A New Chapter

Thursday, September 22, 2013

4:38 AM

Why am I awake?

Easy. My 11-month-old daughter, Madison, decided it would be a good time to wake Mommy up. She's asleep now, of course. It's all good and well, I guess. While everyone is asleep, I get some "me" time in. Usually, I'll study out of the bible, clean up, or watch a show I like that I can't watch any other time of the day. Right now, I really should be studying. Last night's selection is 2 Kings 17 & 18 and 1 Corinthians 1. 2 Kings is about all of the different kings of Judah and Israel, and how terrible most were. The Lord appointed these men (and one woman) over His people, and yet they do so much evil. Their sins manifest over the rest of the land. I think about how the Lord appoint me and Stephan as leaders of our children. Jay and Madison are so young and have so much living to do. It wasn't long ago when I was just like them. It's amazing what the Lord has you go through to prepare you for what's to come. I know that He's been preparing me for when I finally come to Him. That's a given. As for being a parent, everyday I learn something new. How to use patience; when to act; when to sit back and observe; or even how to cook something new that Jay will possibly like. Now that I'll be homeschooling, beginning in less than two weeks, I pray that the Lord allows me to use all of my knowledge and experiences to teach Jay the Lord's word, how to be a good citizen, and basic (and advanced) skills to get him through this life. What. A. Task.

It's one thing to be responsible for yourself. I've been spoiled. It was easy for me to give up on things, because I know that I'd "always" have something (or someone) else to fall back on. I didn't finish college. I have a failed marriage under my belt. All in all, I've done some not-so-noble stuff. So, how in the world can I teach a child to be better than I was? Well, the Lord's grace and mercy brought me this far. And what I've learned about His majesty and His sovereignty in the word has been so encouraging. I was who I was before. But, I am who I am now. His grace and mercy will endure forever, and I know it is through His grace and mercy that I'll be able to instruct Jay in the way of the Lord. Proverbs 22:6 says to Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it. That's the scripture Stephan and I chose for our "school". 

I'm excited about the direction the Lord has in store for Stephan, Jay, Madison, and myself. On September 3rd, we begin a whole new chapter in our lives. What a blessing I know it will be!