~ About Me ~
Hi, welcome to my blog. I will be sharing our experience as we homeschool 5 boys - our struggles, trials, prayers, and blessings. There are many challenges along the way for any homeschooler and I hope you are encouraged by what you read here. We use Sonlight and My Father's World as our main curriculum. Thank you for stopping by and comments are welcomed.
No ones parents are perfect...some have more problems than others and it affects those in their lives but I believe we can find positive things even in the worst of circumstances. (Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.) The Lord can take any circumstance or situation and turn it into something good. How? I have no idea but I have seen Him do it over and over in my own life. I was a rotten teenager and young adult...I turned my back on the Lord and my family...but when I finally came around He was there waiting for me...He took the bad things that I did and He has used them in my life in many different ways. I am so thankful He is a God of second and third...(and many more) chances.
Today I want to thank Him for my parents. I am thankful for their dedication to their family. They were not perfect (who is?). They made plenty of mistakes like many parents. They had a lot of personal problems that affected myself and my sisters BUT I know they loved us. They did the best they could and I am grateful for that. My dad was a very hard worker and even when he was laid off he still found a job to do so that he could provide for his family. My mom was there when we got home from school and was able to help out financially by watching other children. My mom also lifted me up in prayer when I went through my rebellious teen years. I am sure most of their gray hair came from me. *sigh* They loved me anyway and they taught me that even though your children mess up you can still love them. You do not have to condone their behavior but you can be there so that when they do come around they see open arms waiting for them.
It reminds me of the Lord. He too loves us unconditionally and it is a perfect love with no flaws. No one can ever love us like the Lord does...no one can forgive us like He does. I am thankful though that He does give us the ability to love and forgive through the Holy Spirit those people He has put in our lives.
My parents will be here for about 10 days visiting us. I am thankful that they are able to come out and spend time with their grandchildren. They do not get to see them very often but it is always nice to have them here.
Our parents are so precious - even if they aren't totally perfect!
I only have my Dad left now and I know that he is always there when I need him.
~Chrissy
What a great post. I can relate.
You know I was trying to explain to someone ( very close) about how we can still love our children (showing them love) and not agree or condone with their wrong behavior/actions at the same time You hit it in your post. I will have to show this individual that I am not the only one that feels this way...The Lord does. I can't imagine if after I messed up...and I did, still do at times. If the Lord were to just set me aside and stop showing me His love. How devastated I would be. I do not want to do that to my children, I want to let them know, like the Lord let's me know that I love them unconditionally!
Sorry such a long comment. This was really needed for me to read today. Thanks so much for sharing.God bless you.
Funny thing - my beloved and I just talked about our teen years yesterday. We were not angels and that our parents still loved us - just like God does.
I think when we are raising our own children, we have to remember who we have been in our rebellious years - that might help us to understand their behavior. We can only pray when they are rebelling and letting them know that we will always be there for them - and that God loves them even more.
Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us this past week.
What an honoring post... both to God and your parents. I, too, am very grateful for a patient God and a praying mother. Have a fun time with your parents' visit.
Therefore encourage one another and build
each other up... 1 Thessalonians 5:11b
Aug. 21, 2008 - Thankful Thursday
Iris at Sting My Heart is focusing on peace today. Everyone longs for peace - peace in their homes and in their countries. As Iris pointed out one definition of peace is: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. Another definition, which encompasses the above definition is: Strong's Concordance 7965 - Hebrew Shalom ..... A word study in the New King James version for SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.
I am so thankful for the peace of God. It is more than being free from conflict on the outside...it is true freedom from conflict on the inside. So many times we appear to be cool, calm and collective but inside our emotions and thoughts are raging. I am so thankful that we, as believers, can have shalom even in our inner being. When the storm is raging call on your Prince of Peace and He will quiet you with His peace. Thank you Jesus for that peace...it is a strong testimony of your work in our lives.
I am also thankful for my MIL and her sister. They have offered to take the boys for a day so that I can have some time to myself.
I am thankful that my dh's new job is going well. The Lord has given him peace, wisdom and strength each day.
My prayer for you:
The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace (shalom). Numbers 6:24-26
Sonshine over at Glimpse of Sonshine presented me with this award - Thank you for your kindness!! It was not easy to choose only 5 blogs for this award because I enjoy reading so encouraging and informative blogs. Blessings to all of you...and keep on writing!!
Now I must:
1. Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award based on creativity, design, interesting material, and overall contribution to the blogger community, regardless of the language.
2. Post the name of the author and a link to his or her blog so everyone can view it.
3. Each award-winner has to show the award and put a name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award.
4. The award winner and presenter should post the link of the �Arte y pico� blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5. Please post these rules.
I nominate the following blogs for this award(in no particular order!)...
Tiany at Less of Me~More of Him: a beautiful blog plus homeschooling and homemaking resources
Stacy at By God's Grace: love her cute graphics, worship music & her willingness to be real about life and give God the glory
Dee at Boys 'R' Us: fellow homeschool mom of all boys; enjoy reading her humorous posts about life with all boys
Song of the Sagebrush: enjoy her poems & posts about her life on the ranch; brings me back to the simple way of life
Shorty Bear's Place: love to read her Thankful Thursday post; a beautiful heart that loves the Lord
"Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You..."Jeremiah 32:17
I am thankful there is nothing to difficult for our God. If He can create the heavens and the earth through His great power then we can be sure He is able to accomplish mighty things in our own lives.
I am thankful for my husband, who has worked tirelessly this week training in his second job and continues to accomplish work in the ministry. I am thankful for his dedication to the Lord and to his family.
I am thankful for my children. They are each a unique gift from the Lord. They may bring challenges into our lives but they are also a huge blessing.
Thank you Iris for hosting the Thankful Thursday meme. If you would like to know more head on over to her blog and check it out. You will not be disappointed.
