homeschooling through chaos and joy

My latest article...

We are having some problems getting our Magazine out this time, but I wanted to share this with you all anyhow...

Keeping the Impact of Easter Fresh in Our Hearts

Jesus died for our sins, we know that. We know he rose again. And we’ve even read that this living God is inside of us. Yet, we get caught up in life and somehow in our rush to get here and there and making sure our list of things to do gets done, we lose the opportunities to connect with those we come in contact with in the way God intends.

Today you can run into the grocery store grab the milk and few other items needed, run through the self-check out and never speak a word or crack a smile at anyone. It’s like we are too busy to share the Prince of Peace along the way. Yeah, I’m the one that is striking up conversations with those in line around me. Few get annoyed, but usually I can have a light conversation with a stranger and wish them a good day when done. Even if I don’t mention Jesus, I share Him. I think that people get caught up in sharing Jesus means giving "chapter and verse" in a superior voice. Certainly, there are times and places for "chapter and verse." We need scripture.

There are also times that our casual words can be encouragement to help lift a person’s spirits, and we don’t even know what we said or how it impacts others.

I use a homeschool forum regularly. Once I posted a comment, and then said to myself, "Why did I say that – that sounded dumb." The person whom I was responding to said it left her crying and it comforted her in the Lord - and reminded her that He really was in charge. We really just don’t know how our words can lift another’s spirits. I couldn’t homeschool my kids if I didn’t have access to the words of encouragement I can get at any time from my forum friends. We all need to see the Resurrected Christ in our lives to be encouraged and to build our faith. Endurance in our daily lives comes from hope that we can make it. We are blessed when other reach out to us. We bless others when we reach out to them.

My challenge to you is to look around while you are out. Wherever your path leads you, look for those opportunities God has waiting for you at every stop. Smile when you hand over the payment for your gas or prescriptions. Comment with "have a blessed day" Follow the leading of the living God inside of you and allow Him to live through you. Three days was long enough for Him to be shut up. Let him out of the grave and out of your mouth.