Submission ~ Key to A Contented Home

Saturday we attended the daughter’s wedding of a dear long-time friend. (How quickly children grow up and leave home to make their own home!) As the ceremony progressed, my thoughts went back to my own wedding and the vows my husband and I exchanged some 42 years ago (next week!). I’m always eager to hear the wedding vows of a new bride and groom. He promised to love, cherish, and lead; she promised to love, cherish, and submit to his leadership. The submissive aspect is where women who truly understand God’s design for marriage begin a journey that is both challenging and rewarding.

Our culture doesn’t understand that. By and large, there’s a misunderstanding as to what submission is. Titus 2 speaks of encouraging the younger women (and we older women need the encouragement as well) to be submissive to their own husbands. It isn’t that the man is smarter or better in any way. It’s simply a way of providing orderliness and leadership. Every entity needs leadership, and God gave the man that position in the family. He knows how marriage functions best.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. (Ephesians 5:22-24)

This Mort Kunstler print of Jackson and Lee is hanging in my daughter Laura’s room (the bedroom she had here at home before she was married). She was once a Civil War enthusiast, and this print was purchased as a high school graduation gift. It helps me understand the concept of submission—General Stonewall Jackson in submission to General Robert E. Lee.

The Biblical word for submission is a military term, hupatasso, meaning “to arrange in order under.” General Jackson was under General Lee in military order. General Lee was not smarter or better than General Jackson. In fact, when Jackson lost his arm from friendly fire shortly before his death, Lee was reported to have said, “Jackson has lost his left arm, and I have lost my right arm.” Stonewall was invaluable to Lee. Stonewall was a remarkable military strategist, and Lee depended on him for analysis and advice. Wives are just as invaluable to their husbands.

Leadership and submission is God’s design for marriage to picture the relationship of Christ and and the Church. It's the design for an effective home in living out the gospel and making it believable to a skeptical world.

Saturday’s young newlywed couple understand that. Congratulations, Autumn and Jason!

Painting ~ Signing The Register 1920, Edmund Blair Leighton 1852-1922

Wikimedia Commons public domain

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Today I reflect on simple thoughts and simple pleasures. My leads are somewhat similar to others in The Simple Woman's Daybook group, yet a bit different as well. 

A picture to share... 
An antique teapot Elizabeth gave me a few years ago with teacups that belonged to my mother. She and a friend had special times of conversation with these particular cups. I've done the same.

Outside my window... 
Robins looking for worms in a freshly mowed lawn. Squirrels playing catch, up and down and around the trees.

Noticing the sound of...
Chirping birds, chattering squirrels. 

Thankful...    
That my daughters' families can spend some together this weekend.

Thinking...      
That I wish my daughters weren't living so far apart. Distance is no friend to families.

Learning...  

That Captain D's cole slaw has as many calories as one of his yummy breadsticks. I had baked tilapia and passed up a breadstick for cole slaw. Found out there's only 10 calories difference as I tallied my calories when I got home. Now, I know there's more nutritional value in cole slaw, but since I'm a bread lover, I'll opt for the breadstick next time!
 

Around the house.... 

My Beloved cleaned and scrubbed the back porch and everything on it this week. Looking forward to "eating out" and fresh-air reading as we watch all nature sing God's praise.

From the kitchen...

Sharing a Saturday big breakfast recipe with you today--baked apple pecan pancake with maple syrup. The recipe is a wonderful combination of wholesome goodness, chockfull of apples and chopped pecans. The cinnamon sugar sprinkled on the top gives it a light crunch. I came across this recipe years ago on the back of a pancake mix box (maybe Aunt Jemima), but have tweaked it for myself. I've included the recipe from the box back if you want the quick version. It's really a simple dish to prepare. You can slice the apples the day before, dip them in saltwater, and store them in a ziplock bag overnight for quicker prep in the morning. You'll serve about four with this recipe.

Baked Apple Pecan Pancake  (from scratch)
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon sugar
2 large tart apples, sliced (about 3 cups)
1/4 cup melted margarine
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup sugar (to make cinnamon sugar)

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Saute sliced apples in margarine.
• For pancake mixture: combine flour, milk and salt (do not overmix).
• Add eggs and 1 tsp. sugar.
• Layer in pie plate: apples, pecans, and pancake mixture.
• Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over pancake mixture.
• Bake at 400 degrees until puffy and browned, about 20 minutes.
• Top with honey or syrup, or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Baked Apple Pecan Pancake  (original recipe with boxed mix)
1/3 cup complete pancake mix
1/2 cup water
3 eggs
1 teaspoon sugar
2 large tart sliced apples (about 3 cups sliced)
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon cinnamon & 1/3 cup sugar to make cinnamon sugar

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Saute apples in butter.
• Mix first 4 ingredients together.
• Layer in pie plate: apples, pecans, pancake mixture.
• Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture.
• Bake at 450 degrees until puffy, about 10-12 minutes.

 

From the sewing room...

Altering a dress. Hemming and adding some fabric to change a slit to a kick pleat. 

From the gardens...

Weeded and planted some flowers in the bed by the mailbox. Added two columbine, some variegated vinca, and a couple of wave petunias. For several years we've put lantana in also because it requires so little attention, but this year we planted a barberry bush instead so the bed won't be so bare in the winter. Lantana isn't hardy in our zone, so no more digging up those deep-rooted dead plants in the spring either.  

A thought from my Quiet Time....

We don't learn what our Heavenly Father is like from looking at earthly fathers. No, it's the other way around. We learn what an earthly father should be like by looking at our Heavenly Father.

...I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name  ~ Eph. 3:14-15

Currently reading...

Family Man, Family Leader, by Philip Lancaster, thinking of adding it to our church Book Nook. Sharing a paragraph with you today:

"The home rules the nation." Our national crisis is a consequence of a crisis of the home, and the crisis of the home is a crisis of male leadership. Men have abandoned their calling to be spiritual leaders of their families, to be the builders of Christian character, the teachers of Christian doctrine, and the models of Christ-like faith and virtue. They have abdicated their responsibility to be the guardians of that wellspring of Christian civilization: the Christian family. Because men have forsaken their families, we are losing a civilization.

Expectant Hope

Three friends in our church family have lost loved ones to death this week. There is sadness. Death, indeed, is an enemy. It isn't the way God intended life to be. Yet, unless we're living when Jesus returns for His Church--those who have saving faith in Him--it will needs be our gateway from here to Heaven.

"So shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thess. 4:13-18). Comforting words for many of us when a loved one has passed from this world. Comforting if their hope was in Christ. Death brings sorrow to those who remain; it brings grieving because they are sorely missed. But believers don't sorrow as the world sorrows because of the hope, the confident expectation, that we live forever in the presence of God. And of this God wants us to have full assurance. He doesn't want us to be uninformed of what happens to a believer after death (v.13). When we understand the true impact of a believer's death, it brings that confident expectation; it comforts.

It also brings comfort knowing what will happen to me when I die. I have hope--not a 'hope so' kind of mentality, but a 'confident expectation,' for that is the meaning of the term hope as it is used here. I don't fear death or fear what will happen next. My confident expectation is that when I leave this body I will go to be with God. That expectation can only be based on the belief that Jesus died and rose again (v.14). And I believe that. It's a matter of faith. I will be transported from the caring arms of my family into the caring arms of my Savior, just as these three beloved ones were this week.

And so we comfort each other as loved ones depart, but we also comfort ourselves as we look toward our own farewell. "So shall we ever be with the Lord." Here and now. There and then.

And now let us consider what this glorious condition will be like when we are advanced. Oh, how sweet the prospect of the time when we shall not behold him at a distance, but see him face to face: when he...shall eternally enfold us in the bosom of his glory. How sweet to gaze on that blessed face for aye, and never have a cloud rolling between, and never have to turn one's eyes away to look on a world of weariness and woe! Blest day, when wilt thou dawn? Rise, O unsetting sun! The joys of sense may leave us as soon as they will, for this shall make glorious amends. If to die is but to enter into uninterrupted communion with Jesus, then death is indeed gain, and the black drop is swallowed up in a sea of victory.       ~ C.H. Spurgeon

Painting ~ Promenade a Skagen, Peter Severin Kroyer 1851-1909

Wikimedia Commons public domain

When We've Been Offended

Sharing with you today a bit of my reading from The Quest for Meekness and Quietness of Spirit by Matthew Henry (1662-1714). The subject: when we've been offended....

"In many things we all offend. This truth we have (James 3:2), and it comes in as a reason why we must not be many masters (verse 1). It would help to subdue and moderate our anger at the offenses of others, if we would but consider two things.

"First, that it is incident to human nature to offend. While we are in this world we must not expect to converse with angels, or the spirits of just men made perfect. No, we are obliged to have communication with creatures who are foolish and corrupt, peevish and provoking, and who are all subject to like passions; such as these we must live among, else must we needs go out of the world. And have we not reason then to count upon something or other uneasy and displeasing in all relations and conversations? The best men have their roughnesses and unevennesses in this imperfect state; those who are savingly enlightened, yet knowing but in part have their blind side. The harmony, even of the communion of saints, will sometimes be disturbed with jarring strings. Why then should we be surprised into passion and disquiet when that which gives us the disturbance is no more than what we looked for? Instead of being angry, we should think with ourselves thus: Alas! what could I expect but provocation from corrupt and fallen man? Among such foolish creatures as we are, it must needs be that offences will come; and why should not I have my share of those offences? The consideration of the common infirmity and corruption of mankind should be made use of, not to excuse our own faults to ourselves, which does but take off the edge of our repentance, and is the poor subterfuge of a deceived heart; but to excuse the faults of others, and so take off the edge of our passion and displeasure, and preserve the meekness and quietness of our spirits.

"Second, that it is incident to ourselves, among the rest, to offend. The apostle there puts himself into the number, saying, "We all offend." We offend God; if we say we do not, we deceive ourselves, and yet he bears with us from day to day, and is not extreme to mark what we do amiss, though our debts to him are talents, our brethren's to us but pence. Think then, if God should be as angry with me for every provocation as I am with those about me what would become of me? They are careless in their observance, and perhaps willful in their offence, and am not I so to God? Yea, am not I a thousand times worse? Job said, when his servants were provoking, and he was tempted to be harsh with them, "What then shall I do, when God riseth up? And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?" (Job 31:13-14)

"And are we not enough likewise to offend our brethren? Either we have offended, or may offend; so that we have need that others should bear with us and why should we not bear with them?"

Painting ~ Young Girl Holding a Letter (detail) 1665, Caspar Netscher 1639-1684

Wikimedia Commons public domain

Decision Making

The Youngest Son's Farewell, Adolph Tideman

What a delight to look at the front of the fridge and see children of friends who are growing up, graduating from high school and college, getting married, and having babies! Pictures and announcements and invitations to share in their joy. What a blessing!

Knowing all of them, each is contemplating a decision or has made a decision of one sort or another about God's will. I hope they've asked the right question. The wrong question--What is God's will for my life? The right question--What is God's will? There's a vast difference in the questions.

The wrong question--What is God's will for my life?-- has me as the focus. My life. My individual, personalized plan. There's a tendency to be concerned about ourselves and how everything affects us or applies to us. Surely, it's a good thing to know what God wants us to do in the big and small of life. We do want the best God has for us. Isn't the best place to be in the center of God's will? Isn't that where we'll find greatest contentment and happiness? But it's still really all about us.

The right question--What is God's will?-- has God as the focus. God's will. He gave us His will in His Word. If we focus on God and are continually in His Word, we'll begin to understand His will more clearly. And as we step into the light of His Word and walk in His ways, we begin to live out His will--for every follower of Jesus Christ.

It's the BIG things in life that we tend to think more specifically about God's will--Where should we go to college? Who should we marry? What job should we take? Where should we live? Should we move? We want something on the radar screen, specifically for us. But if we're living in the light of His Word, there can be several choices for us--all in the realm of His righteousness and moral will.

What job should I take, for example? In understanding the whole of Scripture, God's will for me is to be a keeper of the home, a nurturer of my children, a wife who does her husband good, a Titus 2 woman, especially to my daughters, but to other young women as well. Therefore, my job radiates from my home. I wouldn't have much time or energies for marketplace employment. But on the other hand, there are other considerations as well, all within the realm of God's purposes in His Word. My children are married, so I have some available time for other "ministries of reconciliation." And that could be a myriad of righteous choices. I might have time to join a quilting group for the furtherance of the gospel. Then on the other hand, my husband may want me more available to be his helper. And so the decisions go.

Thinking and living out the wisdom of God's Word. Knowing and doing the will of God. It can be confusing--if we don't ask the right question.

Painting ~ The Youngest Son's Farewell 1866, Adolph Tidemand 1814-1876

via Wikimedia Commons public domain

The Beauty of a Modest Heart

Warm weather is here. It was nice to sit out on the back porch for a while last evening and do a little reading. But with the coming on of warm weather is also the coming off of clothes for many of the young (and not so young) gals. I was reminded that summer is pretty nigh here as I was out running errands. Sometimes it's just plain difficult to try to pay at the check-out counter when you don't want to look below their chin level. We have very little modesty left in our current culture, very little embarrassment of what is showing, very little awareness that just maybe other people don't really want to see what's being displayed.

The sad thing is that it's not just in the marketplace, it's in the church pew as well. Sometimes I pick where I sit based on the exposure in my field of vision. It ought not to be this way. Church, especially, ought to be a place where our Christian brothers don't have to face these temptations.

Modest dress is the outward expression of a modest heart, as we're told in I Timothy 2:9-10:

"... likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works."

Heart attitudes are revealed in what we wear because behind what we wear is the why of what we wear. What we are wearing or not wearing, displaying or not displaying, emphasizing or not emphasizing, is an expression of our heart.

Some would say, "I'll wear whatever I please." That's the point--it's all about me. Have they considered the people who have to look at them? Probably not with that attitude. Some would say, "I just think this outfit is cute." Naivety wrecks many a gal. Some would say, "I like to make the guys look." In fact, lust is posh and pushed by the culture. People are topsy-turvy confused, and immorality is rampant as result.

But for a follower of Christ, it's different--if the heart is in tune with His word. We're told that modesty "is proper for women who profess godliness." We make the gospel believable when how we dress reflects inward godliness. This is a profession of our faith. This is how people are convinced that what we say we believe is reality. This is the beauty of a modest heart.

A woman's greatest loveliness comes through a modest heart, and a modest heart expresses itself in modest behavior, modest dress, modest reactions, and modest attitudes. ~ Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Nancy spent a few days on this subject on Revive Our Hearts. If you'd like to listen in, just click the image below. She'd love to have you drop in.

Thoughts for a New Mother

Young Mother in the Garden ~ Mary Cassatt

I mentioned the baby shower that I attended on Saturday of the daughter of a dear friend. This will be this young gal's first baby. I had been asked to bring a brief devotional and thought I'd share some of those thoughts with you today, as you "listen in."

~~~~~~~~~

Elizabeth, you've physically changed since the last time I saw you. Things are about to change even more! Your life will never be the same after a few short weeks.Your heart will never be the same. Your purposes will never be the same. Every day will never be the same! Much will change, and I’m sure you and your husband are looking forward to it with eagerness.

At our house we’ve been going through boxes of family pictures this past month, putting together photo books for our own daughters’ birthdays, both born in May—30 & 33 years ago. My, how the memories have flooded my heart! I came across their going-home gowns in the cedar chest. (I had them with me to show.) I’m sure your mother remembers your and your sister's going-home outfits. Maybe she still has them. Maybe you’ve already picked out some sweet gown for your little girl to wear home. I’m sure she’ll look absolutely darling!

You think about her a lot, don’t you? You wonder what she looks like. What she’ll be like.

I imagine your heart is excited to meet this new little life inside you, to touch her hand, her cheek, to have her eyes meet yours.

You have a lot of joy awaiting you, … but there will be some difficulties, as well. Both of you will make some poor decisions, some wrong choices. You’ll have some heartache. Most of the mothers here probably experienced it. (ALL?) I did. Your mother did. Sometime over tea, ask her about it. She can be your dearest Titus 2 friend, if you let her be.

Which brings me to a few thoughts to share with you.

I’m not looking back and telling you all the things that I did right.  I did a few things right by God’s grace, but in the early years I’m ashamed to say that I was self-focused, impatient, and pretty much clueless about being a mother.  I’m so thankful for His mercy and grace! So I speak to you today out of shortcomings mingled with a few things I’ve learned along the way.

• First of all, I know that you know that this precious bundle of joy, who is finishing her final few days within you, is a gift from God.

King David described it so beautifully when he penned in Psalm 139:

You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven … Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

• God intends for this little girl to be a blessing to you—she is His gift to you. Treat her like that treasured gift, even on those difficult days. Treat her with great respect, with tenderness. Love her Anyway and Always. It's how God loves us. We are to be an image of His divine parenthood, however faint that image might be.

 

• But most of all, point her to God. You will fail her. Mothers and fathers do. You won’t be a super mom. None of us are. Teach her to trust in God, to pour out her heart before Him. Teach her to pray, and pray for her. Pray for yourself and for your husband, that God will give you wisdom.

Generations ~ Loren Entz

• Not only does God intend for her to be a blessing to you, He intends for her to be a blessing to her grandparents. Proverbs 17:6--Grandchildren are the crown of the aged. Give them time together and let God use them in each other’s lives. They need each other.            

• Don’t try to go it alone. 

Grandparents are God’s idea for multi-generational faith-building.

Deut. 4:9--“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart ... Make them known to your children and your children's children.

                  Everyone benefits!

Surround yourself with people who are like-minded. Being a mother is a lot of work, and you will need encouragement.

                  Encouragement to persevere in doing what’s right.

                  Encouragement that being a mommy is important.

                  Encouragement to daily walk with God.

We are Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hand—He uses us to strengthen and encourage His children.                 

The purpose of having this shower for you is to encourage you as you step into this new dimension of life.....

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.  May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father…”  — Colossians 1:9-12 

So…

                  Enjoy this little one coming into your life.

                  Enjoy every phase. Try not to miss any of it.

                  Rainbows and childhood too soon disappear.

                  Be intentional as you’re parenting.

                  Seeds sown in her childhood will bear fruit in her adulthood.

                  Play with her, laugh with her. Celebrate each new accomplishment.

                  As we, with your mother, celebrate yours today.

Sunday Ponderings ~ Submitting to Authority

Pondering today on Romans 13:1-7, where our pastor spoke from this morning. The passage tells us to be in subjection to the governing authorities, which are established by God. Opposing them is opposing God.

"Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves" (v. 1-2).

This is especially challenging when I disagree with the governing authorities. It's even more difficult when I don't like those in authority over me. But agreeing and liking aren't qualifiers in the command.

God intends for authority to be "a minister of God to you for good" (v. 4), and it would be more palatable if I knew that those in authority were interested in my good, but history attests to the fact that many in authority have been brutal to those under them. God deals with them justly, which we've seen in recent instances. He holds all of us accountable for our part in what He ordains.

Not only is authority to be a minister of good, but it is to punish wrongdoing--to be "an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil" (v.4). I've often heard it said that government can't/shouldn't legislate morality, but biblically that's not so. Here we see that government is to legislate against immorality, and what is that except providing for a moral climate?

Do I always submit to every directive of authority? Not when I'm directed to go against scripture. I'm to obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). And this is where my faith is tried in the furnace.

So as I ponder I ask myself, Do I willingly submit to those in authority over me, even if I don't like them or don't agree with them? Or do I do my own thing, or blatantly rebel? Or fuss and fume? Do I draw the line on submitting when it comes to going against biblical truth and commands? Or do I go along with politically correct behavior? Am I willing to be tried in the furnace by obeying God rather than man? Do I desire for dross to be released?

Painting ~ A Young Girl Reading (1890), Charlotte Weeks

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Today I reflect on simple thoughts and simple pleasures. My leads are somewhat similar to others in The Simple Woman's Daybook group, yet a bit different as well.  

A picture to share...  

Roses and Peonies in the Front Yard

Outside my window...

An absolutely gorgeous, sunny day with roses and peonies in bloom.

Thankful...   

For the good fellowship that I had this afternoon with kindred spirits at a baby shower.  My spirit is always refreshed when I cross paths with homeschooling friends from our homeschooling days.

Thinking...     

What a blessing is in store for one of these dear friends who will soon be a grandma and have her grandbaby living nearby. What a blessing for all of them! "Free babysitting whenever we want it," as the mommy-to-be said. 

  Proverbs 17:6--Grandchildren are the crown of the aged.

Learning... 

To wait on God. Even though I cannot see Him at work, I do see the leaves rustle every now and then. :-)
  

Around the house.... 

The dining room table is covered in boxes and piles of pictures. Getting all the family pictures organized and, hopefully, into albums. Sure wish I'd done this throughout the years. It would have made our girls' birthday photo books much easier to do!

From the kitchen....

Bow Tie Pasta with Bacon, Tomatoes, and Zucchini

8 oz. (4 cups) uncooked bow tie pasta (farfalle)
1/2 lb. bacon (I don't use that much)
1 large onion, cut into 1/2-inch wedges 
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 small zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, sliced
1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 19 oz. cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
1 tsp. brown sugar

Cook bow tie pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Discard bacon drippings. Add onion and garlic to bacon in skillet. Cook over medium high heat for 1-2 minutes or until onion begins to brown. Add zucchini; cook 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, brown sugar, and beans; cook over medium heat for 10-12 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally.

Drain bow tie pasta. Pour tomato mixture over pasta.
6 (1  1/3 cup) servings

From the Sewing Room...

Trying to figure out how to do a cover seam with my serger so I can hem some knit tops.
  
Noticing the sound of...  
Neighbors' grandsons playing basketball in their driveway. 
 

A thought from my Quiet Time....

As I was once again reading the account of the birth of Jesus and how the shepherds "when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child, and all that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds" (Luke 2), I paused at the next sentence: "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." I wondered why 'she kept all these things,' because it was truly wonderful news. I began to think of the bumper stickers that say, "I'm the proud parent of a ...." and how she could have been boasting about what her son was going to do, or at least that she was especially chosen to bear Him. Indeed, Mary was chosen for special parenthood, but she had a heart of humility. Jesus was known for his humility--I think He learned it from His mother.

Currently reading...

The Family by J.R. Miller. Sharing a paragraph with you as I reflect on this new little life soon coming to this young couple:

"What we want to do with our children is not merely to control them and keep them in order, but to implant true principles deep in their hearts which shall rule their whole lives; to shape their character from within into Christlike beauty, and to make of them noble men and women, strong for battle and for duty. They are to be trained rather than governed. Growth of character, not merely good behavior, is the object of all home governing and teaching. Therefore the home influence is far more important than the home laws, and the parents' lives are of more moment than their teachings."

This coming week I'm looking forward to...

Hopefully, having an additional pastor for our church to help with the ministry. The decision will be made Sunday evening.

You may also enjoy reading what other simple women are saying and doing these days. Just click here to go to The Simple Woman's Daybook site. I'll be posting my journal on Saturdays. Do stop by again.

Home ~ A Spring Among the Hills

I've been reading once again The Family (formerly titled Home-Making) by J.R. Miller (1882) in which he addresses the roles and relationships in a harmonious home. I've been working on a baby shower devotional for a dear friend, and Miller's introductory remarks are a fitting reminder of the part homes play in the blessing of a nation. I thought I'd share this thought with you today.

"The benediction that falls upon the homes of a country is like the gentle rain that descends afterward, and along the banks of a thousand streamlets flowing through the valleys the grass is greener and the flowers pour out richer fragrance.

"Homes are the springs among the hills, whose many streamlets, uniting, form like great rivers society, the community, the nation, the Church. If the springs run low the rivers waste; if they pour out bounteous currents the rivers are full. If the springs are pure the rivers are clear like crystal; if they are foul the rivers are defiled. A curse upon homes sends a poisoning blight everywhere; a blessing sends healing and new life into every channel."

A spring among the hills with a new bundle of joy arriving soon. May this home pour out pure, bounteous currents into every channel.

Painting ~ A Quiet Moment, Lise Auger

Schooling or Education?

 

"Thank goodness I was never sent to school.

It would have rubbed off some of my originality."   

Beatrix Potter

I was chatting with a couple of young homeschooling moms at church last night. They had been to a curriculum showing earlier in the day. What a blessing to share in their enthusiasm for training their children at home! It isn't an easy road, but everyone will benefit. The children, obviously, but mom and dad will, too, as God uses daily experiences and their love for their children to change them more into His divine image of parenthood.

A few thoughts about schooling and education from some famous others:

"I've never let school interfere with my education."   

Mark Twain 

"It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education."

Albert Einstein

"I am beginning to suspect all elaborate and special systems of education. They seem to me to be built upon the supposition that every child is a kind of idiot who must be taught to think. Let him come and go freely, let him touch real things and combine his impressions for himself, instead of sitting indoors at a little round table while a sweet-voiced teacher suggests that he build a stone wall with his wooden blocks, or make a rainbow out of strips of colored paper, or plant straw trees in flower pots. Such teaching fills the mind with artificial associations that must be got rid of before the child can develop independent ideas out of actual experiences."

Anne Sullivan ~ Helen Keller's teacher

"You send your child to the schoolmaster, but 'tis the schoolboys who educate him." 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

 
Schooling or education? There is a difference!

Dressed for Rain?

 "There's no such thing as bad weather, only inadequate clothing." 

Rain, rain, rain. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, a chance the next day. Raining on the just and the unjust.

Actually, I think rain is cozy--the non-stormy type, that is. It puts me in a homey mood to stay inside and cook and tend to household tasks. Got the laundry done yesterday, tending to ironing today; fixed a salmon supper yesterday, and wouldn't soup be good for lunch today? Maybe put on a pot of hot tea with a good book this afternoon, then do a little sewing. Nothing to draw me outdoors on days like these, and plenty to enjoy inside.

I often wonder when we pray that it won't rain (like the day of Laura's wedding--my, how it poured and how we prayed!), and God knows that the farmers need the rain, does He attend to our prayers for a dry day, or to the farmers' prayers for a good soaking? My hunch is that in His sovereignty He has His laws of nature set in motion, and unless there's some ultimate purpose to intervene, He doesn't. The wedding went on in the rain, and so did the reception that was partly outdoors under a canopy tent. As far as we could tell, everyone took it in stride and enjoyed themselves anyway.

Storms are different. We know the devastation and heartache caused recently by some severe storms throughout the South. I know there are some who chase after storms, but most of us don't like to be in storms. Sometimes God calms the storms, and sometimes He doesn't. When He doesn't, though, He goes through them with us.

The storms of life reveal our faith. When the disciples were in the boat and a storm arose, Jesus asked them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" (Mark 4:40). Our own lack of faith causes us to fear, but our lack of faith does not cause Him to turn away from us. He is our refuge, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). But His question, "Where is your faith?" challenges the disciples and us to grow stronger in our faith. Why? So we won't be so fearful when the storms of life come.

There's no such thing as bad weather, only inadequate faith.

"Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God 

whose ways you may not understand at the time." 

~ C.H. Spurgeon

Poster ~ Rainy Day Birds II, June Erica Vess

A Faint Image of the Divine Fatherhood

Sharing with you today a brief paragraph from The Family by J.R. Miller.

Good Morning ~ Light

God has so constituted us that in loving and caring for our own children the richest and best things in our natures are drawn out. Many of the deepest and most valuable lessons ever learned are read from the pages of unfolding child-life. We best understand the feelings and affections of God toward us when we bend over our own child and see in our human parenthood a faint image of the divine Fatherhood. Then in the culture of character there is no influence more potent than that which touches us when our children are laid in our arms. Their helplessness appeals to every principle of nobleness in our hearts. Their innocence exerts over us a purifying power. The thought of our responsibility for them exalts every faculty of our souls. In the very care which they exact, they bring blessing to us. When old age comes, very lonely is the home which has neither son nor daughter to return with grateful ministries, to bring solace and comfort to the declining years.

Home Again

Got back yesterday from a quick visit with Laura and John and their doggies, Wookie and Katy. We were combining celebrations. Laura gave me the beautiful blue-gray tanager below that she had painted. She's always had a creative touch since she was a little girl.

One of our gifts to her was a photo book of her years with us. We did one for Elizabeth's birthday as well. That was the big project I had mentioned that we were working on this past month where I lived in the memories of wonderful homeschooling days gone by.

My Beloved wasn't feeling well the first day there, so Laura and I did some shopping, had lunch, and just hung out for the day while John was at work. We missed the fellas, but it was good to just have some girl time together and do girly things like buying shoes. ;-) Laura took me to the Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse. Tons of shoes!

The next day we took an afternoon trip to Hendersonville, a quaint NC mountain town, strolling lazily along and dropping in to several antique shops and boutiques, as well as the bakery (Mmm! Bear Claws) and The General Mast Store. I've been in a few Mast Stores in NC & SC, and they've all been wall-to-wall people, attesting to their popularity. We took a break and stopped in for lunch at the Three Chopt Sandwich Shop. If you're ever in the area, they have great soup and sandwiches and really friendly service.

Been unpacking and getting things back in order today after two weeks away. Distance is no friend to families.

Back From Chicago

 Got home late last night from our trip to visit Elizabeth and her family. Elizabeth came down with a stomach virus while we were there, so we stayed an extra day to help out with Elijah and prepare meals and such. Elijah has grown so much since we saw him at Christmas. 21 months already! What a blessing to have him crawl up in our lap throughout the day or up on "Grandad's bed" first thing of the morning for reading his favorite books.  Sometimes he'd just stop by where we're sitting and plant a kiss and go on his way. Sure was hard to leave this lovable little fella!

We spent today getting the yard mowed and clothes washed and repacked for a trip south tomorrow to spend a few days with Laura and celebrate her birthday a bit early. Both of our girls were born in May, a wonderful month for new life. She had asked us to come for Mother's Day, but we were headed to Chicago that weekend, so we planned a combination birthday/Mother's Day for this coming weekend. May has always been a celebration month for our family.

If you have grandchildren or grandparents living nearby, you are truly blessed! What a wonderful privilege and responsibility to routinely encourage multi-generational faith. I hear some grandparents say they feel that they don't get "special visits" when their grandchildren live nearby, but being a daily influence far surpasses an occasional special visit. Besides, that's the biblical pattern.

Sharing a few more pictures from our visit.

Getting ready for church.

Elijah's well-organized bedroom

A day in the park

At the zoo