PLANTED AMIDST CARES

Our friends warmly welcomed the entire church to their house.

After I wrote about the idea of faithfulness being radical, a dear friend sent me a link to the 1856 writing of Timothy Shay Arthur.  His piece was so well stated that I wanted to share some excepts with you.   

He points out that we tend feel there is an incompatibility between higher spiritual duties and lower "temporal" duties-- as if the daily things we must do are divorced somehow from the eternal. 

But he encourages us that we have been sovereignly planted amidst these cares and that they are the very materials necessary for our growth.

Sweet signs of fall- and cooler weather made for a great visit.

Timothy Shay Arthur, 1856

"The idea is very general, that the ordinary duties of life are not favorable to the highest developments of character; and we often hear it said, how much we might learn, and how much good we might do — if we only had the leisure time.

People think that all our time is wasted in supplying the ever-recurring needs of the body; those base physical needs — eating and drinking and clothing. We accomplish nothing. It is like pouring water into the sand.

Judah- always contented if he's with Mama.

The round of yesterday is the round of today, and will be the round of tomorrow. And thus life passes; and, when the month or the year has completed its circle, we are just where we commenced; we have nothing to show for all our toil and care.

Who has not felt so? and who has not, at some time, envied those who seem to have the leisure time to cultivate their minds — to help forward plans of public and general interest? Who has not wished that they could be Howards, or Frys — that they might devote their lives to the welfare of their fellows?

Cousin friends. Mercy- you are a kook and we love you!

And then again, there is a deep-seated feeling that the time, strength, and thought we devote to these temporal things is so much abstracted from the spiritual and eternal; and thus there is a perpetual conflict between what we must do or starve — and what we think we ought to do; or, in common phrase, between the world and God.

The consequence is, we perform the greater part of our duties as slaves; these duties are task-work imposed upon us by the hardest of task-masters, necessity.

And, what is still worse, we divest ourselves of the very strength which we need; we put off our heavenly armor, throw away our weapons of heavenly temper, and descend naked and nerveless into the conflict with base cares, strong necessities, physical needs and desires.

Going to the Stapletons? Sarah made sure to grab her new hat!

This feeling of incompatibility between higher and lower duties, has no doubt led thousands to leave the common duties of life, and give themselves up to seclusion, to contemplation, and prayer. But all these mistakes are founded in false notions of religion, of the real nature of natural duties, and the designs of Infinite Wisdom in making them necessities.

We are planted amidst these cares, as the seed is planted in the ground; and for the same reason, that we may come in contact with, and gain access to, the very materials necessary for our growth. These cares, these common duties and employments, are the very stuff out of which the web of life is woven; and the analogy between the growth of the seed and our own development is most perfect.

Cute Leah.

Our life is rooted in natural things; not to lie dead and buried beneath them, but to grow up out of them, and to be rendered stable and abiding by them. The seed cannot grow, unless it is planted; it will dry up or decay; neither can goodness, unless it matures into act.

One may weep over fictitious woes, and indulge in idle fancies of what he would do, if he were not bound down to the earth by burdens and cares. But there is no goodness in such thoughts and visions; they never bear any fruit.

And her little brother, Christopher.

I acknowledge that we often enslave ourselves unnecessarily. Vanity, and avarice, and pride, and ambition, and envy impose burdens upon us, and make slaves of us. They rob us of our strength, our time, and our golden opportunities. But, after making all due allowances for these, the principle remains the same.

Big boy, Cameron.

If the Creator, in his wisdom, had seen fit, He might have so formed us that we should need no clothing, and no food, and no habitation.

But, in his wisdom, He has so formed us, and placed us in such circumstances, that we need all of these; and our highest duties, and noblest life, grow out of these very necessities.

Michaela bonding with Woman.

They were made conditions of our being, that they might become the instruments of a higher life.

There is nothing in them incompatible with the highest culture, and the loftiest attainments in spiritual life.

Hailey pretty much wanted to hold this white chick all day.

Every natural use is designed to be the basis of a spiritual use which is to be rooted in it, and grow out of it.

And the highest wisdom consists in changing these natural things into spiritual; in making our common duties, our every-day employments, those which grow out of the needs of the body, the life of the family, the church, and society, of friendship, and the relations of the individual to communities, and nations — the embodiment of heavenly affections. 

Happy Birthday Morgan! You are such a delight! 

We must anoint them with the precious ointment of unselfish love. That will preserve them from decay, inaugurate them into new life, and give to that which is as fleeting as shadows, and which seems born only for the present — something of permanence and immortality."

Cute Sandi toting a twin!



In our day, as in Arthurs, daily toil can threaten to weary us.  But as we respond in love and faithfulness, these temporal things become things of permanence.   

Blessings,

________________________

Speaking of being planted amidst cares- our truck wouldn't start when we were leaving to go visit our friends!  It is good to know that all things work together for our good and His glory, isn't it?



EACH TREE

"I think that one thing that has made my orchard a success

is that I took individual care of each tree.  What that

particular tree needed it got.  Wife and I were so well

acquainted with the trees that if I wished to mention one

to her, I would say "that tree with the large branch to the

south," or "the tree that leans to the north," etc.


The tree that leaned was gently taught to stand straight
so that the sun would not burn the bark.
This was done by tying it to a stake firmly driven
into the ground on the south side of the tree and from
time to time shortening the string which held it..."

-A.J. Wilder, husband of Laura Ingalls Wilder
My Apple Orchard
June 1912

Michaela, age 12, learning to drive the tractor.

Hailey, age 3, working to bring sticks to Pa's burn pile.

Lydia, age 7, doing her part as well.

Burn pile.

Free time.  Lydia loves the new skill of riding on two wheels!

C'mon in!

Sarah, age 10, chopping carrots for our Homemade Chicken Soup.

Hailey, volunteering to clean the brownie beaters.

Michaela, making stiff peaks for waffles.

I think I want this job...

Reading to the littles.

Maybe this is the better job.  :)

My shopping buddy, Faith.  She's almost 15 and one of my best friends.

How often do simple examples from creation speak to us about our walk?  I realize that my quiet weeks are spent as Almonzo's.  Enjoying the hard work of learning and caring for each individual tree. 


May your orchards be blessed.

DO YOU HAVE A MINUTE?

Do you have a minute?  I know that it is a busy time.  But if my email and what I am hearing around me is any indication, it is also the time of year when homeschool moms are beginning to feel mid year burn out. 

Are you there?

Some of us have had weeks of sickness, resulting in the feeling that we are not where we "should be" in our curriculum; some of us have had a death or some other challenge within the family.  Some of us are beginning to question if we have too many outside activities.  We are stressed, a little lost and feel like we don't even have time to be in the Word.  You are not alone. 

It is easy to fall into discouragement and like we are at the end of our homeschooling rope so to speak.  Wouldn't our kids be better off if... 


If you have begun that sentence in your mind this week, then it is time for fresh perspective. 


1.  We need to be in the Word.  My greatest encouragement to you would be to choose the better thing.  When our minds begin to panic, our first reaction is often to work faster, harder-  pull ourselves up by our boot straps- and get moving!  But the answer is not in ourselves.  We must spend time entreating the Lord- now more than ever.  I have a friend who stops her whole family during the morning at the same time and says, "It's Bible time!" Everyone grabs their Bibles, finds a quiet place and gets in the Word. It eliminates the distractions of people doing Bible at various times.  “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

2.  Remember your goals for home education and nip comparisons in the bud.  Israel Wayne reminds us: "By keeping in mind that we are homeschooling because we want to raise children who love Jesus, we won't be so frustrated when Johnny doesn't understand Phonics or Chemistry." Home education is much more than an academic alternative. It is a disciplining process and the perfect environment for our impurities to rise to the surface so that the purification process can take place.    "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men... and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:8  Also, remember that comparing ourselves to others is never wise. "But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." 2 Corinthians 13:5. 

3.  Be realistic with your time.  This window of time with your children is very small and there are potential pitfalls at each stage.  Every family is unique, but we all only get 24 hours each day.  If you  do not have time to selah; if your children don't have time to be children and if you are too stressed to enjoy one another it may be time to eliminate outside activities.  Look at your schedule and seek to determine if your busyness is drawing you closer to Christ and one another or just wearing you out. 

4.  Consider your own set of circumstances.  If the Lord has given you a new baby, a death in the family, children that need special attention, or even illness realize that God has sovereignly placed these things in your life for a purpose.  Both to conform you to the image of Christ and for your good.  Rest in Him and don't fight against your unique story. 

5.  Seek Christ and do not worry.  Christ said that we are not to worry about what the pagans do.  He does not want us to worry about things critical to life- our clothing or food- and so we understand that this would apply even more to other things- like home education.  While I am all for making goals, school plans and for teaching my children I know that unless the Lord builds the house all of my labors are in vain.  We must first seek His kingdom and righteousness- and everything else will be added unto us. 

"For the pagans run after all these things,
and your heavenly Father knows
that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own."

~ Matthew 6:32-34

I was so encouraged recently, by reading a wonderful post by Sally Clarkson at WholeHearted Homeschooling.  She wrote it to encourage moms to have the right focus at the beginning of the school year, but around this time we all need to hear it again, don't we? 

FROM SALLY



"I have spent the last several weeks speaking at conferences. I constantly meet moms who are trying to homeschool the best way and be sure that their children get it “all”. How blessed your children are to have you as their moms. However, I want to encourage each of you to relax.   Homes have been the place where genius has been birthed, leaders have been made for thousands of years. It was because of the faithful mothers who have trained their children in character, given them chores to do, had discussions over the dinner meal, and read the Bible to their children. I feel so strongly that parents are so intent on getting the “best” experience in education, while not understanding that the most important aspect in a child's education is the mentoring and directing of the parents over the personality, influences, peer relationships, and character development.

So many moms have asked me, “Do you know about this or that two day a week school and how it works and if it will help my child educationally?” I have lived through three of my children graduating and I have seen amazing results in their lives even though we didn't have perfect school days or have consistent schedules. (Seventeen moves, six times internationally, car accidents, illnesses, etc.) Yet, my children have scored at the top on their SAT's, received scholarships or pursued other areas in the arts and ministry where they were able to excel. What is the most important to me, though, is that, by God's grace, our children still love us and listen to us and love the Lord and are seeking Him.

I have been to several national and international leadership conferences in the past year and am sick to find out the statistics of the youth culture—79% of children who grew up in Christian homes leave their Christian faith when they go to college. The appalling statistics of youth who are still virgins by the age of 17 is beyond comprehension. These were just statistics to me until they started turning up in my basement–our kids rec room–friends of my children who had grown up in church and some in homeschool groups who were in tears, confessing to my boys that they were sleeping with their Christian girlfriends and didn't know how to stop and feeling guilty. With the rampant sexuality on tv and on the web and the immoral standards of movies, and the leisure time that children have with other children who are not monitored in their homes–and in your neighborhood, I must say—puts pressure on your children to want to conform and places temptation in their pathway. So the question of schools or not depends on what peers they will become heart connected to–what morals the people in the school have, how emotionally attached they become to those in the school that could lead their heart astray.

In other words, focusing on educational classes primarily is, as I have said in my conferences, “straightening the picture on a wall of a house that is burning down.”

Your goal in education is reaching their heart, filling their emotional cup, teaching them moral foundations, capturing their vision for life for the kingdom of God, teaching them what it looks like to walk through difficult times while holding tight to the hand of God. May God grant you understanding and faith to follow these paths and to raise up a strong generation for Him."

Sally's at Whole Heart.

Blessings to you as you lead little hearts Home,

_________________________________________

Love this- Source.

AM I BEING REAL {or just negative?}

  

  

"older women likewise, that they be...

teachers of good things- that they admonish

the younger women to love their husbands,to

love their children... that the Word of God

may not be blasphemed."

~ Titus 2:3-5

IS THIS NORMAL?

Recently a friend emailed me to ask my opinion on a popular article. Several people had sent the article to her because they thought it would be an encouragement. It was not.


In the article a young mom was rolling her eyes at the older women who tell her to embrace this season of motherhood because it is in fact hard!  She recounts that at the moment one of the older set was encouraging her to enjoy this season her kids were out of control in the store.

One was missing. One was bothering another shopper who was trying to pay for their purchases. And one was eating a lollipop off the ground and had damaged store merchandise.

We are meant to chuckle along and say along with her- yep. That's normal.

Friends- that should not be normal. A bad day- sure.  A sign that training needs to happen at home- absolutely. 

But not a normal part of the climb.

  

Grandma Donna with Tom and the girls

MOTHERHOOD IS NOT A 9-5 JOB


We are supposed to be encouraged by the author's "realness" and agree that the goal is to simply survive each day like anyone else at a 9-5 job.  In fact, my heart goes out to her.  As you know, motherhood is nothing like a 9-5 job. 

God has placed in our arms children who will last forever.  And He expects us not just to hold on to our talent but to multiply it.

I do trust that the author's intentions are good.  She wants stressed out moms to be relieved from the shackles of those who are telling them they should be enjoying this season- because she is struggling.  And she has a couple of good points. 

Foremost, motherhood is real work.  No "working woman" should be able to outwork us.  We work unto the Lord and we have a much higher calling than someone just punching a clock. 

Conforming ourselves to the discipline of raising and disciplining others is not always pleasant at the moment (Hebrews 12:11).  We may have been used to great freedom and indulgence.  As we put our flesh to death it can be difficult.  But we must have a vision of we are moving toward. 
Our pain should not be the result of daily neglect in training but because we are on the front lines of a spiritual war.  We are the ones raising up a generation of warriors and reformers who will champion the principles of God in their time. 

No, people don't approach our husbands and encourage them to "enjoy" their work because we all know there is a world of difference between the two types.  One is necessary for daily bread.  One is eternal.

Grandma sittin' pretty

THE YOUNGER MOM VS. THE OLDER MOM


My concern when reading any "real" rant is the fall out.  In this case, as sweet older ladies approach younger moms, a new "us" and "them" mentality has been forged. 

We have been encouraged to shake our heads at their "lack of memory" and assume these women have early onset of Alzheimer's disease rather than good, old fashioned wisdom that they learned while making the climb themselves.  

Hopefully, if you are a younger mom you will seek out those more seasoned, godly women and as them- - how?

How do I love my husband and love my children like God commands?

How do I train them and have some order so that I don't just feel like I am surviving or that I can't even take them to the store?

The truth is, those older women in your church (and maybe even at your local Target)  do not have amnesia- but often life experience and wisdom. 

Hailey enjoying down hill sliding at Uncle Ted's

PUTTING DARKNESS ON DISPLAY

I can say in all honesty that I am not trying to pounce on anyone specifically- not this author or the moms who chuckled at her story, but I simply want to encourage us to think through this issue of putting "realness" on display and it's implications.

It has become so very popular to blog about our sufferings, our annoyances and any other gritty "realness" we can get our hands on.  Those who have done it can tell you that their readership has increased exponentially.  We are encouraged to share "inner darkness" to encourage others. 



But we must ask-  encourage them to do what?



If we are encouraging others to:  meditate on Scripture and grow in Christ; to have a vision for this important season; to deny self (aka our natural bent) and take God at His Word; to embrace the biblical role of keeping our homes and expanding our husband's vision and the like, then we are on the right path.

However, if we are encouraging women to simply embrace their inner slob; do what feels right at the time; to disregard discipline or the needs of their family.  Or to simply gain popularity.  I would warn that we are on dangerous ground.


Yes, real life drama and putting darkness on display has become very popular-- and as readers we are called to a higher level of discernment. 

  

Tom and his brother Ted supervising kids-- in short sleeves!  Brrr...

Elisabeth Elliot warned that we need to take heed in how we share our struggles:


"We need to be careful lest our eagerness to expose our inner darkness becomes an exhibition or even a celebration that will gain for us an acceptance with those who really do love darkness rather than light.

The man who resolutely turns from darkness to light will not have much popular support. The truth teller, as Socrates predicted long ago, will have his eyes gouged out. So it has been. So it will always be... "

Michaela boarding down little hills- go Kayla!

She continues:

"We don't gouge out eyes nowadays, not in civilized society.

We merely tell the man who turns from the broad road to the narrow that he is hung up, not in touch with his feelings, a do-gooder, a party pooper, holier than thou--any label that will exonerate the rest of us of the responsibility of being Christ-like."

Our newest sweet niece, Bethany Kathleen

  

LET US


God's Word is like a screen door.  It helps us to filter out the bad and welcome in the good.

• Let us be those women who filter everything through the Word of God 
• Let us be careful not to simply co-sign darkness on display.  When you read a blog post or a Facebook status, ask yourself if it's biblical (Phil. 4:8) before you give it your "amen!" and forward it on to your friends
• Let us ask ourselves what the goal of our "realness" is before we post something online- and be honest about the answer
• Let us feed on things that build us up and increase our vision for godly motherhood
• Let us be on guard against what is described in Colossians 2:23- things that have an appearance of wisdom, but are falsely humble and of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Rather, let us encourage one another to love and good deeds in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 10:24). 

Cousin time just means fun multiplied

Blessings friends, 

A lovely resource that encourages a vision for godly motherhood: Tending your Garden by Denise Sproul.

A wonderful audio helping us to:  Think Like a Christian by Douglas Phillips.

We do not receive any reimbursement for our recommendations.

_______________________

Photos from our visit with Grandma (all the way from Washington!) and our sweet extended family.

LEARNING TO SYMPATHIZE

Reformation Celebration 2011.  Cousins Katelyn and Michaela just
after their team won the barrel pushing contest!

"A parent loses his opportunity for good to his child, 
if he fails to have sympathy with this child in that
child's weakness and follies and misdoings.  

It is in every child's nature to long 
for sympathy at the point where he needs it most; 
and when he has done wrong, or is feeling the force of temptation, 
he is glad to turn to some one stronger than himself, 
and make confession of his faults and failures. 

If he comes to his parents at such time, and he is met with manifest sympathy,

he is drawn to his parents with new confidence and new trust." 

- Henry Clay Trumbull

The girl teams had to push the barrels by hand; the boys had to get on to roll theirs!

 

 

 

CHOOSING SYMPATHY


The Lord has been speaking to my heart about the value of sympathy.  The above quote has been continually brought to mind day after day and week after week.  And as I read the Word my thoughts continually go back to one word:  Sympathy.

Isn't it kind of the Lord to not only show me the importance of this area, but to give me no shortage of opportunities to show sympathy at the same time?

Earlier this week as I planned to carve out just a few moments to work on this post one child bounded in my room asking me to read with her.  I agreed and put my laptop aside.  As I picked up my nearby coffee to take a sip I heard a crash-  she had knocked over the lamp at the side of my husbands bed (for the second time in the past few days).  Broken glass from the light bulb was on the carpet.

Then, before I had the chance to respond, another daughter ran in exclaiming, "Oh good.  You are on your bed.  Your bed is so cozy!" she hollered as she dove right on- knocking into my arm and spilling my coffee all over my white comforter.
I did my best not to respond at all at that moment.  As I took the comforter off my bed to place it into the washing machine I closed my eyes and thought: Sympathy.  I smiled.  This was an opportunity.

Sometimes- often- I find that sympathy is a choice.  And something I am working to cultivate in greater measure.

The Reformation play.  Faith (Isabeau) caught in the woods and sentenced to

imprisonment for ministering to the Protestants.

THE HABIT OF SYMPATHY


I say that I am working at cultivating sympathy, because there are times when I do not feel it naturally.  And there are plenty of times when I fail to be sympathetic. 

Today I failed.  I asked one of the girls to water our strawberries and when I looked outside she was watering a rock.  A rock.  In an area that I had spent quite a bit of time weeding just a few days before.  A few inches over were the strawberries- as parched as ever.  But that rock... well, it was getting all the attention.  And I did not feel very sympathetic.

I hollered out the back door asking what she was doing and you know- I believe she had no idea why she was doing what she was doing.  She was just experimenting.  Making her own waterfall.  And although she needed guidance- she also could've used a little sympathy.

Just as with other good habits, practice makes progress.  I see the value in choosing to be sympathetic with our children's weaknesses and being the person they can trust with their failings and hurts. 

The Lord helping me, I need create a habit of sympathy.  

Fun friends- Morgan and Michaela (M and M)

SYMPATHY BUILDS HEART BRIDGES

I have really been amazed at the power of sympathy in wooing and winning the hearts of my children. 

Recently two children had a conflict.  As I met with both girls individually with this thought of sympathy in mind I found it to be such a bridge between our hearts.

 

A conflict that could have ended simply as an irritant became the Sovereign grit that worked to smooth and polish their hearts for His glory.  By being sympathetic- both with their failings and with their hurts- I had entered into their world. 

I had gone beyond patiently waiting for an explanation so that I could dole out a punishment to really hearing where they were.  And as I did that, something amazing happened.  They become exceptionally reasonable.  There were no walls or defenses up and they could hear my counsel easily.  As I shared a perspective from God's Word they knew the truth of it and were even thankful for His wisdom in allowing conflict.  There was genuine repententance and an anxiousness to reconcile.

 

There is power in sympathy.

As the girls worked on their daily writing assignments this week I found the following worked into their papers:

"Mama is sweet and she builds people up...  I thank God for her every day."

"My mom is the best mom there is... If I am having trouble we can talk about it."

No, I did not pay them to write sweet things about me...  I would have, but it didn't cross my mind.  ;)   This was all due to the power of sympathy- and the Lord helping me to employ it. 

I can think of plenty of times when I have not been as sympathetic as I wish I had (cringe).  But how thankful I am for the Lord's mercy and the opportunity to begin again each day.

There is power in sympathy.  It is the power to build heart bridges. 

 

Part of the cast from the Reformation play- our wonderful director (Joel) in the center. 

These are such great kids.  Really great.

A BEHAVIORAL PROBLEM


The other day while our children were playing at a park, my husband was talking with another father. The father was complaining that his son was a real behavioral problem. Within minutes the little boy (about 4 or 5 years old) was crying. It appeared he had fallen down in the bark. "Is your leg broken?" the father shouted across the play yard? "Are you bleeding?" he continued. "Get up and stop crying." the father commanded. The little boy turned his head and quieted his crying. The father laughed and shrugged off this interruption to his conversation. 

A few moments later one of my daughters ran up to me and quietly explained that the little boy had not just tripped- he been pushed off the platform which was about five feet off the ground by another child. And when he had hoped for sympathy and tenderness by someone who cared- he was mocked publicly for his crying in front of the bully who had injured him.

Ouch. We can all relate to this.  By that I mean that as parents we have all misjudged a situation at some time or another.  My desire is not to judge that father- in fact, you may notice that I rarely use examples of others failings in my writing (I have enough of my own). 

But I wondered, could it be possible that some of this little boy's "behavioral problems" might be mended by a small dose of sympathy?

Fun loving cousins- Lydia, Mercy and Hailey.

CAN WE BE TOO SYMPATHETIC?

I know that we worry about the implications of being overly sympathetic with our children- especially boys. If we sympathize with them when they are injured we fear that we will create whiny, wimpy children who run to Mama for every little offense, right?  And isn't there a place to say "shake it off"?  Absolutely there is. 

Once we know the scenario, we might need to ask our kiddos to stop crying or shake it off.  Once we know the scenario...

 

And I hope you realize that I am not suggesting that we should ever reward spoiled or demanding behavior or overlook disobedience.  Not at all.  Not ever.  We cannot overlook issues and call it grace.  That is not grace- it is negligence.  But sympathy doesn't over look.

 

Sympathy is a spirit needed in times of childish foolishness; when a child is struggling with temptation; in times of injury and when a child has failed and is in need of being restored. 

It is a sincere concern for our children's souls and creates a strength of character, not a wimpy character.

Instead of a child needing to demonstrate how hurt they are for an ounce of attention, we let them know we are concerned and on their team right off the bat. 

When enter into their troubles and concerns, we win the opportunity to direct their hearts toward godliness and they will hear us when we let them know this is one of those times to shake it off. 

  

We can be too hands off- ignoring what is really happening- but we cannot be too sympathetic.

Faith (left) played Isabeau a brave Huguenot who ministered to the needs of the saints and her friend Kelsey (right)played a heartless aristocrat who relished in the sufferings of the Huguenots.  Kelsey is a real sweetie in real life.

BEARING ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS-  IT'S THE LAW


We need to guide and correct our children often.  We live in a fallen world.  But as I was working through this idea of sympathy it occurred to me that this might also be called bearing one another's burdens.  Which happens to fulfill the law...

^"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression,

you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.

Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 

Bear one another’s burdens, and  so fulfill the law of Christ." 

Galatians 6:1-2

John Mac Arthur says this about bearing one another's burdens:

"The troubles of this world are manifold and relentless...  We worry. We grieve. We stumble. We strain under the toil of our daily labors. We feel the guilt of our fallen condition. Meanwhile, we are assaulted with adversities of various kinds. Those are just a few of the many worldly burdens that frequently keep our thoughts from rising to heaven.

Paul made this duty (of bearing one another's burdens) a high priority. It was the centerpiece of his admonitions to the Galatian churches. The first half (or more) of Galatians is a defense of justification by faith and a series of arguments against the false teaching that threatened to place those churches in bondage to the Law. In Galatians 5:14 he reminded them: “The whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

How is that love best manifest? “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (6:2).
The first and preeminent example of burden-bearing Paul mentions involves dealing with the burden of another Christian’s sin. “If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (v. 1). That, of course, isn’t a different approach from the steps of church discipline Jesus outlined in Matthew 18:15–17. It merely explains how that process is to be carried out (gently and meekly), and it underscores the true goal (restoration, not punishment or public rebuke per se).

Sarah and her sweet friend Eve.

In other words, the person restoring the sinning brother isn’t to approach him as if he were a master over him but meekly — as one who is willing to help shoulder the burden so that the one who has stumbled can get to his feet again.

Verse 2 then simply states the underlying principle as an imperative (“Bear one another’s burdens”). Obviously, the precept applies to all kinds of burdens — not merely the burdens of those who stumble into sin. When Paul suggests that burden-bearing “fulfill[s] the law of Christ,” he makes it clear that he has the whole moral law in view. Every act of compassion and self-sacrifice on behalf of our brethren is a practical means of displaying the love of Christ and thereby fulfilling the moral demands of His law...

Do you want to fulfill the moral requirements of the Law? Love your neighbor. How do you love him? By bearing his burdens.

It’s interesting that Paul would emphasize this theme in an epistle written to confront people who were falling into legalism. It’s as if he were saying, “You want to observe a law? Let it be the law of Christ. If you have to impose burdens on yourselves, let it be through acts of love toward your neighbor.”
 

Is that not often the job of parenting- gently restoring our children?  It is a fulfilling of the law.

Our three oldest girls at dress rehearsal.

THE MOST IMPORTANT CHANGE

The following inscription is found on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in Westminster Abbey:

“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits,

I dreamed of changing the world.

As I grew older and wiser I discovered the world would not change –

So I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country,

but it too seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing

only my family, those closest to me,

but alas, they would have none of it.

And now I realize as I lie on my deathbed, if I had only changed myself first,

then by example I might have changed my family.

From their inspiration and encouragement I would then have

been able to better my country,

And who knows, I might have even changed the world.”

We love these brothers.

 

There are traits we so desire to see in our children. Grace, patience, kindness- even sympathy.

But I wonder if they first need to be seen in us. 

 

Game spectators on hay bale seating.

 

 

 

Blessings friends,

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Photos:  From our Reformation celebration.  This year our attention was focused on the French Huguenots (from whom we are descended) and their persecution following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes which had granted them some religious freedom.  By studying persecution we hope to prepare our children and ourselves in advance for persecution that will surely come to each of us in some form or another.  "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..."  2 Timothy 3:12. 

 

A statue at the cemetery marking the St. Bartholomew's massacre.