You've Got A Friend??? Maybe??

I have not been to church for several weeks because of a recent serious illness, which required hospitalization.  Our faith is an essential part of our lives so not going to church eventually takes its toll on my spiritual health.  God is good and His timing is impeccable!  Today, our pastor gave a sermon on loneliness, an emotion I have been dealing with since being hospitalized.

Getting sick, and being hospitalized was an eye opening experience.  I could no longer take care of myself or my household.  ALL of my responsibilities fell unto my husband's already busy shoulder's.  We were fortunate that I did not become ill on a week he was traveling.  Without  having family, in the state where we live,  is extremely difficult.  It is a parent’s worst nightmare.  Only the LORD knows how we would have managed logistically.

Being as sick as I was, was awful.  Long days, and longer nights gave me hours to think and pray.  It was in those days that I realized that we had not yet put down roots in the community in which we live.  There is almost no one here to pick up the phone and say:  "I really need you", "Can you come down?".  I had managed to make it on to the prayer list for our church so I did receive a visit from our Pastor, and a married couple from the ministry team.  I am extremely grateful for their prayers.

Once I realized that there was no one else to visit or to check in I wondered what is wrong with me?  What have I done or not done that I have not formed bonds in this community?  There are more questions than I have answers.  The only thing I know how to do in this situation is pray.  And that is exactly what I began to do, pray.

Today is Sunday and I was well enough to get up and go to church with the family.  As I looked over the sermon note sheet I saw that our Pastor was going to be preaching on loneliness.  I was grateful that God was opening a door.  I knew that I could take Preacher's words and express my feelings in our Sunday school class.  

As I expressed in my opening, "God Is God!"  Only God would know that I would share my feelings on loneliness in a class with other women who were feeling the same emotions.  God was instrumental in bringing together people who needed to meet one another.

It is often very easy to be dismayed by the actions or non-actions of other people.  I, we, may feel alone in our adopted home but God may have grander things in store for us.  The one thing I often forget is that I am NEVER alone.  God is always with me.  I have never been alone, I will never be alone.  He is  always with us, no matter what!

What's Wrong With Higher Expectations?

As a homeschooling mom I do not understand all of the fuss over Common Core?  One of the major factors in deciding to homeschool my daughters was the "No Child Left Behind" initiative.  A standard, intended to level the educational playing field, failed miserably on a national scale.  The basic principles of education have been replaced by standardized testing and political correctness.  Educational standards have been dumbed down to a  degree that parents should be legitimately concerned for their children's academic future.

I am shocked at the negative reaction of both school systems and parents regarding the implementation of Common Core standards.  Lately, I have seen an increase in TV commercials promoting the positive aspects of Common Core. On the other hand however, I have seen more negative press, bashing every aspect of Common Core.  My question is: "Why"!  What is wrong with implementing higher standards for our schools and our children?  

When my oldest daughter was in public school she had gym class twice as much as she had computer science. Children were reading biographies about New York Yankee players or Hollywood actors and calling is language arts.  In the state that I now live there is debate on wether or not "times tables" should be part of a child's basic education.  How far have we fallen in a generation of educational expectations?  When did we decide that “fair” is good enough for our children?  I know that “fair” was not good enough for my children.  No Child Left Behind is I why homeschool.

I am not so naive to assume that everyone can homeschool.  Some women absolutely can not homeschool, some families do not want to educate their children at home.  US families now have a chance to give their children a better education.  Common Core may not be perfect but it is a step up from the system that is now in place.  Expecting more out of our children is not a punishment, it is a duty as parents.  

As parents, we have an obligation to improve our children's future.  Challenge and hard work instills values and a sense of self-worth.  Both are qualities missing from today's Generation Y.  If we want to better the future of this country, the lives of our children and grandchildren, parents need not be afraid of the extra effort needed to make positive change in our children's lives. 

Keeping Score

For those of you who don’t know me, I am a Christian.  I am passionate about my faith because Christ has changed my life in so many wonderful ways.  When I look back at my life I see my self as two people.  The first Lisa, is the Lisa before I had a relationship with Christ.  The way I see my self today is as a Christ follower.  I have a faith, not a religion.  Faith means so much more than religion.

One of the principle tenants of the Christian faith is forgiveness.  Christ died so that we could all be forgiven for our sins.  Now for the big revelation, no pun intended; I am a sinner!  I have done so many things wrong, in my life, that I have lost count.  I have made mistakes that I hope my children will not repeat.  Here's the “but”.....nothing I have done or will ever do is too big for Christ to forgive.  HE, Christ, does not keep score.  I am not on a heavenly black list because I committed multiple sins.

The old me lived a life of un-forgiveness, I was a score-keeper.  I kept mental tallies, in my head, until my anger consumed me.  My anger and resentment made me a different person.  It is very hard to live, day to day, trying to keep up with everyone who ever committed a grievance against me.  I forgot that we are all sinners.  My ego allowed me to look past my own issues and right into someone else's sin.

Most would think that my transition to Christianity would be seamless.  It has taken me almost 7 years to get to the place I am now.  I went from a not-so-nice person to being a joy filled woman. Unfortunately, becoming a Christian is harder than one would think.  I have lost friends and others close to me.  Those, who do not understand my life, judge me rather than support me.  The most hurtful days are when I am presented with "tally lists" of my former life.  Recounting every mistake and misstep I have made, since I was 18 is unesscessary.   I have not forgotten the past, reminding me does not make me more of a sinner. 

I have spent years agonizing over my past mistakes.   I have asked my Savior for forgiveness and I have been forgiven.  My tally list has been cleared without judgement or scorn.  My heavenly Father loves me as I am.  Scarred, broken, and bruised, there is nothing I can do to separate myself from Him.

 

“I Am, I Can, I Ought, I Will”

“I Am, I Can, I Ought, I Will”.  Simple words penned by an amazing woman.  Where has Charlotte Mason been our entire homeschooling life?  Eight simple words I have come to cherish, for myself and my family.  For those of you who may not know Miss Mason, she was the woman credited with founding the homeschool movement, in England, at the turn of the 20 century.
This summer made the decision to return to the basics of home education because of the many difficulties my youngest daughter faces.  Paige, who is adopted, has had severe challenges since birth.  She is extremely smart, but plagued by ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, OCD, Anxiety, and now potentially a mood disorder.  CM seemed to be the obvious selection for both of my girls.
As the girls have gotten deeper into the CM routine,  they are learning that CM is more than a curriculum.  CM is a way of life.  Miss Mason’s principle’s are grounded in faith, family, and a responsibility to self.  CM instills in children a work ethic that is missing in today’s society.  Children are taught values and respect, qualities that are rarely seen in so many young people.
I feel that I am learning as much as my girls.  When I  see Miss Mason’s words:  ”I Am, I Can, I Ought, I Will”, I think about the things God has intended for me.  God does not give us challenges that we can not handle.  Lately, there have been days where there have been more tears and tantrums than laughter.  Days when we don’t know what the doctor will say about our youngest daughter.  Weeks when I don’t know if I am on the right path.
When those days rear their ugly head I think, ”I Am, I Can, I Ought, I Will”.  If Miss Mason felt strongly enough to give these words of encouragement, to children, I certainly can follow them as a 21st century mom.  Thank you Miss Mason for opening our eyes to a whole new world.

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