Why Not?

It is good to ask questions.  Questions can challenge you and cause you to think about something from a different perspective.  Lately I've been challenged by the simple question, 'Why not?'.  As a mom of two boys, questions are a daily part of life.  'Mom, can I do this?', 'Mom, can I go to the park?', 'Mom, why can't I do that?'.  Those are just the beginning.

And the answers to questions are important as well.  Sometimes, there isn't a good answer. Sometimes the answer is no.  I realized over the past couple of years that I had started to say no to my boy's questions, without even thinking about it. 'Mom, can I go play in the rain?' 'Mom, can we go jump in mud puddles?'.  I was saying no to things that wouldn't hurt them, and in fact might bring joy to their hearts.  When I did some soul searching about why I was saying no, most often it was because in some way it would be an inconvenience to me to say yes. More laundry. A dirty house.  What would people think?  Whew.  Talk about missing the point.  

So, I'm trying to think more about my response to questions these days.  When one of my boys, who was helping me roll out pizza crust the other day, asked me if he could make a crazy shaped crust, I wanted to say no because it wouldn't look "nice".  But then I caught myself and said yes.  Why not?  And when my other son wanted to wear mismatched bright orange shorts and a shirt to school, I wanted to say no because it just didn't go together. And it hurt to look at him.  But, then I asked myself 'Why not?'.  Who cares if he matches?  Who am I trying to impress? I said yes, and when  I asked him why he wanted to wear that particular set of clothes, he replied that he wanted to be 'NEON' that day.  His response brought a smile to my face and my heart...I knew that I had made the right choice.  I just wish I had taken a picture of him to post here, so you could see for yourself.  You'll just have to use your imagination!

What If?

I'm very excited about an event coming up next Tuesday, September 23rd.

Through a group called If:Gathering, women from across the nation and around the globe will be coming together to pray.  What will we be praying for?  That's going to be as individual and personal as the number of women that gather.  But among those prayers will be that God will open our eyes and our heart to the physical and spiritual needs around us and that He would use us where we are at to make a difference in the lives of those around us.  

What If we gather?  What could God do?  Only He knows!

Check it out here!

A New Chapter

It's hard to sit down and write when it's been almost a year since my last post.  It's humbling to know that I've been ignoring the desire to blog for a WHOLE YEAR.  It's amazing how procrastination, resistance, or whatever you want to call it, can keep me from something that I truly enjoy doing.

Where do I start?  I can't really relive the past, or go back and share about all of the things that I wanted to at the time.  All I can do is start where I'm at.

So, Where am I?

I'm in a new chapter of my life.  Some not so small changes have happened. The transition from homeschool to public school is one of them. All summer I wrestled with what I already knew the answer was regarding our boys schooling.  After 4+ years of homeschooling, I felt like God was gently nudging me to let go of homeschooling, along with the control I desperately sought to maintain, and the irrational fears that I had. Whether it's just for this year, or for longer, I don't know.  It's an interesting position to be in, though.  I still firmly support the right to homeschool and I still fully believe in the reasons that we homeschooled for 4 years.  I loved the time we had as a family to explore, the freedom to travel when we wanted to, the ability to dive into subjects that we found interesting. But it was time for a change of perspective.  Although we aren't even a month into public school yet, I've found that we still have time to explore, it just looks a little different.  We don't have as much freedom to travel, but I think that we have already become more intentional with the time that we do have.  And I don't think that our boys will ever not dive deeper into subjects that interest them.  It's just a part of who they are.

What are some good things that have come from taking this step?  I appreciate on a deeper level what I have now.  I'm more intentional about being fully present when I'm with my boys. I am more diligent in prayer for them. We still  have our friendships from our other circles and activities.  But we've added a whole new set of friends, acquaintances, and connections to our life.  I feel more engaged in my neighborhood and community.

It doesn't mean that it will be all rosy and perfect.  Because it won't, and already isn't.  But I have peace about being in a position that I didn't expect myself to be in. And I'm so thankful for the One that my peace comes from!

Here are my guys on their first day of public school.