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Faces and Change

By on March 25, 2013 Comments { 23 }

I see them every time I go to work, at that intersection downtown. The faces holding cardboard signs.

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Sometimes I make eye contact and smile, but most of the time, I’m ashamed to say that I am thankful for my sunglasses. Needs, or wants? True hunger, or just hunger for a drink? The debate in my brain always ensues. The one thing that I can’t ignore is that these are people. Human beings.

We went down there for the first time, along with the youth group of the church we’ve been attending. Their youth pastor said anyone may come. It was their first time too.

Blessings Under the Bridge

Prayer under the bridge, just before the gate is opened and the feed begins!

We didn’t know what to expect, we only knew that we wanted our boys to see what the world can be like. This world that is so foreign to us is an entirely new solar system for our kids. There is no way for them to fathom in the depths of their young minds what it means to have nothing. A boy without an XBox feels destitute, but a man without a job, a bed, or even breakfast truly IS.

This is the unplanned, life-changing world of heartache and homelessness. It may happen as a result of an addiction or a job loss, a mental illness or a seemingly impossible chain of events. Everyone carries their own reasons for how it happened, but the fact still remains:

No one plans to become homeless.

And this place– this bridge under the freeway– is a place where hope is offered. There are smiles, reunions, and laughter.

Laughter! Something which I never expected to hear under the bridge.

There are prayers offered in Christ’s name, and warm clothing and hot food for the immediate needs. And love.

My husband and boys helping a man load his bike up with the bags of clothing and food.

This place, this blessing under the bridge, it is changing us. Changing me. Each time we go down there, minus the youth group now, just to lend a hand in what God has established there… it is amazing. And the faces holding the cardboard signs? They have names.

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This is my first submission to Yeah Write!  and I’m a little intimidated. You should check it out.

 

Photo Credit: cheerytomato via Compfight cc

categories: Faith

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Sure Has Been Quiet Around Here

By on February 28, 2013 Comments { 3 }

You’ve got that right! I’ve been working very hard, and now I can show you my big project!

Finally, to fill a niche that I’ve long noticed has been absolutely empty, I give you…

ppheadersampleWhat niche needs to be filled so badly, you may ask? The one that no one wants to talk about. That niche that, like a dirty broom closet, stays closed to prying eyes, doesn’t see the light of day in “proper Christian” places… especially not amongst Christian homeschoolers. It is visited far too often but is never discussed.

I’m talking about really tough teenagers.

Not typical teens.

Don’t get me wrong: I know that making your kid get up before noon or get her chores done without nagging can be a real pain. I get that. I’ve been there too.

But what I’m talking about is the internal battle two parents experience when their teen is right on the verge of running away, and they are too afraid to go to sleep so they sit up in the dark, on the couch, praying and listening as he bumps around in his bedroom half the the night. Or the instant panic a mother reaches when she discovers drugs in her daughter’s backpack. Or when the doorbell rings and your son is standing between two police officers, looking angry rather than guilty (the way you’d expect him to look).

These are the kids many of us have. We love them. And God loves them. And we need to reach them again, but first we have to deal with the crap they are throwing at us. (Did I just say crap? Why, yes I did.)

That is Prodigal Planet.

If you’re in need of support, please go there. We have five writers, all experienced parents who have been where you are. You can also follow @ProdigalPlanet on Twitter.

The Momma Knows will still be here, talking about homeschooling and parenting and fun stuff too! The harder things are just getting a new address.

categories: Faith, Home & Family, Homeschooling, Social Media

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Do Not Fear

By on January 30, 2013 Comments { 1 }

Isaiah4110

 

Counting the times when the Word– particularly Isaiah– carried me through the very hardest times, is virtually impossible. Claiming promises, clinging to those… It was survival of the…

Fittest? I think not.

Survival of the desperate.

“Do not fear”, He said.

But how do I not fear? By keeping my eyes fixed on Him.

There’s a scene in Shrek where Donkey and Shrek are crossing  a lava-filled moat on a rickety wooden and rope bridge. As long as Donkey looked at Shrek, he was able to keep moving forward, but when he looked away he stumbled and fell, shouting “I’m lookin’ down Shrek! I’m lookin down!” He was terrified by what he saw.

Fear is a controlling force. Where are you looking? If you’re fearful, look up. He’s holding out His righteous right hand to you.

categories: Faith

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Heavier and Lighter

By on January 26, 2013 Comments { 0 }

Heavier and Lighter ~ The Momma Knows

It comes in phases, the taking on and the letting go. Lately it seems like I’ve been taking things on but have been reluctant to let anything go. I knew something had to go.

When God opens a door to allow something in, something else inevitably must leave. And I have been feeling like things are becoming so heavy lately, and as if this winter will never end.

His burden is light. His yoke is easy. And yet.

And yet I felt as if I were gaining ten pounds a week.

Expectations.

Karate class.

Deadlines.

Math practice.

To-do lists.

Misfit curriculum.

If there’s one thing I am learning, it’s that this blogging thing and homeschooling must have a balance. When I say yes to good things, I miss out on better things. By saying no to good things, the better things just happen without a decision needing to be made.

So I let go of meeting some expectations. I cancelled the duty that went with the deadlines. I started to tackle that long-overdue To-Do list.

And I feel lighter.

Because I love writing and blogging and hanging out with all of you  too much  to let it become heavy or burdensome. My burden is to support parents, not meet other people’s deadlines. My burden is in the sharing of my heart, not in pleasing others or being concerned about what others think of me.

As I’m reading through the Bible right now, and I read about David and how he sought God. How he had to run away and hide in caves, but he pursued God with everything. That’s what I want. I want a faith like that– a faith that doesn’t care about where I am, what I’m doing, or who I’m with because the Lord is right there too.

So I removed the burdens I had, to put my priorities back in order again. Now there is room for the good things, the lighter things.

Do you sometimes take on more than you can manage? And how do you pare things down?

categories: Faith, Home & Family

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