Kindness

Kindness makes a person attractive.

If you would win the world,

melt it,

do not hammer it.

-Alexander MacLaren

I think the same can be said about parenting. :)

Getting through the rough spots

Sometimes when I'm homeschooling, I get frustrated because I want to stick to "the list" and get the tasks done—and not have to deal with diversions (interruptions, attitudes, etc.).

Here's what Deborah Wuehler, senior editor of The Homeschool Minute, has to say...

"Instead of looking at everyday life issues and attitudes as obstacles to doing what we want to do, we need to look at the obstacles as part of the life God intended for us to live, and teach around those. It's how we live that life that brings glory to the One Who designed it."

What great insight!  The obstacles are part of the life God intends for us to live!  To break it down further... a "successful life" isn't getting through the "task list"—but how we live out life, obstacles and all!

Another old paradigm bites the dust. :)

Victory in Christ!

I love modern worship songs.  They are so joy-filled!  If you had asked me yesterday whether I prefer hymns or modern worship music, I would have emphatically said the latter!  But this morning I have an old hymn ringing around in my head—A Mighty Fortress is Our God.   As the words started pouring into my mind, I started to cry!  I love the truths about the unseen battle going on around us and that GOD will PREVAIL!!  (This is one thing that modern worship songs are lacking!)

I just feel compelled to write out the words... they are so amazing!  Wait!  Don't tune out yet!  Please read them... they will encourage your soul!

A mighty fortress is our God,
A sword and shield victorious;
He breaks the cruel oppressor's rod
And wins salvation glorious.
The old satanic foe
Has sworn to work us woe!
With craft and dreadful might
He arms himself to fight.
On earth he has no equal.

No strength of ours can match his might!
We would be lost, rejected.
But now a Champion comes to fight,
Whom God Himself elected.
You ask who this may be?
The Lord of Hosts is He!
Christ Jesus, mighty Lord,
God's only Son, adored.
He holds the field victorious.

Through hordes of devils fill the land
All threatening to devour us,
We tremble not, unmoved we stand;
They cannot overpower us.
Let this world's tyrant rage;
In battle we'll engage!
His might is doomed to fail;
God's judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him.

God's Word forever shall abide,
No thanks to foes, who fear it;
For God Himself fights by our side
With weapons of the Spirit.
Were they to take our house,
Goods, honor, child, or spouse,
Though life be wrenched away,
They cannot win the day.
The Kingdom's ours forever!

(text by Martin Luther)