Dear Friends,
Sometimes when I am talking to discouraged mothers — and, let’s face it, we are ALL discouraged from time to time, and some of us more than others — I want to show them their future. Of course, I can’t do that, but I can show you the “future” that has happened to some of us “oldsters” who have actually made it to the other side of home schooling. From time to time I would like to feature one of those families — for your encouragement and blessing.
The phrase that kept coming to me, as I labored day after day in this difficult vineyard, was one that my mother said to me numerous times as I was growing up. She would say to me that I should “keep on keepin’ on.” That is translated to mean: Keep on washing the dishes and scrubbing the dirty floors; keep on sitting on the couch with your kids, reading book after book; keep on faithfully disciplining for rebellion and laziness; keep on teaching them to set the table beautifully, and to mow the lawn uncomplainingly; keep on sitting up late with that one who wants to pour out his or her heart when no one else is near; keep on teaching them of the God of Creation Who will never leave them nor forsake them…. Do what has to be done, with energy and strength from God, and an uncomplaining, joyful spirit.
My Mother was a godly woman, so it would have been understood that my daily Quiet Time, and my weekly Lord’s Day would be non-negotiables, and the secrets to being able to “Keep On.” But, the daily grind is often just that — a daily grind. We MUST realize that each job has its “daily grind” aspect. I envied my husband going to work, and he envied my job here at home.
BUT, it was all worth it!! That is the bottom line. Below is a picture of my gang in May of 2009. It is the last time we had a full picture taken, so there are some babies missing. But I thought I’d like you to see the fruit of all those years so that you could take heart for your own precious clan. All of my children and their spouses are Christians, and they are all home schooling these precious kids. May God be praised!
You can't see everybody here...but it is the best I can do right now! P.