Prayer Apron

Motherhood. One word filled with many definitions. One who meets the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of others, one who gives selflessly, and serves generously. The list goes on….

I have been reading about Susanne Wesley. She was married to a preacher, had 19 children, 9 died in infancy. Two of her sons, John and Charles, grew up to be life-changers in our world bringing millions to Christ through the preaching of the gospel.

When she was young, she promised the Lord she would pray and read The Word faithfully. Her family went through many hardships: loss, debt, no food, their home burned twice and lost everything, angry church members where her husband preached (and they weren’t very nice all the time) and had troubles behind the doors of her home.

We all have hardships. What’s behind your door of your home? Mine? Probably looks something like Susanne’s. Depending on the season, life can be easy, or challenging, dry spells, or life-growing faith, tears, or joy, frustration, or encouraged, we show signs of dis-contentment, or we are fully satisfied, we have questions, or have answers, and then we have plenty, or are just getting by.

As I read further about Susanne Wesley, I was reminded that she was not only a mom and wife, but she was the daughter of the King. She had a hard life- she didn’t have a dishwasher, car, phone, comfortable house and conveniences….Yet, she managed her house, raised and educated her ten children, influenced and inspired her kids, spent time with them and raised some Christian giants that we learn about in history. There’s one thing that Susanne did which was unusual in her home. When she needed to pray, she put her apron over her head. What? Her kids knew that when their moms apron was over her head, she was praying. NO interrupting mom. I can see the chaos now….but Susanne still took time to pray. Her key to being a godly mom was filling up in prayer. Now she could be that effective servant in her home. No one else could fill her, but The LORD.

Susanne had a quote that stood out to me- “strength guided by kindness”. As she raised her family, she could do that by having her quiet time with The Lord in the midst of her daily life and routines.

Psalm 5:3-“In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” Ladies, throw that apron over your head, spend time with our heavenly Father. Pray. Wait. Expect Him to do great things through you to be an effective witness to your family.

Before we all break out in a panic on those hard days, remember the vision God has for your family. Keep focused. Stay the course. Jesus asks us to follow His example. He spent time with the Father. Fill up. Toss that apron over your head.

In Christ Alone,

Jyl Griffin

Put Your Life-Mask on First:

Have you ever been on an airplane and the stewardess instructs you that in an emergency, put your life-mask on first, then the person next to you? In a Christian’s life, our life-mask is our relationship with The Lord and growing in His Word. Put it on FIRST, then assist your family.

As we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas…life gets crazy. Our culture is so “me” focused, it’s hard to keep the BEST things in mind for the family. Here are some ideas on imparting a Christ-focused love for Him and others during these upcoming holidays.

Pray and plan with your family on ways to be intentional: Luke 8:8-9 “And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears, let him hear.” Intentionally plant, pray for those seeds to grow and take root, share life on life as you tend to the things The Lord wants you to focus on.

Prioritize Life. In order to hear God’s voice, especially during the upcoming months, spend time in the scriptures. Lessen your load during Thanksgiving and Christmas & simplify your schedule. Remember- Good, better, best. Decide what is BEST for your family, then sweep out the rest.

With Family: Set aside a reading time for Thanksgiving and Christmas, do a Christmas advent, special activities, worship together, have a thankful basket to fill up with slips of paper your family are thankful for, family traditions, or go hiking and talk about what God is doing.

For Others: Acts of Service in church ministries, do a Thanksgiving/Christmas basket to bless someone, or draw names in your family for each member to do random acts of kindness during the season.

Remember, put your life-mask on first, then your families.

“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” Psalm 95:2.

In Christ Alone,

Jyl Griffin

The Heart of Homeschooling:

Ice Breaker Questions:

Pull three things out of your purse and explain how they describe you.

Where do you think God wants you to get out of the way and let Him do His best work? How do you feel about that?

Our relationships:

God- There are three main things that are at the heart of homeschooling. It isn’t academics, extra curricular activities, how to get amazing test scores….

It’s 3 relationships- that are at the heart of homeschooling:

God

Family

Community

First, what is the priorities in your family? Our priorities set the road of what we do. We need to be nurtured by our savior and at our Lord’s feet. Talking with Him and listening to His word. When we nurture our relationship with God, we are stronger and can hear Him better. We trust Him more readily when we remember to take time to be with Him. I have found true in my own life, that when I am unfaithful in spending time in the Word, my spiritual growth suffers and my focus on what is important with an eternal perspective- fades. When I am close to God, hanging on His every word, praising Him through all and talking with Him throughout the day-my spiritual life is stronger.

When is the best time you can sit with God? When is the best time for you to read and pray?

2. The heart of homeschooling is- Family: Homeschooling is more than academics. Yes, we need to be faithful in academics and training where our kids have gifts and interests. We need to be above board on teaching our children and prepared in equipping our children. But if we miss the spiritual training, taking time for character growth and walking with them through hard stuff---showing them God is there and how to hear His voice--We are missing it. The heart of homeschooling is learning is living by example and showing our children that God loves them, that salvation comes through Christ alone and we are here to bring Him glory in all that we do.

Be careful to not get busy doing good things and fill your day where there isn’t room for God’s interruptions and time for Him.

Luke 10:38-42-

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

This passage is a good reminder in scripture of times when our focus can get off. Mary chose to be at the Lords feet, hearing Him teach and learning from Him. That’s what she needed. Martha was getting things together in the kitchen and got caught up in business.

How did she respond?- Mary chose what was best for her. He wasn’t going to ask Mary to leave and go help Martha. We must choose what is best for us in all the “good” things. Choose what is best and what fits your families vision and purpose. When we sit at the Lords feet and in His word, we then are filled up in truth—so we are equipped to live through the day ahead.

3. Third relationship of the heart of homeschooling is our Community: Our witness and living the gospel to those around us. We live that out in the places we go, the people we brush us against. Living the good news of Christ. Looking for opportunities to walk life on life with others. CHEER moms, family, people at Walmart, soccer, p.e…..

Erickson Tada- been paralyzed since she was 18. One day, she didn’t feel like smiling or doing anything and wanted to complain and be upset. She deserved too. She prayed to God and when the person came to help her—she smiled. She didn’t feel it, but God gave her that smile. God got her off focusing on herself and focusing on Him.

Sometimes we are going to feel like a failure. There are times when we don’t feel like doing what really matters.

What to do?

Nurture your soul.

Glorify God

Love our families unconditionally

Point them to Christ- repent, point to Christ, lead the best you can in light of the gospel.

Jyl Griffin

How to Make a Homeschool Mission Statement

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Why are we home educating our children? List the reasons. This will be the core of your Mission Statement.
2. What are our spiritual goals? Educational goals? Academic goals?

What do we want our children to learn, and why?

3. Long term goals and short-term goals.
4. What life skills and character do we want our kids to learn?
5. What is our family’s view of success?
6. What are our kids gifts and interest? How can we cultivate those?
7. What kind of family relationships do we want our kids to take away from our family environment and instill in their future family?
8. What is the big picture for education for our kids?
9. What enrichment activities should my children participate in?
10. What are we willing to live without in order to homeschool?
11. What benefits are important to us in homeschooling and what do we hope to accomplish?

Make your list from the questions above and any others that come to your mind. Begin to put those thoughts together to create your Mission Statement and the details of what you would like your kids to learn and accomplish this year.

Words to start: “we commit to….” As the Lord allows….”, “we acknowledge God’s call…”, “we are dedicated to…”, “our purpose in homeschooling…”, “we believe learning is a ….”, “we believe success is…”,

Goals:

List short term and long term goals for each child: academic, character, spiritual, and life skills for the upcoming school year. Pray and ask God to help you to know which key elements He wants you focus on with more detail with your child that year. Then make short term and long term goals to help them achieve that.

Building a Connected Family “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other…” 1Thes 3:12

Discover the Blueprints – they are God's Design • brain development • the biology of behavior • regulation
Examine your Foundation • take inventory • a life-changing perspective • understanding core beliefs
Build Exterior Walls that Connect Hearts • create felt safety • understand mindfulness • give voice • share power
Repair or Remodel ? • physical/environmental needs • address sensory needs • provide proactive strategies

Invest in a few key Tools • family rules  (try: Stick Together, No Hurts, Have Fun!) • new rituals • playful engagement
Keep the roof inspected - Engage as a Coach • problem solve together • give opportunity to practice new skills • shower affirmation in character, talent, and effort

Need more ideas or information? Connect with Erin at  SolvingParentingPuzzles.com