Happy is the Mom Who Puts Her Trust in the Lord

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="40b4e4e3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Crooked Pines Ministries"><U><IMG SRC="040bf930.gif" border=0 width="191" height="147" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Glance at Reading Readiness"><U>A Glance at Reading Readiness</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Look at Peppermint and Slippery Elm Ba"><U>A Look at Peppermint and Slippery Elm Bark</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Pleasing Palette"><U>A Pleasing Palette</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Treasure So Fine!"><U>A Treasure So Fine!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Amazing Grace or Flaming Rebellion"><U>Amazing Grace or Flaming Rebellion</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aunt Bettys BBQ Sauce"><U>Aunt Betty's BBQ Sauce</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id146.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Back to School"><U>Back to School</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Beginnings of Habit"><U>The Beginnings of Habit</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Being Poured Out"><U>Being Poured Out</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Broccoli Chicken Casserole"><U>Broccoli - Chicken Casserole</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id57.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Building Habits on the Dry Bones of Educ"><U>Building Habits on the Dry Bones of Education</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id144.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Choosing Curriculum for the new year"><U>Choosing Curriculum for the new year</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Comforter: the Fabric of Our Lives"><U>The Comforter: the Fabric of Our Lives</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id71.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dwelling in Safety"><U>Dwelling in Safety</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall: The Season of Change"><U>Fall: The Season of Change</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id77.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fighting Burnout with Scriptural Promise"><U>Fighting Burnout with Scriptural Promises</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="For the Love of Ginger"><U>For the Love of Ginger</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, AL "><U>From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, AL - A Covenant Journey Part 1</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, AL "><U>From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, AL - A Pure Vessel Part 2</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id75.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Get Ye unto Your Tents... and REST!"><U>Get Ye unto Your Tents... and REST!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id58.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Habit of Dawdling, The Cure"><U>The Habit of Dawdling, The Cure</U></A></div> <div> <B>Happy is the Mom Who Puts Her Trust in the Lord</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id72.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Have You Been Working Out?"><U>Have You Been Working Out?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id79.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="His Love"><U>His Love</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Home Educators and their Books"><U>Home Educators and their Books</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id83.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Homeschooling... 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Dormant? Not Hardly!"><U>Winter... Dormant? Not Hardly!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Your Liver loves Burdock!"><U>Your Liver loves Burdock!</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="40b4e4e3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>  Crooked Pines Ministries</B>  </FONT>  |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Crooked Pines Ministries"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> back to  <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Articles by Mary E. Woodis"><U><B>Articles by Mary E. Woodis</B></U></A></div> <div> Happy is the Mom Who Puts Her Trust in the Lord</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.hisimage.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.hisimage.org"><U><IMG SRC="05193950.jpg" border=0 width="147" height="149" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> Happy is the Mom who puts her </div> <div> Trust in the Lord </div> <div> By: Mary E. Woodis </div> <div> Background package: Psalm 34 </div> <div>  </div> <div>      It is that time of the year again when we all begin to start our children back to school. One of the wonderful privileges of home schooling our children is that we choose the day and time, we don’t have to be regulated by the local school system. Has your household fallen back into that happy order of an educating schedule? It seems our home always runs smoother when we have a set schedule for our days. The children are happier when they know what to expect and my thoughts seems to be clearer. </div> <div>  </div> <div>      With the advent of the school year come the same old fears… Is my knowledge sufficient to teach them this year? Is this curriculum going to be right for my child? What will Satan do this year to throw a kink in my plans? Oh dear ones, the fear of the unknown can torment you unceasingly! If you are just starting out or you are approaching a new level, these fears or others like them have undoubtedly crossed your mind. Can I just tell you that “Yes, you can do it!” Your peace and your happiness lie with the Lord, trust Him! </div> <div>  </div> <div>      Our oldest daughter, Jessica, is starting her 8th grade year; I traveled through many of the common concerns that face parents of children starting their high school years. You know the drill, high school graduation requirements, college preparation courses, delineating goals and objectives, the list is endless, mind boggling and exhausting. All of this can weigh you down like a wet blanket. Satan will so load you down with doubts and concerns that sleep will flee and headaches will commence. </div> <div>  </div> <div>      There is a key in there did you notice it? I said, “delineating goals and objectives…” That is your key to sanity and direction! Before you worry about graduation requirements and college preparatory courses, make a clear statement of the goals you have for your child’s future and the goals your child has for the future. How do these line up with the Lord’s goals for your child’s future? That should come first! Once you have a clear vision from the Lord for your child’s future, you have identified your child’s bents and gifts (Proverbs 22:6, see the Amplified Version), then set your goals. These goals, and your educational philosophy will set your course so clearly that you will wonder what the problem was. </div> <div>  </div> <div>      On the other end of the spectrum are the children who are starting Kindergarten. We have one of those, too! Parker-Daniil is beginning his Kindergarten year. Sometimes, with a child this young, it is difficult to decide just what and how much you are going to teach. Again, all confusion will be cleared up as you seek God’s face and His will concerning the education of your child. If this is your first child to home educate you should do a couple of things before you begin this journey.  </div> <div>  </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> First, you should define your educational philosophy before you begin. This will help you to focus your efforts and understand which curriculums will be useful in your home.  </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Secondly, it is important that you educate yourself about learning styles so that you can define which category your child falls into. This knowledge will save you and your child countless hours of grief.  </div> <div>  </div> <div> Both of these will make your life so much easier! Not every child will fit into a standard curriculum, make sure you have educated yourself on your alternatives. </div> <div>  </div> <div>      At our home, we believe that all of life is an education. In this respect, children are being educated from the time they are conceived. They begin learning new things as soon as the cells begin to split. At this stage the learning is purely genetic and instinctive, but soon their brain, ears and eyes form and they begin to take in the sounds and images around them. Their brains learn to process information and create impressions and feelings as a result. From all of this spring the very first and most primitive habits. Habits are what will make or break you home school.  </div> <div>  </div> <div>      With that in mind there was very little to add into Parker-Daniil’s day. Habit training is a daily concern in our home. Everything in life is either building a good habit or a bad habit. We work on one habit at time and give it about six weeks to become set in their mind. The new habit that we had to establish with Parker-Daniil was a school schedule. He has never done regular seat work before so this was a new habit for him. </div> <div>  </div> <div>      With that in mind all we needed was a few basic pieces of curriculum and we were set and ready to go. We began Making Math Meaningful - Level 1 and “Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.” The handwriting falls in with these two activities and everything else he has already been participating in during our normal home life. Beginning his formal education was no great stretch for me simply because he is our third child. Education was already an atmosphere, it was becoming a discipline, and would continue on a new level to be a lifestyle for Parker-Daniil. </div> <div>  </div> <div>      As I faced my doubts, fears and uncertainties regarding this school year, I turned in my Bible to Psalm 34. It is a wonderful passage filled with reassurance and direction. The promises in this chapter are wonderfully applicable. I want to share just a bit with you from this chapter of God’s Holy Word. </div> <div>  </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Psalm 34:1-4, “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” </div> <div>  </div> <div>      The first lesson that our Dear Lord had for me in this passage was one of comfort and direction. Did you notice verse 4, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Isn’t that blessed assurance? God will deliver you from all your fears! Turn to Him and lay it all out, don’t be afraid… God already knows your thoughts; (Psalm 94:11) He knows what is on your heart. (Psalm 139:23) Take it to Him, curl up on His lap and share your heart. God surely will deliver you from all your fears. He will give you peace (John 14:27) and comfort (John 14:26), He will give you courage and strength, (Psalm 31:24) you can face this school year when God is supplying all your needs. (Philippians 4:19) </div> <div>  </div> <div>      My direction came when I noticed that I was to “…bless the Lord at all times…” Why, I couldn’t do that if I was constantly in a state of worry. Fretting was getting me nowhere fast! (Matthew 6:34) So, what did I do? I opened my mouth and praised my Lord and my God that He had given me the awesome privilege of educating my children at home. I thanked Him that I didn’t have to send my children away five days a week to be taught by a stranger things I did not know. I expressed my joy that I was chosen to disciple these children and share my religious convictions with them in an open and honest way, I don’t have to hide to share my Lord with them. It makes me mindful of the song, “Count your blessings name them one by one…”  </div> <div>  </div> <div>      I would exhort you my dear friends to praise the Lord in the days to come, even when it is hard, even, and more so, especially when you don’t feel like it. When the hard days come, praise the Lord. When the exasperating days come, praise the Lord. When you feel like you have hit a wall and you can’t go on, praise the Lord. When all else fails, praise the Lord! </div> <div>  </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Psalm 34:8-10, “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. O fear the Lord, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” </div> <div>  </div> <div>      This passage of Scripture spoke directly to my insecurity concerning Jessica’s step into high school. Would I be wise enough to face all of the challenges that were coming to meet us in the years ahead? Would my style of education be enough for my child to measure up? Would she be equipped for her future? To all these questions I can now answer a resounding yes! Why? What changed? My view of my Lord. Let me share with you how. </div> <div>  </div> <div>      I have spent the last couple of weeks revising my first book, “The Nature Study Idea Book…” One of the chapters that I felt was in serious need of revision was “Teaching Science through the Attributes of God”. As I was studying through some of the materials that my Pastor Henry Morris loaned me, I discovered a new and awesome awareness of just who my God is. Words can not express the happiness that flooded my soul with each new discovery. Dear friends, my very fears were denying the all sufficiency of my God. The verse, </div> <div> Romans 8:31, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” </div> <div> began to take on all new meaning! </div> <div>  </div> <div>      During my study I tasted of the Lord and He was VERY good! He filled all of my senses, He fed my soul in a way that I have rarely experienced. He gave me a hunger and thirst for more and yet satisfied me in a way that I can’t describe. It is my prayer that your God is so real to you that you can literally taste Him! </div> <div>  </div> <div>      When you begin to know God in this incredibly intimate way you will find that you have no unfulfilled needs. This extends to your educational needs. Do you need wisdom? Go to God, He will supply your need. He will direct you to the proper resources to fill this need in a way that you may have never dreamed, but it will be perfect. Do you need resources? Open your mind to all of the possibilities that our Dear Lord has placed before you and you will no longer lack anything! Do you need patience? This too can come from God. In fact, I would be downright fearful of patience that came from any other source. One of the fruits of the Spirit is longsuffering. (Galatians 5:22) That sounds like a home school mom to me! </div> <div>  </div> <div>      Verse 10 of the passage above really sealed my peace. In the Amplified Bible it states it a little differently, but it is so good! Look: </div> <div>  </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Psalm 34:10, “The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord (by right of their need and on the authority of His Word), none of them shall lack any beneficial thing.” </div> <div>  </div> <div>      Wow! That is a very strong promise! If I seek the Lord, according to His perfect will, I won’t lack any beneficial thing. My home school is assured! I may not have every little thing that I think I require, but I will have His very best, everything that He sees as beneficial to our educational pursuits. That is VERY comforting! God is just SO good! </div> <div>  </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Psalm 34:11, “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” </div> <div>  </div> <div>      After I had found my peace and the source for all my needs with the Lord, I was ready to say with the Psalmist, “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” This would be the main thing in our home school. Our focus would not be on the world’s standards and expectations. I had my focus redefined. Will my children be ready for college? Yes! If the Lord leads them in that direction, I have to trust that He will direct their education so it will be so. Those who trust in the Lord will never be put to shame.  </div> <div>  </div> <div>      So, in conclusion, take your fears to the Lord and let Him deal with each one. Open your mind and heart to His wisdom and righteousness and all these things, everything that is beneficial according to His purpose will be added unto you. Seek ye the Lord! </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>This article is copyrighted by Mary E. Woodis. If you would like to print this article in whole or part in your publication please contact Jessie and Mary Woodis at </B><A HREF="mailto:jessiew@hiwaay.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:jessiew@hiwaay.net"><U><B>jessiew@hiwaay.net</B></U></A><B> for permission and more details.</B></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>