I get pressured "advice" to put my kids in public school, send the little kids on the handicapped bus everyday and other such suggestions that seem to make more sense on the outside, considering my health. However, we don't make family decisions based on what is easier, what makes "sense," or even what we personally want. We aim to line our decisions up on these important things with God and how He wants us to live. Though we are imperfect in this, we do try, and aren't afraid to go against the grain to do it.
We've had the roughest year last year with homeschooling in all of our 11-12 years including the year 6 of us were diagnosed with Lyme. All 3 big kids have struggled and fallen behind some this last year for many reasons, including their own personal responsibility, but ultimately because I've been too sick to follow up and do what I normally would do to keep them all accountable. My 2 littlest would be in kindergarten now, if I wasn't struggling with my health and could reliably do more than just cook meals. From an outside perspective, public school may seem the solution. But, it's not the solution for us unless we are led to it by God, not simply practicality. When we have weighed that option, all indicators scream "NO." We have to answer for the stewardship of these children. So, we have to follow God's lead.
I love this devotional, especially the last paragraph. We sometimes do feel that while other families are going to ball games, enjoying family vacations, and in other ways "living" normally, all we have done for years now is survive and wait for the next turn of events. The reminder of promise for simply abiding in Him is encouraging today. There are promises for this difficult life and the choices we've made that haven't been the easiest. It's not for us to choose our paths. I'd never have learned this lesson had I not been so sick for so long. There have been so many lessons...
| | October 2, 2013
Abiding
“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1 John 2:28) There is nothing sophisticated or subtle about this Greek word,meno, used many times in the New Testament. The various shades of “remaining” or “staying” are easily understood from the context, and always focus on a consistent and even permanent situation. So it is in our text. The Christian is expected to “stay” in a relationship with the Lord Jesus—implying both a permanent relationship and a “normal” relationship. We are to abide in Christ so completely that we would be like a branch growing out of the vine—thus making “fruit” possible (John 15:4-5). We are to continue in His Word so thoroughly that our prayers will be in synchronization with His will (John 15:7) and our behavior will be in synchronization with His commandments (1 John 3:24). The steadfast “dwelling” in Christ promises to produce a confidence in our eternal relationship—the word choice especially emphasizes freedom in speaking, an unreservedness in speech. As Peter freely spoke at Pentecost (Acts 2:29) and the disciples received boldness to speak the Word of God (Acts 4:31), so our “plainness of speech” (2 Corinthians 3:12) in witnessing sets the stage for our “boldness in the day of judgment” (1 John 4:17). Ultimately, of course, the lifestyle of abiding in Christ while on this earth builds the sanctified relationship with Christ that we are to enjoy for eternity. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:35-36). HMM III |
