Loaves & Fish

Recently, after an especially trying a week, I "narrated" (that sounds better than saying I unloaded, doesn't it?) my woes to my husband. In response to my exasperation, he held out his arms and hugged me. I, of course, was not done narrating as he tried to console me so in a last ditch effort to be the comforter he replied, "You are supposed to be like loaves and fish." At the time I didn't realize the wisdom in his words but since have reflected on them.

Be like loaves and fish...And so I began to think often about this phrase.

The most obvious thing about loaves and fish is that they multiplied. So was my husband asking for more of me? That seemed like an odd request since I had just shared about feeling pulled in so many directions. Then it dawned on me. Yes, the loaves and fish multiplied but not until they were in God's hands! This observation struck me deeply. Here I go again trying to do it all myself when He just wants us to place ourselves in His hands.

We are weak but He is strong.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
This year I have a daunting task ahead of me (at least I feel like I do). I will be educating an elementary, middle, and high school aged child. That is some pretty big gaps. My prayer is that this year my children will continue to grow in the ownership of their education but most importantly that they will grown in the knowledge of their Creator. I am human so I will falter, get side-tracked, and fail...but I am reminded that I will be like "loaves and fish." He will supply all my needs.

Are you ready?

That's a daunting statement....Are you ready? I begin to feel overwhelmed just at the thought. No one is really ready! That is how I felt when the Lord began pressing on me that it was time to start homeschooling. Sure I want to be obedient to His will. Yes I want to serve Him, but are you sure I am ready?

I remember vividly that period of time when the Lord said it was time to homeschool. Three of my four children were in public school and my fourth was just a toddler at the time. He started with Lauryn. She was about to go in to middle school and both my husband and I felt there was something better. Then my husband suggested we look into homeschooling. There was definitely an adjustment but more importantly there was such a tremendous blessing! The following year, we decided that our third child should come home and a year later we did something incredibly radical...We brought our oldest son home during his senior year of high school! Now you would think he would have hated us for doing it and that the whole year was such a catastrophe but that was simply not the case. The Lord provided each and every step of the way. My son was thrilled to come home and I can only thank God for His perfect timing and His provisions.

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength..."

That was one of my father's favorite verses and I can see why. I love the part about renewing our strength. As we prepare lessons, taxi children, make meals, do laundry, clean house, serve in church, etc. we become tired. I know I do. I simply run out of fuel. How perfectly He is to provides for us. Write down why you started homeschooling, journal some of your favorite moments, and don't forget to go back and read them. That is an incredible source of renewal and strength for me. Each time I do I am reminded of His hand on our family!