His Mysterious Ways

I love L.O.V.E. love my women's Bible study group.  I've grown as a Christian by leaps and bounds over the past couple of years that I've been attending.  I've made some amazing friends and shared some tough, but good, journeys through Scripture.  I've gotten to know God like I never knew Him before... and I know this is just the beginning!  But this August when the much-anticipated day came for the Women's Bible Study kick-off brunch, I decided with a heavy heart not to go.  I looked at our homeschool schedule and thought there is no way I can add a whole morning of Bible study each week - especially when it falls on our busiest day.  Not to mention the homework load (about 45 minutes, 5 days a week).  It just didn't seem possible.  So I stayed home and did schoolwork with the kids and probably pouted a fair amount.  A couple days later, I ran into one of those afore mentioned "amazing friends."  One who has the uncanny ability to tell it like it is, kick your rear in gear and somehow still make you love her.  Without going into the details, she convinced me I needed to be at Bible study.  Make it work.  Period.  I'm certain I gave her an exasperated sigh and rolled my eyes - she sends her kids to school, there's nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't help her understand my position one bit! - and then I agreed to give Bible study a try.  Two weeks later I found myself sitting in a room full of women beginning the Beth Moore study of David: Seeking a Heart Like His.  Oh how I had missed this!!  I found myself nodding at the screen as Beth spoke - yes, Lord!  I'm hearing You!  Praise You for using a dear friend to get me here!

You never land in a Bible study by accident.  God places you there.  He has something He wants to teach you.  I'm only one week into the study of David and have already had my eyes opened multiple times.  God's Word is eternal.  It spoke truth into the lives of people hundreds of years ago.  It speaks truth into my life right now.  It will continue to speak the truth forever.  It is applicable yesterday, today and tomorrow.  Isn't our God AMAZING?!

The homework of day 1 began with the question "Have you ever been in that kind of predicament (referring to King Saul having a position that exceeded his passion)?"  Why yes I have!  In fact, it's something I've been struggling with for the past couple of months.  The question is followed up with the reminder that God can grant "a fiery heart toward Him and what He favors."  You mean, I just need to ask?  Well that's easy enough!  Why is it that the most obvious solutions often elude us?  And in case you're wondering, yes, asking for the passion to match up with my position has made a huge difference!

I don't want to give a book-long explanation for everything God has spoken to me this past week.  I don't want to take the time that would require (I have to sleep sometime, right!) and I'm not certain that much sharing is appropriate for a blog.  But I do want to highlight some of the things that struck me.  Maybe they will strike you, too.

"Our enemy will fall before our God.  We are only deadly to the enemy when we go behind Him."

"Saul learned that obedience was better than sacrifice.  Samuel learned that sometimes obedience is the sacrifice."

2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."  Praise you, Lord!

"If God places you there, you've got what it takes."  This spoke to me at a time when I was wondering why on earth we thought homeschooling was a good idea.

Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Show your faithfulness to God right where you are, then He will move you forward.

You are blessed to be in a situation you know you can't do on your own.  It requires you to seek God and to give the glory back to Him.

"When God finds a heart given over to Him, He forms from it a life with facets and features that normally wouldn't fit."  He makes us unusual in the eyes of the world... and that's a good thing!

This homeschool business isn't always pretty.  It sure looks pretty on a carefully edited blog!  But the truth is, sometimes I just plain don't feel like teaching.  Sometimes the kids don't cooperate.  Sometimes the baby screams at my feet and I find myself almost shouting at Adeline just so she can hear me.  Sometimes I find myself shouting, period.  I don't want to make it sound all bad.  It really isn't.  Sometimes everything runs beautifully.  Sometimes everyone (me included!) is a joy to be around.  Sometimes I want to immediately blog about our amazing day and I am so thankful we chose to teach our children in our home.  But most often things fall right in between "What were we thinking?!" and "Awesome!!!"  I tell people that homeschooling is going good, I enjoy teaching and the kids enjoy learning.  And that is the truth.  But it's hard.  Really, really hard.  There are days when I wonder if we're making the right decision.  Not because it's a good day or a bad day, but just because.  So for that reason, I am very thankful for this Bible study.  God has used it to lift me up and keep me going this past week.  He has reminded me that the work I am doing is for His Kingdom.  My work has an eternal purpose.  I pray that He is moving in your life, too.  Speaking truth into your needs and carrying your load.

Good night.