I am so excited about the things in store for our Titus 2 single women series that is to be continued tomorrow.
Today we are treated once again to glean from Jennifer Ross’ wisdom!
Source: lovesarasophia.com via Jenny
A few weeks ago my husband and I, along with our children, presented this poem to my parents:
Me: “Roses are red,”
Hubby: “Violets are blue.”
Me: “On… about.. September 17th…?”
Hubby: “We’ll have a new grandchild for you!”
This will be our 12th blessing and my parents took it well! When we made this announcement I knew I had about 2 weeks left to get everything in order before the morning sickness set in. After this many pregnancies, I’m familiar with what to expect. At 6 weeks the nausea starts, 6-7 weeks later it’s over, like clock work! The Lord is kind to give me pregnancies that are so similar. Lord willing this one will follow suit.
A few days ago it began and has been increasing ever since. See, I don’t have “morning” sickness for 6 weeks solid. I have “all day” sickness. I am thankful it’s just 6 weeks! And even though I knew it was coming, it’s still quite a change for our large homeschooling family.
Several weeks ago before I knew I was expecting, I began to think I had everything under control. The holidays were behind us, we had just embarked upon the new year, I had spent an entire week planning and organizing, and I was prepared! And confident!
Confident I could be an amazing teacher to each of our children. An amazing keeper at home. Amazing wife. Amazing mother.
Roller skating with the homeschool group? Count me in!
Whip up a meal for a family in need? No problem!
Guest post on a friend’s blog, tomorrow. Sure, why not!
Add a few subjects to the children’s school day? Done!
Amazing? Amazing I didn’t have a nervous breakdown!
Proverbs 16:18 comes to mind:
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
It was pride that had me deceived into believing I could “do it all.” So, the Lord in His goodness stepped in and diverted my course. Thank you Lord Jesus!!
I knew when I saw those 2 pink lines that our lives were going to notably change, and soon! And as elated as I was, I still had those thoughts in the back of my mind… “What about this? What about that? What about the children’s school work?”
Now, it’s been over 2 years that I’ve had constant nausea, as our “baby” turns 2 in a few weeks. And as it turns out our children are still receiving a good education. It just requires me to be flexible. Truly, flexibility is something we always need when educating our own children. God is still there, even when I feel as though I’m failing, as is stated:
“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
And He shall supply all my needs, as well as the needs of my children. I mustn’t focus on the families that have no younger children, or circumstances that rarely change. That’s not my lot in life. I also must remember that if I am careful to focus on my priorities that the Lord will supply all our needs, according to His riches.
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21
Jennifer is the cherished wife of a very visionary man, and a home schooling mother to almost a dozen children. Her deepest desire is to consistently love her husband and children, and to be a diligent and joyful keeper at home. Her favorite pastime is to encourage fellow housewives in their highest calling of wife and mother. When she’s not creating Homemaking DVDs or hosting webinars, she can be found blogging at Renewing Housewives.
