Homeschooling Amy

Schooling your children at home is both challenging and a whirlwind of crazy ups and downs full of fun times and tantrums. I love it....most days. There is so much growing and learning going on around here and the best part is- my kids are learning some things too.

In the last few weeks I have learned new things about Lewis & Clark, the physical maps of the U.S.A. and how Sam plans to take over the world with his Legos and toy cow. Perhaps the most difficult lessons have come as Malinda and I read her book for Bible Class. It's a book highlighting heroes of our faith. People who dared to believe God and take Him at His word. People who gave their lives to serving Him.

Today, we finished reading about Amy Carmichael. A woman who left her home in Ireland and arrived in India at the age of 27- never to return home but live and die in India taking care of hundreds of children rescued from a life of temple prostitution. When a young woman wrote to Amy and asked her what life as a missionary was like, she responded by saying

"Missionary life is simply a chance to die."

 

 

I can't help but think....shouldn't this be true for all of us? Unfortunately we get so comfortable and focused on our own lives and our own comforts that we forget that there is a world of hurting people all around us and far away. I am blessed to have been brought up by two parents who weren't content to live a small life. They dared to peak over the fence and saw what was beyond our borders. It's one of those values I insist on sharing with my children. I would be so sad if they grow up with a care for the rest of our world...but I digress.

 

Lately, I have had my own personal struggles. (I don't like to share about my personal life a whole lot so I know that might come as a shock to you.)  Struggles that have found me spending far too much time looking inward rather than outward. Far too much time wasted on one person and not invested in the world around me. I think that is one of the biggest annoyances of all this mess I have been dealing with lately. The time, the energy, the focus, the passion all wasted. As I continue to plod along and feel wholeness again I desire to die. Die to myself- die to dreams- die to plans and live as if I believe God's word.

 

I am fully aware that I do not have to live in some exotic land to die to self and live out God's plan but I have to ask....am living a missionary's life?

 

I am reminded of a video my dad posted recently. It was something like.....

 



 

Kind of makes me think.....

 

As much as I love my life right now.....I have to remember it's not my life to love. I surrendered my life a long time ago....or did I?