We’ve had a number of “family firsts” recently. Our son is dancing competitively this year with a team at our local dance studio. This past weekend he participated in his first competition, and the team won a first place trophy with their ballet performance and a gold medal for their jazz performance. He was so excited, and though stressful in getting everyone in place for him to dance at 8 a.m., we had a fun time as a family.
The youngest lost her first tooth. She was so nervous about losing a tooth until she wouldn’t let anyone touch it to check its progress. I kept trying to placate her by showing her how skilled her brother was at the “tooth care” process (he’s lost 3 in the last 2-1/2 weeks), and talking about the fact that losing teeth is a part of how our bodies are divinely designed. She kept saying with all the faith and innocence of a 4-year-old, “I sure wish this wasn’t a part of God’s plan.” Well, she was playing with her brother when POW! Out pops the tooth. All I can hear from downstairs is him as the veteran running around with her, equally excited, trying to get her to the bathroom to rinse, and trying to bag the tooth for the “tooth fairy”, who, between the two of them, is now happy for her part-time job. The youngest is yelling, “My tooth came out! My tooth came out!” Now the same child who wouldn’t open her mouth when asked wants to show off her open space to everyone, and is looking forward to the next one coming out, which looks as if it’s only a few days behind the first.
I had a first, too—turning down an opportunity to make more money. I took a part-time position last fall teaching a couple of secondary-level classes at our local homeschool store. Though the experience has been rewarding, I chose not to return. My husband and I were talking about some of what I was sacrificing to meet this commitment–writing, family ministry, and just spending time with the Lord—and Rick Warren’s words from The Purpose Driven Life hit like a ton of bricks. It might be good, but this is not where I’m supposed to be. Yet, I have to admit that saying no thank you to the chance to return next school year was hard. The money wasn’t much, relatively speaking; praise God that since I came home, we’ve not skipped a financial beat. Talk about the Lord supplying as He gives direction. We now tithe as much as my husband made at his first job. Anyway, the issue was moreso the idea of walking away from cash money. I came from two very hard workers who were children during the Great Depression, and I’ve never been taught to walk away from the chance to make a few extra ducats. I also thought of the many homeschooling families who struggle to educate their children at home and maintain a household. Am I looking a gift horse in the mouth? Am I closing the door to a blessing? So in my humanness, wavering after being very clear in my direction, my last words to the director were, if you reeeeeally need me, I’ll come. So much for that. She let me know that she’d found two replacements for me already. They call that confirmation where I’m from. So after I dusted off my ego, I laughingly thought about my parents, who are probably taking turns rolling over. Thankfully, I’m at peace that I’ll get to share with them one day what the Lord did once I set my sights back on Him and His plans for me.
Good for you! I once gave up my teaching job, and we lost $40,000 income. But God has taken care of us completely. I don't live comfortably (which can be difficult and uncomfortable). But we see God's love and provision always.
It is truly amazing to watch our God work in situations such as this. I don't think you'll regret the decision.
Janet
I can relate to your post on so many levels. First of all, I am also one who has a really tough time saying "no" when the cause is very good. I also get overwhelmed pretty easily and wonder "what's wrong with me? I'm not doing THAT much, am I?" 🙂 I'm glad you got your confirmation, so you won't have to continue wondering if you're doing the right thing.
I'm on the fence about something similar. I've been an adjunct instructor for almost 10 years – HSing for 3 1/2. I keep getting this "feeling" that the Lord wants me to re-direct that time and energy. I'm not sure how, but it's become a question in my heart with the end of each semester.
If your main focus is the Lord, He will direct you every time. And if he leads you to it, He'll surely bring you through it. Prov. 3:5-6
Hi 🙂 I felt the same when I first started my nature blog. I wasn't sure if I would be able to handle yet another blog and would I have enough stuff to keep it interesting and going! But I was so inspired by other nature bloggers that I had come across that had them devoted just to nature stuff I just had to start one *grin* I love taking photos so I could easily fill it up with just pictures. LOL. and in the beginning I though that I HAD to post regularly but now I just do it when I have something really good to share which is usually once a week and that is enough I think although sometimes I have more to share 🙂 If you do it, do it for yourself and your son who is studying birds, I find if you worry to much about making your readers happy then it won't be fun and you want to have fun! Have fun watching your bird feeders 🙂 So much pleasure can come from just simply watching those little feathered friends flit around *grin* If you do decide to start up a nature blog let me know, I would love to see what you are up to 🙂 Thanks for stopping by mine to say hi!
Blessings,
Nature Mama aka BChsMamaof3
Yep. Sounds like confirmation to me. LOL!
Sounds like new and wonderful things are happening in your home. Congratulations to your ds on his competition. Great job! Losing teeth. (sigh) Our dc are growing u,p aren't they?
Kysha
http://humblemama.blogspot.com
Congratulations to your Mr Dance!!
That's a cute story about your daughter. My son was begging me the other day to tie a shoelace to his tooth and the doorknob, so it'll come out faster! What he wouldn't do for the toothfairy.
Congrats to your son on the dance competition.
My kids lose their teeth late, like not until they are 7 or 8. My 8 year old just lost his 2nd tooth last week. My 4 yr old gets to excited and starts saying that he is losing a tooth, too. Um, no, he's not. But we play along. They get a milkshake date with one parent when they lose a tooth.
It is hard to say no sometimes. I'm sure you made the right decision, though. You got a lot going on as it is.
Blessings,
tracy
Ok this post was hilarious. Your babygirl sounds like Sara and her teeth!
Ducats…I Love It!! I know the feeling…walking away is hard sometimes. Thank God for His awesome ability to help us make the move we need to make when we need to make it. Good for you!
That is my favorite age and my favorite pictures. I hope you take a lot of them. I know the Lord will bless you for following His lead, He always does.
I am praying for your state as you enter into the choosing of our President. I love how God chooses to use us to fulfill Romans 13.
because of Jesus, Bobbie