Affirmations
There are days in the life of every homesteader, every homeschooler, every parent, every person, when you question what you are doing. The questions may not be the same for each of us, but for me they look something like this:
Am I doing what is best for my family? Am I being a good leader, a good role model, not only for my own children, but for those around me? Am I doing what God has called me to do? Is homeschooling the right choice? Should we really be homesteading? After all, the life we have chosen for our family is not the easiest. It’s not always the prettiest. I’ve certainly gained a few gray hairs from my choices. And there are days or weeks or months when things just get really tough.
The past two years have most definitely been a time of trial for us. Many times I have prayed for affirmation that we are on the right path, that we are doing what God has called us to do. Lately, I have been receiving a stream of affirmation, and boy does it make my heart sing! God is good, God is great! From family, friends, neighbors, and strangers, I’ve been hearing the things I have so long needed to hear… that we are doing a good job, that we are on track, and that God does love us. It’s easy to “know” these things, but sometimes we just need reminders.
For the days when life is hard, or my plate seems too full, I am reminded of my favorite verse from the Bible:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13
I hope you have a wonderful weekend! We’ll be putting up two posts for Sewing Saturday, so keep your eyes open for that. God Bless you all!
Love~Danielle
3 Comments
The Big Garden and Croft
❤️
Tami Minor
Dannielle, you are such an inspiration to me! Have you ever blogged about your reasons for deciding to homeschool and to homestead? Many people I know who homestead inherited their house and land, so that was a big help. It seems like both decisions serve to separate your family from some of the awfulness in the world. It has to feel so wonderful to put up your own vegetables and gather your own eggs! Your children have to be benefiting from the challenge of the work and the fresh country air! I pray God’s lightens your load, so you can enjoy all these blessings even more.
Spring Lake Homestead
Thank you, Tami! I did write a little about why we homestead in this post: Why Homesteading
But there are probably reasons in there I didn’t write about. As for the homeschooling, I’ve tried, but there are just so many reasons why! Maybe I can try again someday.
You are correct that there is a desire to put space between us and some of the ways of the world. When people think of “sheltering” children, they always say it like it’s a bad thing… like it is a major disservice to them. My personal thought on that is that there are different levels and ways to shelter your children. Protecting young, innocent children from learning about things we feel are wrong or immoral while they are still especially impressionable is not wrong. There is a time and a place for learning about certain things, and I just don’t think kids need to learn all of that while they are still so little. The time will come.
Yes, it does feel wonderful to put up our own food. There is a huge feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction in doing so, and going back to use and eat these things, the feelings return.
Thank you for the prayers!