We have only been back from our trip a few days, and I am beginning to question whether I should continue to home educate or not. As a home educating mom of my two lilies, it was not always easy for me to block out the voices of the nay Sayers to home education, from family members and friends, school teachers and believers alike came the constant sound of their disapproval (difficult indeed for one who thrives on the good opinions of others). So in the quietness of the morning, I took those loud voices to the Lord, and asked that He would make it clear what I should do and whether or not it was His will for me to educate my little ones.
My time with the Lord was fruitful as He reminded me that during the time we were away, I had spent very little time in His Presence and that the enemy was now finding a foothold in the recesses of my mind to plant doubt and discord. My heart sank, but it was true. So I decided to leave it with the Lord.
While at the breakfast table, as we sat with our plates full of pancakes and syrup, my oldest daughter began a conversation she had with her aunt, who told her that every time she came into the house that the girls were watching television. A feeling of embarrassment swept over me, as I thought of my sisters comment and my daughters poor spelling of one word in particular and began to talk to her about it. You see, things did not end well with my sister, and her criticism of my children though just perhaps at times, grated at the fibre of my being.
To make matters worse I made my daughter cry. I felt like an awful mother, and continued to wonder how I could teach her. Then I asked myself what was all this about? I had been worrying about how I looked to others, I was embarrassed, I was ashamed and I was concerned that I would be judged as a poor teacher, because I let my children watch television and their spelling wasn't that great. But, was this really all about me? Or was it, what was best for my little lilies? So I asked the Lord, direct me. After the church service I went down to get my girls from Sunday School, and it happened that I began to speak to their Sunday School teacher who praised my girls, and I began to speak to her about what program her mother had used for her and her siblings when they were being home schooled.
It was through that conversation with the Sunday School teacher that I felt that I might have to take a good look at our curriculum and how to really teach my girls what they really needed to know. For now I would continue to teach them what we have.
But this mornings scripture also was speaking to my heart and seemed to hold something special just for me. John 15:1-8, I am the true vine... but it was verse 7 that spoke to my heart, 'If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.' What was the secret to knowing what I had to teach my lilies? It was that I had to abide in the vine. What is the secret to homeschooling my lilies? It is that I abide in the vine. Once I abide in him (the vine, Jesus), I can ask what I wished and it will be done. I had forgotten these past weeks to abide in the vine, and I was not producing fruit, but if I remain in the vine, I will bear much fruit and my lilies will be blessed with the best education that God would give them.
Lord, help me to abide in the vine and prune me as you will so that I might produce fruit. In Jesus name, Amen.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A Caribbean Thanksgiving
Reggae and Calypso music played in the background, as we gathered in my sisters home to enjoy our Thanksgiving meal with family, it was great!
Thirteen to fifteen of my family got together for the first time in many a year to join me in the celebration of our Thanksgiving meal. A few were unable to attend the meal, but came later for the family photo's.
I shared the reasons we celebrated Thanksgiving in Canada, and one of the things that I liked to do as we sat around the table. And asked each person shared one thing they were thankful for. Several of the children and to my surprise the teens shared what they were thankful for, my sister Jennifer who has MS was very thankful for life and family, as were we all. Everyone was well fed in fact many said that they were stuffed. LOL! I am glad that I did not have Turkey. Hahahaha!
Though it was not all perfect. There were several hiccups and frustrating moments during our time together, and some even felt the need to sabotage the evening with their antics and personal grievances. I gave God thanks for the many blessings that I did have. Like having my sister Vonnette attend. I had not seen her in twenty-nine years, and we got along well. I thank God that I was able to take pictures and give Him the glory, but Thanksgiving was not just about us but about Him.
So salt fish, dumplings, fungi, and goat meat all eaten, not to mention the rice and peas, and curried side dishes. Salads and all kinds of treats, the meal was topped off with Carrot cake not Caribbean but a much welcomed treat, all were well fed and a happy Thanksgiving was had by all.
Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!
Thirteen to fifteen of my family got together for the first time in many a year to join me in the celebration of our Thanksgiving meal. A few were unable to attend the meal, but came later for the family photo's.
I shared the reasons we celebrated Thanksgiving in Canada, and one of the things that I liked to do as we sat around the table. And asked each person shared one thing they were thankful for. Several of the children and to my surprise the teens shared what they were thankful for, my sister Jennifer who has MS was very thankful for life and family, as were we all. Everyone was well fed in fact many said that they were stuffed. LOL! I am glad that I did not have Turkey. Hahahaha!
Though it was not all perfect. There were several hiccups and frustrating moments during our time together, and some even felt the need to sabotage the evening with their antics and personal grievances. I gave God thanks for the many blessings that I did have. Like having my sister Vonnette attend. I had not seen her in twenty-nine years, and we got along well. I thank God that I was able to take pictures and give Him the glory, but Thanksgiving was not just about us but about Him.
So salt fish, dumplings, fungi, and goat meat all eaten, not to mention the rice and peas, and curried side dishes. Salads and all kinds of treats, the meal was topped off with Carrot cake not Caribbean but a much welcomed treat, all were well fed and a happy Thanksgiving was had by all.
Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!
Friday, October 9, 2009
What a week!
This has been a long week, both the Lilies have been sick again and we have been house-bound. I was going a little stir-crazy so by Thursday I had to get out of the house, so the girls and I got ready and headed down the road and went shopping (yes, it was most therapeutic). We had a blast and when that was said and done we went to visit my other sister who has MS and we had a fantastic time with her and my niece and nephew and had a good laugh. God knew how much we needed this time together, and how much I needed adult conversation. So our plans for this week were lost, but we are still having fun.
Our Canadian Thanksgiving is in a few days, and we are planning a Thanksgiving meal to share with my family, however, we will not be having the traditional turkey dinner, but we are going to do it Caribbean style. I am looking forward to having the family around and be able to share a little of what we do in Canada.
God is my refuge and help a very present help in times of trouble, and these last few weeks have not been without their trouble, I give God thanks for all those who have kept my family in prayer, and thank God for His ever present help during those times. He has met me on several occasions here, and has reminded me of the walk that I started on over 30 years ago and the path that I have been on in my marriage, and not forget the wonderful relationship that He has given me with my children. Despite it all, I have been on a journey of self discovery, and He has not disappointed me.
He has been leading me through some of the dark places of my past, and into His light. He is forever faithful and will not abandon me, He is with me even when I feel alone and wondering what on earth I am doing, He is there, He never fails. No, He never fails.
Peace!
Our Canadian Thanksgiving is in a few days, and we are planning a Thanksgiving meal to share with my family, however, we will not be having the traditional turkey dinner, but we are going to do it Caribbean style. I am looking forward to having the family around and be able to share a little of what we do in Canada.
God is my refuge and help a very present help in times of trouble, and these last few weeks have not been without their trouble, I give God thanks for all those who have kept my family in prayer, and thank God for His ever present help during those times. He has met me on several occasions here, and has reminded me of the walk that I started on over 30 years ago and the path that I have been on in my marriage, and not forget the wonderful relationship that He has given me with my children. Despite it all, I have been on a journey of self discovery, and He has not disappointed me.
He has been leading me through some of the dark places of my past, and into His light. He is forever faithful and will not abandon me, He is with me even when I feel alone and wondering what on earth I am doing, He is there, He never fails. No, He never fails.
Peace!
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