Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Crazy

As I grow in my faith and knowledge of the Lord, I often become inclined to make major changes in my life. At this stage, they usually, but not always, have to do with the way that I raise my children.

As I came to better understand the sovereignty of God, my husband and I decided that we wanted to raise our children in a church where the truth of the scriptures was upheld and not watered down. This required a denominational switch which was difficult for some who love us to understand. They kind of thought that we were crazy.

As I've learned more about what God desires for families, and my role to train them up in his nurture and admonition; I've felt compelled to homeschool my children. I'm not saying that I believe this is a scriptural requirement, I just felt that I could personally be most obedient by homeschooling my own. Now, people who love us worry a little. Are we gonna end up looking like we just stepped off of the pages of "Little House on the Prairie?"

As I study the word and learn about God's requirements of us, I see no excuse for youthful rebellion which is so commonly accepted as 'normal' and 'okay' by many members of the faith. I'm not saying that I believe I can prevent my children from rebelling. But, I will raise them as Christians and expect for them to live like Christians. If my children rebel, then my husband and I will do all we can to call them back to the Lord, even if this involves seeking help or discipline from the church leadership. Rebellion will never be considered normal or okay. I know, now they all think that I'm totally nuts.

As I read the word, and believe it; as I grow to love my Lord more and more; I can't help but change the way that I do things. To some it may look like I can't make up my mind, but to me it's called sanctification. God is working in me to produce a person who will, one day, be like Jesus. It's a slow process, for I've got a lot of sanctifying left to go through. So, as I'm faced with awkward silences or the rolling of eyes from people that I love, I turn to the one who loved me first. It is him and him alone who I am called to please. And, he warned me that this would happen when he told me that:

"If you were of the world, the world
would love you as it's own; but because
you are not of the world, but I chose
you out of the world, therefore the
world hates you."
John 15:19

So, they think that I'm crazy. I guess that's not quite as bad as hating me. And, since it's for his glory, I'll cling to him and let him carry me through it looking forward to the day when all will be as it ought.

10 comments:

  1. Hi. I've been lurking for awhile, reading your blog, so I thought I'd "de-lurk" myself. :) Keep being crazy--besides the obvious benefits to your kids, you're also teaching them, through your example, how to respond when people think you are crazy. That is a HUGE life lesson which many people never learn. Keep pressing on. I love your blog. :)Jennifer in Illinois

    www.jenniferlaynescorner.spaces.live.com

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  2. Oh Kendra, I can so relate to this post! My husband and I have also switched denominations, started homeschooling, gone to elders for help with our children(boy was that funny!)Yes, we are considered strange by our families, and many that we used to worship with...
    All for His glory!

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  3. I can relate to all of this. We have gone through much of this w/my family. I am thankful for how God is working in our lives to understand Him and His Word better.

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  4. Excellent thoughts, Kendra. May God bless you and your husband in your endeavors as you raise your children for His glory.

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  5. Joining you on the crazy train! :)
    Kendra, you are such a great writer, have I told you that? I am always amazed at how clearly you state everything - it reminds me of how muddled I am! But it also clears the way for me, and for that, I thank you. :)

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  6. Take heart in knowing in knowing that the Lord sees your obedience, and that His opinion is the only one that matters. When we started our HSing journey the majority of our family thought we were crazy, but have since come to tolerate it and even carry on a civil conversation about it. Keep perservering through your sanctification. Enjoying your blog.
    Blessings,
    Trina

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  7. I find myself looking in the mirror while reading a lot of this post. I was raised in a very secular home and so my decisions made for the Lord to benefit my family have come up with some opposition. Thanks for posting so beautifully about what many of us feel on a daily basis.

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  8. Fantastic Post. And if this is crazy, I'd rather not be normal!

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  9. kendra- keep on.....like Trina said, it is only God's opinion that really matters. I've had to cling to the same as my husband's family aren't really Christians and i have been told out right by my MIL that some of my parenting policies stink. but i look at the fruit of how i am raising my son and tend to think otherwise.....

    thank you for being bold....

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  10. You know, its not even so much the things that we are protecting them from (although that plays a role too) but its about what we are imparting to them in order to live an overcoming life and be used to further the kingdom of God.

    I like many of the other ladies here can relate to this post.

    Blessings,
    Theresa ♥

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