something. I am so blessed to be a part of this group. As a Committee, we are working on 3 major projects for the next 12 months, when previously we only did one at a time. I think that my pride needed to be dealt with here.
Even though it doesn't seem that I have made any major changes since my last post, I mean I still have the same responsibilities that I had then, alot has been accomplished. For one, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know what I will be doing and even how to guard against making the same error of over-committment again. It still bugs me a little that I can't get other people to understand why I need to do this, but then everyone isn't in the same place right? I need to understand that others don't understand and let that be okay.
So what can I offer to you, the ones with small families who are starting this journey.
1. Guard against over committment. Be sure that what you are about to take on is really what you should be doing right now. Ask yourself if a sense of duty to the Lord is compelling you or a sense of pride.
2. Don't make any decisions until you have talked them over with your husband first! So you've prayed about this and really believe that the Lord is calling you to do this. Remember Eve? Check with your first line of spiritual authority before agreeing to any job. Your husband will easily see the obstacles that you can't because you feel a "need" to do something. Accept his assessment and recommendations. If he says no, then it's no!
3. If you are going to take on a responsibility, be clear on what it really entails. Sometimes that job you think you are about to do isn't really the one that you will be doing. In more than one instance, I ended up in a leadership role that I didn't originally agree to. Circumstances changed and there I was - leading. If it looks like things are getting to be too much then...
4. Know your exit strategy and try to be as upfront about it in the beginning. If having another child will make it difficult for you to continue, tell the people that you are working with that in the beginning. This will remove the feeling of guilt that you are letting them down by your surprise withdrawal.
I don't confess to know alot, but I hope that this will be helpful to somebody. Thanks for all of the great comments that you have posted. I have thought about much of what has been shared and I am truly thankful to the Lord for your willingness to be so open. Continue to pray for me and my family, I will remember to do the same.
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Sharonda 
About Me 
This is the homeschooling journey of an Apostolic family in the Windy City! We have seven children (so far), so there is always alot of excitement around here! Unit Studies are our curriculum of choice and we will post lots of pictures of the fun. Thanks for visiting and come back again soon!
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Feb. 10, 2009 - Great Post!
I'll keep this advice in my heart. Do you mind if I talk about your post on my blog and provide a link back your site?