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Mindy B. from My Own Sense and Sensibility is helping me keep things alive here at The Pelsers while we we're preparing for Baby #3's arrival and the transitioning to three boys. I pray that Mindy's post is an encouragement to you today!
-Amanda
Here in the south, it's March. The earth is revealing its life ever so slightly. The crisp coldness of winter fights to maintain its course, while spring-time forces life through cold death.
How parallel my life seems to run. For just as every moment of my life has been all about seasons, I am again walking a new season. There are always, seemingly, touches of spring, mixed with winter and splashes of summer and fall. I am embracing a season that is turning its back on what was and facing the bright future of what will be.
Isn't it funny how, in every step of our faith, marriage and motherhood, God reveals to us just how involved He truly is, flowing and moving and correcting our course through the seasons we either enjoy or endure.
As a young girl I watched life, being stolen from my would-be future brother-in-law in a horrific car accident. I saw life fade when my father suffered at the hand of cancer and become absent from the body, ever present with the Lord. These were my first real experiences with winter's hold.
As a young wife my life was springing with immense love, making a we home and growing to trust God for the small messy moments of growth between my husband and myself, as became One in Him.
As a young mother my life was springing forth yet again. As I blossomed and shined as a mother my spiritual life was changing, emerging, as my soul was learning this life has nothing to do about me but it has EVERYTHING to do with my Mighty and Wonderful Father in Heaven. He gave me this loving and patient husband and 3 beautiful gifts of children. Here is where I am truly refined and the chaff is blown away.
Now, as a wife of 22 years and mother/homeschool teacher of a teen son, pre-teen son, and an impressionable little girl, I see where my spoiled, only-child heart has been and is still being pruned. Though painful, it must be done. I question myself, doubting if I am ever going to be capable of getting it all done and being the model of Christ my children need to see. Am I going to teach them everything they need to know? How Lord? How?
I recently read, what must have been written with me in mind:
“Once I thought I had to have it all together – life, home, schooling, marriage, family – to be a good homeschooling mother. In fact, I was certain I would be happier if I did. Now I know better. I know the limitations. I know that my house will be messier if it's populated round the clod by little people. I know that no matter how tightly I control the cedilla my schooling [my life] will still be interrupted from time to time. I know my less-than-perfect children will no always respond to my less-than-perfect discipline and instruction. I know that we will do well in some areas and that we won't do well in others. I know that I will not always be the perfect wife and [my husband] will not always be the perfect husband…But I also know that's okay. There are limitations I must live with.”
Sally Clarkson – Seasons of a Mother's Heart
“I am clay. Clay cannot mold itself. I am the work of God's hand. I can't do this, but He can.”
Sarah Mae
Just as inside of every caterpillar there is the perfect DNA of a butterfly, so it is that the perfect DNA of Christ is inside of me. I am, day-by-day, moment-by-moment, step-by-step being changed by a merciful and loving God.
I have chosen, in this moment, in this season with my family to celebrate each minute as they unfold. I choose to be thankful. I am learning to be content in all stages the Lord takes me through. I will find the joy God wants me to know.
Hard days will come. Battles will rage. But, I choose to confess that which will strengthen me, “For the Joy of the Lord is my Strength and Stronghold.” [Nehemiah 8:10]
In those seasons that tempt me to give up or be swayed to lack faith I will do as Moses told the Israelites:
Fear not.
Stand still, firm, confident, undismayed
See the salvation of the Lord.
Hold my peace and remain at rest.
Go forward.
Exodus 14:13-15
Mindy B. is a homeschool mom who blogs at My Own Sense and Sensibility. My Own Sense and Sensibility is Mindy's heart… a southern girls perspective, sharing her journey through life as she lets go and lets God. She is helpmeet to Chris and mother and home school teacher to 3 wonderful, determined gifts from God. Mindy loves simplicity and keeping it real.
