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April 2004 ETC Corner
Tips on Overcoming Worry in the Uncertainties of Life
By Sharon Glasgow, certified speaker
The past few years have strengthened my faith in times of uncertainty. Four years ago one of my five daughters, Hannah, got Rheumatic Fever. She went from sick, to critically ill, to doctors wondering if she would pull through. The illness lasted for a year and a half. She was so weak, she could not walk. We never knew what each day would bring, and so we prayed a lot. After a year and a half, Hannah began to regain her strength. Last year she was able to return to school again.
Right behind her illness, we lost our family business that we had owned for 19 years. Along with that we lost our savings, retirement money, and had to lay off the wonderful employees that we love. We had two daughters in college, three at home, and didn't know where our next mortgage payment or groceries would come from.
Tears fill my eyes as I tell you God is able to fulfill all your needs! I am so humbled by His abundance provided in our times of trouble. I am proud to say He is my God and my fortress. Lean on Him and He will do more than you ever dreamed possible. Have faith when the road gets scary, sisters, and here are some tips to remember when you are hit with worry and uncertainty.
1. God gives us His promises during our time spent with Him. On the mountaintops and in the quiet times, He seals our covenants with great and tender words.
2. Then, He steps back and allows the trials to come. The testing will seem to contradict everything He promised.
3. Remember, God does not remove the treacherous circumstances before we feel the pain. It is in the treacherous times that He reaches out His hand and guides us faithfully through.
4. Believe God for what He told you in the quiet times and on the mountaintops. Now is the time your faith will win the crown.
5. God is abundantly able to do all things. He can summon the most unexpected reinforcements and resources at any moment to help you. His timing is impeccable! What we think would be perfect timing rarely is. Trust in Him when you are blinded by uncertainties that overwhelm, for He is able.
6. Once you get through the trial you will rejoice knowing that you could never have understood God's faithfulness so fully in your comfortable surroundings.
Connection Rituals
By Rachel Olsen, certified speaker
Do you long for a closer-knit family? Family connection rituals encourage closeness by creating everyday opportunities for family bonding. They're also quick and easy to do! Kissing family members hello or good-bye each day, leaving notes or cards in lunch boxes or briefcases, reading stories or saying nightly prayers together, are all great examples of connection rituals any family can do.
Meals offer another prime-time for family connection. Sharing breakfast before embarking on a busy day, and reconnecting over dinner at the end of it, has long been a recipe for a united family. Mom can also take a few minutes to prepare an appetizing after-school snack. This, like all mealtimes, is an excellent time to strike up some fun or meaningful conversation with loved ones.
Connection rituals draw hearts towards home and enhance the rhythm of daily life. They stand as a small refuge of predictability and comfort in our often hectic and stressful day. Are there ways you can build more connection into your daily family routines? The result just might be the closer-knit family you are longing for.
School Choice: Tips for Getting Started in Homeschooling
By Rachel Olsen, certified speaker
Homeschooling is an education option rapidly gaining in popularity, particularly in the Christian community. The reasons parents chose to homeschool are as varied as the families doing it. Also numerous are the resources available, and the methods one can use to home school. Most any family can find an approach to homeschooling that will meet its needs, provided they have the heart-level desire to make it work.
In the midst of round the clock feedings, diaper changes, and potty training, I often felt I was living for the day both my kids would be in school Monday through Friday. I couldn't wait for more time to myself in a quiet, more orderly home! That day has still not come. Instead I have been homeschooling for the last two years and I am quite pleased with the results and the lifestyle it has afforded our family. If you are contemplating giving homeschooling a try, here are some well-ordered tips for getting started.
1. Pray and seek God's will for your family concerning your children and their schooling options. Ask the Lord to lead you in the path He desires for your family. Ask him to provide everything you need to successfully walk in that path.
2. Go to your local library or bookstore and get several books to read up on homeschooling so you can make an informed decision. You will learn about the many benefits of homeschooling and the various approaches to doing it.
3. Learn your state's homeschooling laws or requirements. These will vary from state to state. One way to find out is to contact the Home School Legal Defense Association at (540) 338-5600 or at www.hsldo.org.
4. Talk with the "experts" -- find some homeschooling families or support groups in your area. Try asking around your church, your local library, or watching the newspaper for homeschool support group meeting announcements. The chance to spend some time talking with and observing other homeschooling families will be invaluable as you decide if, and how you will embark on this wonderful journey.
5. Finally, if you are questioning your ability to teach your children well, know that all things are possible with God, including your ability to homeschool with excellence. Your confidence will grow as you follow the Lord's leading and learn about other families' experiences with this highly flexible and highly effective form of education.
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