I am an avid reader, a fan of books from when I was little. I remember going into the library at my school and being filled with angst when I could only check out three books. I used to hide the books I wanted to get the next time I came! I remember sitting after lunch and listening to my 4th grade teacher read one chapter of Tom Sawyer , the longing for just one more chapter. I have always read to my kids. Piles and piles of books. I have a list of essentials that I try to structure my days around . Reading aloud is one of those essentials. It gets harder to do as the kids get older. It is hard to read aloud to five children ages 17-4. At times I let it go by the wayside for awhile, but when I feel our family ties are frayed a bit ,I always start reading again. It is not just hearing a good story, reading unites us as a family. There is so much in this world that tries to divide us. Yes, a 17 year old teenage boy and a 4 year old little girl (and all the ages between ) can sit and listen together to The Life of Helen Keller, The Hobbit, Little Britches. I like to think that when the teenagers are no longer here, the little ones will have memories of sitting with their bigger siblings and reading. It is not always easy, we have many distractions but I continue to do it. Sometimes in long stretches,sometimes in short. Reading good books does so much for us. I am reading an excellent book about reading "Read for the Heart" by Sarah Clarkson. I want to give this book to every mom I know! Sarah says we "read to live." Reading awakens our hearts, gives us a strong mind, a steadfast soul. She goes on to recommend the best books for any age level, great living books that feed our soul. Great books that show us beauty, and ultimately point us to God.

So I encourage you to grab a good book , make some hot chocolate and read to your kids ,the big ones and little ones.......

THE READING MOTHER
Strickland Gillilan
I HAD A MOTHER who read to me

Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea,

Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,

"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath

I had a Mother who read me lays

Of ancient and gallant and golden days;

Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,

Which every boy has a right to know.

I had a Mother who read me tales

Of Celert the hound of the hills of Wales,

True to his trust till his tragic death,

Faithfulness blent with his final breath.

I had a Mother who read me the things

That wholesome life to the boy heart brings

Stories that stir with an upward touch,

Oh, that each mother of boys were such.

You may have tangible wealth untold;

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

Richer than I you can never be --I had a Mother who read to me.

Running to Egypt

I recently attended a WholeHeart Mom conference, (http://www.wholeheart.org/). Sally Clarkson was the main speaker and she has been a mentor to me over the years, through her books and blog. I arrived a little weary, as it had been a hard couple of weeks leading up to the conference. I was so encouraged by what Sally shared. As it always seems to happen, the Lord brought similar thoughts from different sources and they all come together at one time. It was a time of renewal for me and a reminder of God's purpose for me as a mom.


One morning I sat with some young moms that had little children. When they heard I had a high schooler in our home school I noticed they were really thirsty for ideas and and thoughts about how we home school. I tried to encourage these moms about the heart of home schooling. Home schooling is not what math you do, how many grammar pages get done, or what another family is doing. Home schooling and mothering is about the heart. It is about the relationships. I tried to share this with these moms (although Sally did a much better job of it later in her talk). Focus on relationship, read great books, spend time together. Of course, it's not that education is not important. I am not saying that at all, but that pointing them to God and helping them to love is much more vital.


I often hear from other moms that they never have time for any Bible, character training, or great stories because math needs to get done. In the past, I have done it myself, we get a few days behind in math and devotions go out the window!! As I was sharing all of this I was chuckling to myself, because it is so easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you are not doing enough or hearing someone else's well meaning opinion on what you should be doing for your child and then falling into despair! I have literally been reduced to tears because an acquaintance told me her child had written an 8 page paper about "The Light Houses of Michigan" and I was immediately thrown into a fit of despair because my children had not written any 8 page reports, let alone one on lighthouses! I was chuckling because just that week I had done the same thing (again)! I was stressed about some comments someone gave me about a child of mine. I immediately felt I had failed this child and he would never make it in life because I had not given him the "proper training."


I want to call these moments my "going back to Egypt" moments. I read in Isaiah earlier in the week and these thoughts stood out to me.

In chapter 30 , He says, "Woe to those who carry out plans that are not mine, who go to Egypt , seek the shade of Egypt, flee on fast horses, rely on Egypt for help , who do not look to the Holy One for help or seek Him." (Is. 30:1, 2 31:1) So often that is what I am doing in my "Egypt moments," running, scared. Trusting in my own understanding. Carrying out my own plans. relying on other voices. Looking for the easier road. Constructing idols of my wisdom, my plans and my pride. Not leaning on Him. He is my sure foundation.

So here are my thoughts on some verses out of Isaiah. This is what I need to fix my eyes on when I want to run and panic.


Come to Him:
Pray, ask , seek , knock. As soon as the Lord hears you He will answer you. This is the way. Walk in it (Is. 30: 19, 21, Ps. 25 : 9-10, 12, 14). He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
The LORD confides in those who fear him; He makes His covenant known to them.


Rest in Him:
Is. 30:15 In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.

Is. 30:18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion, For the Lord is a God of justice, Blessed are all who wait for Him.


Trust in Him:
Phil. 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Is. 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it.


Remember His blessings:
Is. 32:17 The fruit of righteousness will be peace, the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

Is. 33:6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.


I pray that by His grace I will learn each day to trust in Him, remember that He loves us and longs to be gracious to us, and that no matter what issue comes up in our family we will look to Him.

Just a few thoughts from my prayer time and the conference, I hope to post some more thoughts on the conference soon.