The Mission Field of the home

I read two books by Sally Clarkston "The Mission of Motherhood" and "The Ministry of Motherhood" and thoroughly enjoyed them. The books were really neat in speaking softly to the voice on the inside of many mothers. While many people are not religious, please take a moment to read beyond and hear the heart of this post.
When missionary's go our into the world, they goal is to bring a message to people that have never heard it before. They understand that before people are ready to hear that message, those people must first have their basic needs met. This is why most mission trips begin with the installation of water treatment facilities, food pantries, or schools and orphanages. Once those basic needs are taken care of, people are ready and open to heart your message. This is known by both saints and tyrants. Go into any area controlled by drug lords or mobsters and you will soon find the generous donations these people make - huge investments in forgotten areas. Once they invest - they generally have safe havens for crime and a ready slew of "foot soldiers" to carry out their bidding. So, this isn't a foreign concept on any soil. Most people with hearts set on winning the lost and better the lives of people know that one must be gentle, kind, caring, compassionate, and patient. Missionary work can be hard, dangerous, at times thankless, and a full life investment. You aren't thinking about sneaking away for a day on the beach or the hole up in a five star hotel - you live right along with the people you are serving, you eat last, you go to bed last, and you bear the weight of the responsibility of the people in your care.
This is why I like the concept of seeing ones home as a mission field. These people, these children - are not born with the knowledge of your culture or customs, don't have completely innate skills for survival and the ability to thrive in their environment. It is you with the burden to first feed and clothe them, then bring them into the knowledge.
When I look at my home as my mission field - it really opened my eyes. This is my ministry, my calling, my circle of influence. My charges are three of the most beautiful, compassionate, loving, caring, and kind people in the entire earth - and I have been trusted with their care. My husband and I have been chosen - out of billions of options - to look after these three. To teach them, instruct them, guide them, develop them, and most importantly, to love them. It was then that it became clear that I was not allowed to pass this responsibility off on others. I could not subcontract this responsibility. While I might "hire out" for a couple of tasks (hey, if you can't make a water purification system - you had better make sure you have someone on the team that can) - it should be occasional. However, the end results, the day to day operations, the heart and soul of it all rests with us.

What is a child worth?

Like most of the people in this country today, I am still trying to come to terms with the "not guilty" verdict in the Casey Anthony murder trial. Most upsetting is the fact that her defense was that her precious child died "accidentally" and and she and her father hid the body - threw her baby non-apologetically in in the woods and walked away to go party and "get on" with life. Wow - that is your defense! And knowing that this defense actually set her free is making my mind spin wildly. Is this what we have come to? Are children so useless, so unloved in this society that we find it acceptable to just toss their dead bodies into creeks?
In yet, I see a lot of the value placed on children when people speak to me of my decision to come home. Why waste your gifts and talents? Waste? Really? Who best deserves my gifts and talents but my children? Who most deserves my time and my attention but my children? Who most deserves my blood, sweat, and tears buy my children?
I am investing in today and generations from now by ensuring my children are raised and educated in an environment filled with love, direction, encouragement, and yes some selfless sacrifice. I often think about the scripture in Matthew 7:11 and Luke 11:13 - "which both start with: if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children". Wow, think about that! Being evil, or "imperfect" there was still a human condition of wanting the best for your children. We have sunk so low that we aren't even capable of that.
I have been utterly shocked and amazed by the people who find it repulsive to even consider staying home and parenting as well as educating their children. I have been told by friends and colleagues that even if they didn't work, they would still put their youngest children in daycare. They can't imagine being home with the child they birthed. So, I am less shocked in the Anthony not guilty verdict. Many people want their children out of their hair, out of their face, out of their lives - even if for only 8 - 10 hours every day.

The Fourth of July

I am always struck by the things considered "controversial" today. I actually left a FB group over the celebration of July 4th. As a proud American and born and breed member of the U.S.A., I never would have guessed people would question any American's decision to celebrate the 4th. Yes, during the first 4th there were some people still in the ugly, horrid bondage's of slavery. Given my ancestral background, it may have even been some distant relatives of mine. That is a very ugly scare on this nation's history. While we should never forget that time, lest we forget it - at some point forgiveness, acceptance, and moving on is important as well.
I never experienced the shackles of slavery, nor did my neighbors hold in their hands a whip. How can I judge them for a pain they didn't inflict, a pain I didn't experience. I have decided to let God be a judge of the past, and do what was specifically demanded of me in scripture - to LOVE my neighbor. In the twisted, meddled, and melted pot of the United States - it wouldn't be ironic to find slave owners as well as slaves in my family tree. My neighbor has just as much possibility of finding both branches in their own. Since it is impossible to sort out completely today - why not just look at each other as family. Family understands the imperfections in one another, yet chooses to love each other anyway.
So, to my homeland - with all her imperfections: Happy Independence Day. For I can't think of another place I would rather be at this moment.

Why so many love working

Okay, I am going to let people in on a little secret. I know why so many people find my decision to come home to my children so hard to grasp. Here I was, a "professional" - why would I "waste" my gift by leaving the workforce and homeschooling three little kids?
The real reason this is such a shock is because they know what I know - work is fun! No, not always the "job" part of work - the atmosphere! Work is great. Work is like high school without all the burdensome rules and homework. Plus, everyone is an adult!
Let's admit it, kids make us act better. There is just some things you don't say and don't do in front of kid. There are some conversations you just don't have and there are no kids at work. Especially work environments away from the public - oh boy!
Its not just the dishy gossip full of affairs, office romances, and "who said what". There are also the celebrations. You get cake on your birthday! As parents we know you never really get to choose your own cake flavor at home - someone is allergic to nuts, another can't stand strawberries, etc. Not so at work - everyone is an adult and if they don't like German Chocolate Cake too bad - its your birthday! Not to mention the awards and recognition for a job well done. Get a report in on time - you just might an emailing acknowledging your valiant efforts inspite of bureaucracy. Do good for a year - a glowing evaluation. Hey, there may even be money attached to it.
At work you get to great a persona for yourself that is of your own making. Finally able to leave behind the "old you" who was akward or lost being homecoming queen. No, you get to be the new and improved you. And, by the way, people even recognize when you approve a little along the way. Lose ten pounds - several people will say how good you look. Change you hair color or hair style - 10 people come by stating how nice you nice.
Yes, its hard leaving the den of self-congratulations. The place where they will be a party at least once a month with cake and lots of bad foods you would never let your children see you eating. And by the way, you get to bring in the casserole your family hates but you love!
Honestly, I knew it wouldn't be the "work" that I missed; I did wonder about missing the comrade re though.  I am a talker and I worked in an office of talkers. There were people in my office who read the same books I liked, we could talk politics and how to save the world. It was fun.