Blessed

The cat sits in the sunbeam. The dog naps on the couch. The kids are done with the majority of their schoolwork for the day, and they are enjoying a bit of free time. My back aches and there are still so many things that I need to accomplish for the day, but I am feeling blessed.

Many days are lacking this moment of quiet, but today I soak it in much as my cat does the sunbeam.

Mothering, and certainly homeschooling, are not for the faint of heart. But many times I feel just exactly that....faint of heart. In spite of this, blessings always abound. That really does not change just because I feel blessed, or I don't.

For now, though, I am so encouraged when the Lord opens up doors for me to be an encouragement to someone else. I am unworthy, yet, He allows me to work for Him and that honor cannot be seen as anything less than a blessing.

Each day we have choices that will result in either furthering the work of Satan or furthering the work of Christ. Each time that I come to that crossroads, and it is often, may I choose to work in the path prepared by my Lord......drawing others into and encouraging them along this narrow path.

Each opportunity makes the sore back and aching feet worth it. What a glorious blessing if I am allowed to give up my own plans, my own comfort, for Him.

Take me now, Lord Jesus take me;
I would give my heart to Thee.
Thy devoted servant make me,
Only Thine to be.

Use me now, Lord Jesus, use me,
As I tell of Calvary.
May Thy Spirit move within me,
Bringing souls to Thee.

Send me now, Lord Jesus, send me,
Lead me in the perfect way.
Thy command shall always guide me;
Gladly I obey.

Savior, while my heart is tender,
I would give Thee ev'ry part.
All my talents I surrender;
I am Thine, Lord, here's my heart.

Ron Hamilton

The Least Of These

Finally! A moment of quiet to collect my thoughts, or at least any I can still find to round up. The children are enjoying the evening of sunshine after supper. And here I sit with nothing more on my mind than breathing, and just......being.

With two additional elementary age children this week, we are running (and I mean running), at a faster pace than my nature usually takes us. Three boys. Three girls. All are wonderful children, but I am tired. How can six children eat this much? Can hardly wait for the teenage years. My lack of flexibility mentioned previously is being noticed on a grander scale. If you want the Lord to test you in a certain area, then just blog about it!

Continuing to lead my children through school while entertaining company is interesting, but doable. We are just including them in everthing. Even our study of ancient history! And I have to say, for the most part, they are doing fine. Children ready to give an answer to the Bible questions that arise, or make a list of all the different species of wildlife we see on our excursions. Alright, language lessons become a little more challenging, but I have this week and next to figure out how to make that more interactive.

Once again I have to struggle to not feel overwhelmed with the changes in my routine. I guess that struggle will be a life-long companion. Half-way through the week, with my husband half-way across the country, I wonder if I can maintain the momemtum.

I have asked the Lord to show me ways I can be used, however small. If being available to families who need help with their children is what He has for me, then I am greatful to be used. Frequently, I need to remind myself of why I am doing what I do. The long-range goal often becomes hazy. Couldn't I be used better as a nurse, or missionary, or.......? So often almost anything seems more important than folding one more load of laundry or fixing one more snack (or six).

As I usher our extras out the door into the waiting car, another waits in the wings. As I turn, he tells me of his grandfather's death this week. "Can he come to supper, Mommy?" my seven year old asks. I am not sure that despair does not cloud my vision for a moment, but I say, "Would you like to come in, D----?" "Sure", he replies. After visiting for awhile he says he is going home, but will come back when we are finished with supper. As I call the children to the table, the back door opens. D---- is back with his plate and his cup. "My Mom says she doesn't care if I come eat with ya'll. She's just watching her TV shows."

Flexibility. There it is again. "Have a potato, D---. We have plenty." Daddy may be away, but all six places are filled at our supper table. The kids all eye the cookies on the counter. This is our life. We are blessed to have opportunities to serve, to share.

"As much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

Was that verse written for me, and for those like me? While we long to serve our Lord, we feel hampered by our "responsibilities"-----then the back door opens, and the Lord usshers in our ministry.

"Welcome to our home. Make yourself comfortable."

Bits and Pieces of Life

Toy cars. Stacks of playdoh containers. Sheet music. Children's artword. Laundry. A dog crate. Shoes. And mud everywhere. It has been raining alot lately. As I sit among it all, I feel tired, and sad, and happy, and overwhelmed.

These are the bits and pieces of our life. Crazy and packed with "stuff". Do we use it all? Maybe. Yet if I forget the meaning of it, I become overwhelmed. Will I ever climb out from under it all, and be happy to welcome company at any time they drop by? Possibly, but probably not. Not enough to meet my perfectionistic ideals.

Maybe, once again, I am looking at it all wrong. Bits and pieces of our life. Little vignettes of childhood. Of family. Clutter that I would not have if it were not for these beautiful little people given to us by our Creator.

Some of my most special memories are those made at my Gram Ruth's home with the most amazing layers of "clutter" accumulated over decades. Yet there we were never happier or felt more loved. As children, we amused ourselves for hours at a time, sorting through "treasures" of decades past. Among the dust and debris, I learned to value the past. Each treasure brought with it glimpses of another life. Every broken toy, tattered book or ancient picture opened my eyes to a world that I wanted to share in. Bits and pieces of history---my history.

While others my age were turned off to the older generation, I was drawn to them, as oracles of the past. Each gray hair and wrinkled feature, spoke to me of a life story, yet untold. How I wish I could know and share with you each of those stories. Many were lost behind glassy eyes and vacant memories. At times I wept, knowing that another "past" was lost to us.

I am thrilled to know that another of my grandmothers, who also values the past, is even now writing the history of our family. She does it for me, for my children and grandchildren. The day that I can read that story to my children will be a wonderful time. They too can connect with their past.

So as I sit among my clutter of today, I wonder if someday it will be the clutter of the past. If anyone will wonder who it was that saved each little piece. Instead of the past, I have my present, filled with chaos and clutter and love. Bits and pieces of a life that is imperfect, but that is full. Why not offer the opportunity to others to enter our cluttered world of love. Maybe we can offer something special to someone else.

Thank-you, Lord, for the clutter of my life. May I see each stack as a beautiful snap-shot of Your love and bountiful blessings. Help me to get rid of that which hinders, but to realize that clutter comes with life. You have given me so much. Help me live in today, clutter and all, so that my children will have memories tomorrow. Help us to share our home and our memories with those around us.