Global Warming Fears

Yesterday, my brother called and shared with me that he'd read something that really scared him last week. It was an exposition about global warming. He explained that it had huge implications for where we live and for the United States. He also explained that none of it was new information, it was simply and succinctly reiterated and it caused him to fear for us--for the world.

I responded that I know global warming is real, but I can't get lost worrying about it, because I realize I can't change it personally. I consume the least energy I can, recycle, tried to compost (and failed this summer), don't drive unless I need to... It's very easy for me to get taken over by fears. I think it is for most of us. For the past year, I've struggled with our home. I thought we were buying a solid house that needed only easy cosmetic work like painting--little did I know how wrong I was! We've worked so hard to fix this house and we've still more to do. At the heart of it all, I think I struggled with the feeling that we'd tried so hard to do things "right", but in the end there were so many more glitches than we expected. I've been caught on the "what if we hadn't purchased this house?" instead of accepting it and reminding myself of the prayers and how everything came together. I need to trust God in the easy and hard things. I've been amazed at my heart and what's been in it. I had finally settled much of my fear after Hurricane Sandy, but it comes back so quickly.

A good friend of mine said something very wise to me last week. She mentioned that God brings people into our lives that are easy to live with and ones that are hard. The hard ones are just as important. God uses them to grow us, just as he also uses the relationships that are easy. I think I often only want the easy people and the easy things in life to grow me. But, the trials, suffering, and people I conflict with are important. So, are my fears. I have two choices with my fears--to dwell and cave or to turn to God with them.

Although My brother's comments weren't intended to overly upset me and they seem benign, I knew I needed to come back to God's Word. I felt like I needed to open up a commentary a good friend gave me two years ago by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones this morning. I found this quote:

"The thing that is being forgotten by the vast majority of people is that the really important fact in the world today is God's activity--what God is doing, not what men are doing." p. 2 God's Way of Reconciliation

God is in control, not man. I need to remember not to get mired down in fear, but rather turn to God and trust Him and his plan. We prayed about where we would live. We've trusted God for provision every step of the way. It's easy for me to fall into the trap and think that we are the ones who are providing by our efforts. But, I know it is God who is providing. Our efforts do matter and we are to be good, faithful stewards of the abilities and gifts He's given us.

So, today, I'm going to enjoy my children, the ability to sit down to breakfast, lunch, and dinner with them. I'm going to be wise and purchase the food we need when I go shopping. I had no idea what the past year and a half would hold when it began. Yet, this is where we are now. Sometimes I am surprised by my weakness and propensity to doubt. I need to remember the truth.

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Post script... I'm sorry if this post seems rambling and jumpy, it is all the thoughts running through my head this morning.

Missing Pieces

The other day I was discussing a book with my mom and explaining to her my concern about how "blame" is cast upon the child in the story. My mom commented about how deeply I read and consider what is written. Sometimes I wonder if I go overboard. Am I questioning too much? Am I overreacting? Why am I reacting this way? I come back to knowing that God wired me this way. But, I also reflect on how God has guided my path through the maze of books I've read over the past few years and what I've learned from the books themselves and from reading them. Recently, I read a book that troubled me. The book I finished reading was Guiltless Living by Ginger Hubbard. When I began reading it, I found myself puzzled and then disconcerted. And in the end, I cried. But, I cried for a different reason than one might suspect. I'd like to explain. I did not read Ms. Hubbard's previous book “ Don't Make Me Count to Three ”, but I knew from f...

listening or rather not listening to directions...

This week has been very eye opening. I am observing and noticing what I need to learn in order to be a better homeschooling mom and teacher and what my daughter needs to learn to be a good homeschooling student. My weakness when I was a teacher in a first grade classroom was not understanding how small concepts had to be broken down--and I lost my patience very quickly. This week, in particular today, I am seeing how detailed my directions need to be. I am going to be working very consciously and deliberately on this. On the other hand, I realized that my daughter does not listen! Wowsers! In a classroom, Autumn listens very well. She is a compliant child and very influenced by peer pressure and conformity. So, she listens along with everyone else and follows directions. But, at home, it's just Autumn and maybe Sami and Mommy. Very, very different! I had forgotten that most of kindergarten in the public schools is not focused on teaching students academic and learning co...

Writing A Homeschool Teacher Resume

I'm helping a friend who's switching jobs write a resume. She hasn't written one in years, so this is something new. I began working on her resume, but then stopped to write my own because I thought it might be helpful. Being a homeschool teacher may not seem to many like an occupation or career, but it is. I used the combined form of resume for myself. I began with the basic information, then moved on to strengths (the combined skills/experience part), education, Occupational Experience, then Related Experience, Certifications, Computer Skills, and mentioned at the end... References Available Upon Request. Sometimes homeschooling parents have to reenter the workplace because of family changes and needs. How could you express what you've been doing in a way that's acceptable for a resume? Well, here's my take on it... Teacher, Homeschool ...

love to paint

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