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.