As I continue to write about this new journey with Caterpillar, the one thing that has really stood out for me is SIMPLICITY! I have tried to complicate things, by trying to fulfill my own desires and plans. I have given myself an abundance of 'things to keep up with', yet struggling to juggle and balance them all. As I meet and get to know other homeschool moms, I am constantly amazed at how much they cover, and the things they accomplish. Nature studies, fantastic art projects, tons of extra reading on their own... all the while maintaining their homes, their lives, and their families. They blog, they facebook, they go on mission trips, participate in co-ops, take field trips, twitter, quilt, knit, bake, garden and sew... the list could go on and on. Me, well... I feel lucky to keep up with our curriculum, laundry, meals and all of our extra appointments! Am I saying it is wrong for them to do all of those other things, NO! I am not saying that it is a requirement to do all of those things either to qualify as a 'Great homeschool Mom'. What I am saying is this...
I am not them.
I am not Mary, or Sue, or Jane.
I am me, Butterfly.
I am who God created me to be.
Do I do some of the things above mentioned? YES! Yet, they are done, when I can do them. These exact days and circumstances that I am in are WHERE THE LORD WANTS OUR FAMILY TO BE! It is HIS PLAN. Not mine. It is HIS WILL, not mine. As a result, I have learned that I have to trust in HIM daily to lead me. To show me what He desires for me and our family. To accept this path, this journey, so I may glorify Him in all I say and do.
One of the first things I have had to do is take a step back and see exactly what He was showing me. To do this, I had to get into HIS WORD. DAILY. Not just a few verses here and there, or a chapter with Caterpillar as we study the History of Persia and King Darius. Or even at church, or Sunday school, or daily family devotions. I needed to have my OWN PERSONAL time with Him, in His Word and in prayer. At the beginning of the year, I started a new plan, to read the Bible through in a year. A few weeks into it, my prayer life has grown already. As I read the verses of creation in Genesis, or Psalms, I am seeing things I had never seen before. Earlier this week as I read Psalm 16, I could hear His voice in the quiet. I could hear Him speaking to me, "Simplify, my child. For this is the plan I have for YOU! This is where I want you to be."
So, I cling to my faith, and heed His call. Simplifying and living in His will.
Keep me safe, O God,
for in you I take refuge.
I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing."
As for the saints who are in the land,
they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those will increase
who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood
or take up their names on my lips.
LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16
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