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?



There For A Reason

Years ago we somehow acquired a box set of cards to memorizes scriptures from The Message. I don't think either of us have ever really used it but we both intend to and somehow it's even missing the week 2 card. Anyway, since Malinda is now memorizing scripture (and trying to use it against others...we'll have to work on that) I figured I should probably give it a whirl myself.

So, week one was Deuteronomy 7:9 "Know this: God, your God, is God indeed, a God you can depend upon. He keeps his covenant of loyal love with those who love him and observe his commandments for a thousand generations." (The Message)There is so much to be said about this scripture alone but it was when I read the chapter in it's entirety that I really got excited.

I am not sure if it's the lesson learned or the simplicity of it all that excites me more! As I read Deuteronomy 7 I see it's a powerful chapter full of instructions and encouragement from the Father to His children as they prepare to enter the land He had promised them. So many lessons to be learned but the simplest most practical lesson, in my opinion, is found in verse 22 "The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you." (NIV) The Message says it this way, God, your God, will get rid of these nations, bit by bit. You won't be permitted to wipe them out all at once lest the wild animals take over and overwhelm you.

There are so many time that I know I am where I am supposed to be in life. It may look like chaos and a complete mess to anyone else but I KNOW it's exactly where I am supposed to be, yet I get frustrated when Father God doesn't take care of all the hurdles in my way. I get distracted and begin to feel forgotten, abandoned, duped by God. I mean after all, if He wants me in a particular season wouldn't He remove the very things keeping me from living in my dream home? I mean I get it that He is in control and everything is in His timing yada yada yada. BUT this verse gives me an explanation as to why sometimes, He moves slower than makes sense to me or anyone else!

It's because He LOVES me! He is protecting me from an unknown danger. He knows that in the absence of some obstacles other more challenging obstacles will swoop in and possibly overtake me. Yet, again, everything He does, and I mean EVERYTHING He does is because He loves me. Sometimes those obstacles that seem so big and scary and really should have been dealt with already is actually still there, to protect me.

So, I guess I either trust Him or I don't.....my choice won't affect His love for me. It only affects how well I am able to receive it.