Bug pleaded for train ride instead of a party for his birthday. The months of waiting faded away while his imagination raced along the tracks.

Wordless Wednesday

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Dana has some great topics prepared, and a special guest from Germany will discuss her quest to homeschool in a country that forbids it.

I apologize for the late notice, but hope you will be able to make it. The show will be available online afterward in case you miss it.

Update: The show is now available here. There are a few moments of silence while Dana experienced technical difficulties, so forward through those. Also, some caller’s mind went blank when the host asked her for any comments or questions. (grin)

The interview with a true pioneer for homeschooling in Germany is worth the wait though. Rina is well-spoken and ready to do any little bit she can to see liberty advance. You don’t want to miss her story!

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Grab some tissue and be encouraged by the answer.

(Click here if you cannot see the video.)

Thanks, Angie.

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This realm of home and family and children seems so safe. It is an atmosphere I create and manage. The tasks are completed day after day, week after week. I am comfortable here looking for joy in the mundane and hope in the difficulties, perhaps too comfortable.

Distractions encroach pretending to be innocent tasks while consuming my moments. Years pass in these unnoticed hours, and they cannot go by unbalanced and scattered. Denying my own selfishness with excuses scratches skin and allows more germs penetrate my thoughts. Inadequacy and failure sting.

Then my 4-year-old daughter clobbers a 2-year-old for taking her vacation Bible school craft that says, ironically, “We can share our toys.”

I receive the report from a friend, the friend whose 2-year-old received the beating. And I wonder anew at the power of forgiveness and grace. There is no pride to cover the anger of a 4-year-old soberly confessing a bad day.

The facade crashes around me, and I am humbled. My good habits obscure the battle in my mind from the majority. Am I trying to hide the truth from myself as well?

You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself…(2 Corinthians 10:7)

The thoughts will be purged. They are part of the clutter and distraction which opens my soul to destructive ideas that pry at my resolve. Absurd ideas that never should have stuck must be abandoned, but I cannot do it alone.

But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord, for it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends. (2 Corinthians 10:17-18)

Pride is not commendable, nor is it powerful enough to displace the lies. I clearly see the neglect of daily considering.

Forgiveness and grace emerge again when my 4-year-old cries at the realization of hurting her friend. Through her sobs she scribbles a note my heart deciphers,

I love you. Please forgive me.

Followed by jubilant hugs and wrongs forgotten. It is a new day.

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Forgiveness is powerful. When I determined to think about the good, love, grace, and even joy fell out of tangled webs of distraction and guilt. My parents desired the best for me. They sacrificed new cars, clothes, wishes, and untold amounts of sleep on my behalf.

My heritage is not all good or all bad. It is as life, a mixture of both.

Storm in the Rocky Mountains

When I introduced my son to history, I described it as the story of God working in the lives of men and nations. We read Psalm 77:15, “You are the God who works wonders…” He was enthralled and composed a heartfelt song,

God, you are so good to me. God you set me free, so I worship you.

That was not my response as a child in school. I often heard of the terrible acts of men, war and hate. Historic heroes disrobed grade by grade. Was there another story?

My quest to find the answer led me to the Principle Approach. I rejoiced in the large, red volume containing facsimiles of the writings that influenced the thoughts of colonial Americans. Another side of my national heritage emerged from the dark. The heritage of hard work, diligent study, enduring faith, and love of liberty squeezed through clouds of disdain for selfish slaveholders only caring about money.

Principle Approach is often criticized for only focusing on American history. I see how that perception emerges. The excitement of reading what William Bradford or George Washington actually said is such a contrast to reconstructed history it is tempting to focus solely on the glory of America’s founding. That glory is not because the men and women involved were perfect, but because the value of the individual gained a fuller expression. A government created to protect the innocent with liberty and justice for all.

Our heritage is passed down to us. Our challenge is to decide what to do with it. Will we focus of the selfishness of men, worship imperfect patriots, or try to recreate the past? Instead, let’s hate what is evil and cling to what is good. In doing so, we may discover our heritage is indeed beautiful. (Psalm 16:6)

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