A Great Book

I just today finished reading a great book. It's called, "When you Rise Up" by R.C. Sproul, Jr. It's a book on homeschooling and why homeschool and gives defenses for homeschooling. Now, for those of you who don't homeschool, don't stop reading. Although this book provides biblical reasons for homeschooling, I think it would benefit all readers on raising Godly children.

I have to admit, I have been really discouraged lately with...life, maybe? I've been struggling with being a mom, with getting ready to homeschool, with the fall/winter season approaching-which seems to be my "depressed" time of the year, etc.. I was just needing some encouragement, so I picked up some books to encourage me. And, this book was just what I needed to pick me up and set my feet on solid ground again.

The Lord has been showing me alot lately. I hate to admit it, but I realize that, at least lately, I have been seeing my children as a burden, a hindrance to doing what I want to be doing, and a distraction. I have so much to accomplish each day, and I realize I do (housework, cleaning, organizing, etc..) instead of spending time with my children. In essence, I am telling them that they are a burden and I am better off if they went out and played and left me alone. And, some days I even feel this! I know we all need time off, and there is nothing wrong with this. But, my bible says that my children are a blessing. "When we see spending time with them {our children} as a burden, rather than a joy, we see further evidence of how encultured we have become. Children, biblically speaking, are a blessing from God. And we ought to seek out time with blessings from God, not plot out ways to avoid them, or hand them over to others." (from "When You Rise Up)

I was convicted and encouraged and spurred on. I, literally, finished this book thinking how excited I am to start schooling/spending time with my kids again. Sometimes we all grow weary of parenting, especially when we homeschool and our kids are with us all the time, but God has strength for us. He who called us will equip us.

"We are called to obedience, and are not to take that sufficient grace for granted. The point isn't so much, 'Bear up under suffering,' as it is 'be obedient.' When we trust God in obedience, he gives the grace we so desperately need." (from the same book)

...more from this book later....