Today, I get to read a short biography by one of my favorite authors (John Piper) about one of my historical heroes (William Wilberforce). Then, I get to write questions for high schoolers that will help them see more clearly the depths of the wisdom and glory of God as expressed in the life of Wilberforce (who worked with amazing perseverence to change laws in England so that slaves were first no longer imported and then no longer held at all in England). This man's life was inspirational for his fortitude, but what is even more inspiring is the God Who gave him the heart and soul to effect such great things for humanity. I get to highlight this to high schoolers around the country and even around the world and their moms, as I write that discussion outline as well. Wow. What a job!
But, know what? I haven't seen it this way every day. For many days in recent past, I have not been wondering at the fact that I get to do this, but complaining that I've got to do this. "I've got to go write Week 6," I sigh. "I've got to work late tonight." "I've got to read this or that book for my curriculum writing." Then the "I'd rather be's..." being and flow like water from my mouth. My complaints and self-focused sighs have been voiced for so many days that I can't begin to count them. It pains me to think of how often I've grumbled and complained about my job, which is a gift from Father's hand, perfectly crafted for me, and a privilege to perform by almost any standards. One little letter is all it takes to change me from "get to" to "got to." But in that little change is a world of sin. God takes a potently negative view of those who grumble about His revealed choices for their lives and vocations. Here's a sample:
Numbers 14:28-35 (ESV)
Say to them, 'As I live, declares the Lord, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: [29] your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, [30] not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. [31] But your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected. [32] But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness. [33] And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years and shall suffer for your faithlessness, until the last of your dead bodies lies in the wilderness. [34] According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, a year for each day, you shall bear your iniquity forty years, and you shall know my displeasure.' [35] I, the Lord, have spoken. Surely this will I do to all this wicked congregation who are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall come to a full end, and there they shall die."( English Standard Version)
Grumbling isn't confined to me. It's a constant temptation to us homeschooling moms because we can so easily get our eyes off the eternal nature of our jobs and onto the many tasks that can go unnoticed and unthanked. Our pay day is so far in the future that we can feel that we're wandering in the desert, and doomed to die there, instead of purposefully and joyfully heading for a Promised Land. We fall into grumbling and complaining about our jobs as homeschooling moms because we lose perspective (and because we're sinful). Do you think my job sounds meaningful? Let's think together about yours.
You get to wake up each morning and greet your Lord and Savior, Who will give you all that you need for godliness and joy in living if you but tarry with Him awhile. You get to teach one or more young children each day to become future blessings to mankind each day. You get to be the primary shaping influence in their lives. Most of us get to stay and work in our own homes, surrounded by the decor and conveniences that we have chosed, and secure from terror or danger, while our husbands go out and work to provide food, clothing, and all the things we need for us. We get to introduce our children to Jesus. We get to have a front row seat at a thousand acts of kindness and love that our dear Savior pours out on us and through us on the people we love every day. We get to minister to our tired husbands, our sick children, and our ailing parents and our troubled friends and neighbors. It is our privilege to be ambassadors for Christ to a sin-sick world each day, whether or not we even 
leave our homes.
And when we are done in this world, we will get to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master." Well, that's a great job; one we can thank God for in every season of our lives. Let's do all we can to retain perspective on the job we have and the life we've been given. There's so much to be grateful for!
But, know what? I haven't seen it this way every day. For many days in recent past, I have not been wondering at the fact that I get to do this, but complaining that I've got to do this. "I've got to go write Week 6," I sigh. "I've got to work late tonight." "I've got to read this or that book for my curriculum writing." Then the "I'd rather be's..." being and flow like water from my mouth. My complaints and self-focused sighs have been voiced for so many days that I can't begin to count them. It pains me to think of how often I've grumbled and complained about my job, which is a gift from Father's hand, perfectly crafted for me, and a privilege to perform by almost any standards. One little letter is all it takes to change me from "get to" to "got to." But in that little change is a world of sin. God takes a potently negative view of those who grumble about His revealed choices for their lives and vocations. Here's a sample:
Numbers 14:28-35 (ESV)
Say to them, 'As I live, declares the Lord, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: [29] your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, [30] not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. [31] But your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected. [32] But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness. [33] And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years and shall suffer for your faithlessness, until the last of your dead bodies lies in the wilderness. [34] According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, a year for each day, you shall bear your iniquity forty years, and you shall know my displeasure.' [35] I, the Lord, have spoken. Surely this will I do to all this wicked congregation who are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall come to a full end, and there they shall die."( English Standard Version)
Grumbling isn't confined to me. It's a constant temptation to us homeschooling moms because we can so easily get our eyes off the eternal nature of our jobs and onto the many tasks that can go unnoticed and unthanked. Our pay day is so far in the future that we can feel that we're wandering in the desert, and doomed to die there, instead of purposefully and joyfully heading for a Promised Land. We fall into grumbling and complaining about our jobs as homeschooling moms because we lose perspective (and because we're sinful). Do you think my job sounds meaningful? Let's think together about yours.
You get to wake up each morning and greet your Lord and Savior, Who will give you all that you need for godliness and joy in living if you but tarry with Him awhile. You get to teach one or more young children each day to become future blessings to mankind each day. You get to be the primary shaping influence in their lives. Most of us get to stay and work in our own homes, surrounded by the decor and conveniences that we have chosed, and secure from terror or danger, while our husbands go out and work to provide food, clothing, and all the things we need for us. We get to introduce our children to Jesus. We get to have a front row seat at a thousand acts of kindness and love that our dear Savior pours out on us and through us on the people we love every day. We get to minister to our tired husbands, our sick children, and our ailing parents and our troubled friends and neighbors. It is our privilege to be ambassadors for Christ to a sin-sick world each day, whether or not we even 
leave our homes.And when we are done in this world, we will get to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master." Well, that's a great job; one we can thank God for in every season of our lives. Let's do all we can to retain perspective on the job we have and the life we've been given. There's so much to be grateful for!
Labels: encouragement, family
Isn't it great that we never need to stop learning about God? I find, though, that I need to be purposeful about dragging my mind back and back and back again to focus on God, Himself. It's so easy to get caught up in doing things FOR God... or for my family for God, or for the church for God, etc. Pretty soon, I'm about five steps from God, Who becomes the reason--somewhere--I guess--way down deep, but not my conscious reason for living. It's not enough to busy myself with the things of this world. I need to be conscious about God more and more in the moments of my day!
Turning 50 really is turning a corner. Suddenly, I realize that I'm probably a whole lot closer to Heaven than I am to earth. I'll be spending an eternity with God, so how much time am I investing now so that I'll enjoy Him to the fullest? I don't want my life to be so taken up with tasks for God that I forget to spend time with God or contemplating and enjoying God himself.
So, my recent Bible readings have been focused on Phillippians. In chapter 1, there's a beautiful prayer by Paul that I decided to dwell upon. And, while doing so, I dug out A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and His Prayers by D. A. Carson, who investigates the Epistles to see what lessons Paul taught in his "school of prayer." I also made a new playlist, which I entitled "Joy." I combed my iTunes list (and even downloaded a few new songs) to put together songs that were rejoicing in either God or the life He has provided for us here, so that while I worked on Week 6 of Year 3 today, I might rejoice in the God Who loved me enough to give His life for me. It is He Who is waiting for me in Heaven... not that far from now. I am finding myself refreshed today as I take time to remember Jesus more through the day through these simple, but purposeful, disciplines.
Turning 50 really is turning a corner. Suddenly, I realize that I'm probably a whole lot closer to Heaven than I am to earth. I'll be spending an eternity with God, so how much time am I investing now so that I'll enjoy Him to the fullest? I don't want my life to be so taken up with tasks for God that I forget to spend time with God or contemplating and enjoying God himself.
So, my recent Bible readings have been focused on Phillippians. In chapter 1, there's a beautiful prayer by Paul that I decided to dwell upon. And, while doing so, I dug out A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and His Prayers by D. A. Carson, who investigates the Epistles to see what lessons Paul taught in his "school of prayer." I also made a new playlist, which I entitled "Joy." I combed my iTunes list (and even downloaded a few new songs) to put together songs that were rejoicing in either God or the life He has provided for us here, so that while I worked on Week 6 of Year 3 today, I might rejoice in the God Who loved me enough to give His life for me. It is He Who is waiting for me in Heaven... not that far from now. I am finding myself refreshed today as I take time to remember Jesus more through the day through these simple, but purposeful, disciplines.Labels: encouragement, recommendation
If of thy mortal good thou art bereft
And of thy slender store two loaves alone to thee are left,
Sell one, and with the dole
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.
--Saadi
When I lived in New England and March 1 rolled around, I was still looking at two more solid months of cold weather before all the snow was gone, and three more solid months of school with very few breaks. Scott would buy me hyacinths. Oh, the color! Oh, the smell! I placed them on my kitchen table, and whenever I sat to do one more math lesson, or stood to fold one more load of laundry, I would bend over and take a huge whiff of spring. The smell was promise. It was hope. It was love. It was all those and more... it whispered of the miracle of God's creative abilities and His never-failing grace.
Yesterday, even though I'm no longer schooling and I live now in MD, where daffodils will be up before March is spent, Scott bought me hyacinths for our date night. Oh, the color! Oh, the smell! They take me back. They remind me of all those years where God gave me grace to persevere through another school year to "finish up strong," as my dad always said. And, yes, they are giving me the renewed hope, faith, and love to soldier on with this spring's tasks and challenges.
Do you need a boost? Take Saadi's advice! I guarantee it'll help.
Labels: encouragement
Time. We all have the same amount, and there never seems to be enough. Why is that?
I'll be 50 in early April. (Scary thought... gives rise to all kinds of musings about what I've learned/accomplished in 50 years... but that's for another post...) When I was younger, I thought that I didn't have time enough because of the demands of my young family. Then I got busier, so I thought that it was the demands of homeschooling and parenting. It seemed that time was short and tasks were many. But, those days are done. Suddenly, it's not parenting that I fill my days with, and not homeschooling, either. From this vantagepoint, I am more aware of (and grateful for) the insight that my friend, Yvonne, shared recently that while we didn't have much leisure time in those intense years, the pressing needs of family and homeschooling were wonderful guardrails on the road of life. In entering this latter phase of my life (when the children are launched, and all I have to fill my days is the work of writing and helping to run a small company) I find myself far more tempted to selfishness and sin than I ever did in earlier years. Somehow, bearing children, caring for my home, and teaching my own children seemed more directly "of the Lord." To me, they were very clearly my role as a woman, wife, and mother. Writing and running a small company seem different. They seem... optional. I am much more tempted in this phase of my life, as the children are grown and there seems to be more room for choice in my life, to choose what pleases me and grumble if things don't go my way. Who would have thought that the busy, early years were God's kindness? He led me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake by hemming me in behind and before!
Lately, in realizing the new temptations of a new season, by God's grace I've been reading some good books that are helping me put down complaining and self-centered resentments and gladly enter into active, purposeful living so that I can, in this season of my life, do the things that God is leading me to do. I've found two tools most helpful:
1. Shopping for Time: How to do it All and NOT be Overwhelmed, by Carolyn Mahaney and her daughters, Nicole, Janelle, and Kristin is a small, approachable Godsend. It neatly lays out very practical steps by which a godly woman can live purposefully.
2. I've taken up my planner again. I had gotten away from keeping any kind of planning system, and so was living day to day without making lists that would enable me to fit in the things that were important, but not urgent. In my younger years, I learned this lesson: plan your work and then work your plan, but as the urgency went out of my days, and the choices multiplied, I found that it was easier to complain about how busy I was and make excuses than to plan in the things I really wanted to do for long-term goals. These are things like staying in touch with extended family, sending birthday cards, writing notes of encouragement, and (most dreaded) regular exercise. By God's grace, and with the help of my trusty planner, I am now finding it easier to do things that I've been wishing to do for months and years! Praise be to God!
These two small steps that are making a big difference as I seek to find my feet in the new season to which my Savior has led me. I'm wondering how many of us--no matter which busy season of our lives we find ourselves in--find it easier to complain and repine than to take up the challenge of living purposefully and selflessly, to the glory of God?
I'll be 50 in early April. (Scary thought... gives rise to all kinds of musings about what I've learned/accomplished in 50 years... but that's for another post...) When I was younger, I thought that I didn't have time enough because of the demands of my young family. Then I got busier, so I thought that it was the demands of homeschooling and parenting. It seemed that time was short and tasks were many. But, those days are done. Suddenly, it's not parenting that I fill my days with, and not homeschooling, either. From this vantagepoint, I am more aware of (and grateful for) the insight that my friend, Yvonne, shared recently that while we didn't have much leisure time in those intense years, the pressing needs of family and homeschooling were wonderful guardrails on the road of life. In entering this latter phase of my life (when the children are launched, and all I have to fill my days is the work of writing and helping to run a small company) I find myself far more tempted to selfishness and sin than I ever did in earlier years. Somehow, bearing children, caring for my home, and teaching my own children seemed more directly "of the Lord." To me, they were very clearly my role as a woman, wife, and mother. Writing and running a small company seem different. They seem... optional. I am much more tempted in this phase of my life, as the children are grown and there seems to be more room for choice in my life, to choose what pleases me and grumble if things don't go my way. Who would have thought that the busy, early years were God's kindness? He led me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake by hemming me in behind and before!
Lately, in realizing the new temptations of a new season, by God's grace I've been reading some good books that are helping me put down complaining and self-centered resentments and gladly enter into active, purposeful living so that I can, in this season of my life, do the things that God is leading me to do. I've found two tools most helpful:
1. Shopping for Time: How to do it All and NOT be Overwhelmed, by Carolyn Mahaney and her daughters, Nicole, Janelle, and Kristin is a small, approachable Godsend. It neatly lays out very practical steps by which a godly woman can live purposefully.2. I've taken up my planner again. I had gotten away from keeping any kind of planning system, and so was living day to day without making lists that would enable me to fit in the things that were important, but not urgent. In my younger years, I learned this lesson: plan your work and then work your plan, but as the urgency went out of my days, and the choices multiplied, I found that it was easier to complain about how busy I was and make excuses than to plan in the things I really wanted to do for long-term goals. These are things like staying in touch with extended family, sending birthday cards, writing notes of encouragement, and (most dreaded) regular exercise. By God's grace, and with the help of my trusty planner, I am now finding it easier to do things that I've been wishing to do for months and years! Praise be to God!
These two small steps that are making a big difference as I seek to find my feet in the new season to which my Savior has led me. I'm wondering how many of us--no matter which busy season of our lives we find ourselves in--find it easier to complain and repine than to take up the challenge of living purposefully and selflessly, to the glory of God?
Labels: encouragement, family, recommendation
Treasure in Earthen Vessels
0 Comments Published by Marcia Somerville on Monday, September 24, 2007.
Originally published in Distaff, December 2005
Paul says, in 2 Corinthians 4:7, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." The treasure he's talking about is "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:4). Paul's image reminds me of where I was right before God called me to homeschool.
Scott and I had been given two precious sons in our first three years of marriage. I had my future all planned during that early season. My plan was to stay at home with my boys until they were of school age, and then, as soon as they were both happily ensconced in school, to begin a pottery business.
You see, I had always loved pottery making. I had learned to do it in high school, and was so interested in it in college that my father bought me an electric wheel for my wedding present! Later, Scott and I acquired a used kiln, so as my younger boy was turning one year old, I was happily dreaming of opening my own pottery shop, to the glory of God.
I planned to make evangelistic pottery. I had learned to make "Jesus bowls" while in college. These were of my own design, and were candles of sorts, intended as dinner table centerpieces. Made of clay, of course, and fairly small and low, and hand-thrown, each one was intended to be filled with water and a floating wick. As with a Halloween pumpkin, on one side of each bowl, I carved out various shapes: in one a Christian fish sign, or in another, a cross, or perhaps the word "Jesus." When the floating wick was lit, the light shone through the carved opening, and sent a Christian message: "You, too, can be an earthenware pot with the light of the glory of Christ shining out of you!" At least, that was what I wanted it to say.
Even back then I found so many parallels between pottery and the Christian life. Let me share a few with you.
Paul says, in 2 Corinthians 4:7, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." The treasure he's talking about is "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:4). Paul's image reminds me of where I was right before God called me to homeschool.Scott and I had been given two precious sons in our first three years of marriage. I had my future all planned during that early season. My plan was to stay at home with my boys until they were of school age, and then, as soon as they were both happily ensconced in school, to begin a pottery business.
You see, I had always loved pottery making. I had learned to do it in high school, and was so interested in it in college that my father bought me an electric wheel for my wedding present! Later, Scott and I acquired a used kiln, so as my younger boy was turning one year old, I was happily dreaming of opening my own pottery shop, to the glory of God.
I planned to make evangelistic pottery. I had learned to make "Jesus bowls" while in college. These were of my own design, and were candles of sorts, intended as dinner table centerpieces. Made of clay, of course, and fairly small and low, and hand-thrown, each one was intended to be filled with water and a floating wick. As with a Halloween pumpkin, on one side of each bowl, I carved out various shapes: in one a Christian fish sign, or in another, a cross, or perhaps the word "Jesus." When the floating wick was lit, the light shone through the carved opening, and sent a Christian message: "You, too, can be an earthenware pot with the light of the glory of Christ shining out of you!" At least, that was what I wanted it to say.
Even back then I found so many parallels between pottery and the Christian life. Let me share a few with you.
- First of all, consider clay, itself. Clay is humble stuff. It is common and cheap. It is not precious (like metal or gems). In ancient times, the most common vessels (for both honorable and dishonorable use) were made of clay.
- It is not strong, unless fired. Before and after firing, it is brittle, and therefore fragile.
- Unfired clay is also porous, and is only good for storing dry goods. One cannot cook in it or eat from it before it undergoes the fiery process of firing. Only in extreme heat can clay be made truly useful.
- When you throw a pot (meaning, form one on a wheel), the first thing you do is to wedge the clay. Wedging involves squeezing and pressing the clay in repeated ways (much like kneading bread dough). You wedge clay in order to get all the little clay platelets (which are like tiny coins) to lay flat against one another, and to remove any air bubbles that are embedded in the clay. (If air bubbles remain, when the clay is fired, the air will expand and crack the wall of the pot.)
- Once wedged, you take the lump of clay and literally throw it as near to the center of the potter's wheel as you can. Then, you start the wheel spinning and, using water for lubrication, you begin to center the clay. The clay must again be pressed, pushed, and molded by the potter such that it spins "on center." Indeed, the clay must be perfectly centered in order to form a useful pot.
- After centering, the potter opens the lump with his thumbs, and then uses his fingers to draw up the walls of the pot. He fashions those walls as high and as thick as are needed for the use for which he intends.
- When the pot is finished, it must dry. Then, depending on its use, the potter may choose to fire it, then possibly glaze and fire it again.
God had such different plans for me than I had for myself in those early days. The "wedging" process began when I discovered that I was unexpectedly pregnant with my third child (who was born on our fourth anniversary). When I was about at half-term, my married, but childless friend, bounced excitedly into my kitchen one afternoon and told me, "I've found it! I've found the answer! It's homeschooling." As she explained what homeschooling was, I was not an early acceptor. After all, I had my plans made about how I intended to glorify God.
Slowly, carefully, and surely, the Master Potter wedged out my plans, my dreams of grandeur, and my preferences. As events unfolded, my desires changed and I became more and more pliable in His hands. He placed me on His wheel, and used His skill to center me, open me to new possibilities for my life (giving me two more children so that I had five under the age of seven and then our precious baby girl three years after that, while in law school), raise my walls and shape me (through the ministry of His church and other fellow pilgrims in my life) and then to fill me as I emptied myself. He fired me in the kiln of trials so that I got stronger, and never, ever let me fall to shatter on the ground.
Well, twenty years later, here I am. I never did open that pottery shop; I never did glorify God through making and selling Jesus bowls. Instead, I poured myself out by raising and homeschooling my six children with my whole heart. As I have sought to submit myself to the Master Potter, I have only become more and more aware of my clay-like nature: how truly humble I am in myself in terms of any abilities, strengths, or personal dignity. So much of homeschooling is done out of the limelight, where only God sees. So much of it seems to involve confusion, and struggle, and perseverance, and faith. At least, that's how it always seemed to me.
But there is this truth: within my jar of clay, all those years, there did burn a flame. It was the knowledge of the glory of God. As earthen as I was -- weak, humble, fragile, not valuable in myself, common, mere dirt in the eyes of most people -- I contained a precious treasure. I was not glorious, but the treasure was priceless. And, as God worked, it began to shine out of me just as my Jesus-bowl candles were intended to shine. When you look at a Jesus bowl, it's not the bowl you notice; it's the light.
So, dear sister, if you are a Christian, you, too, are -- truly -- an earthen vessel. This is right; this is good. It has an eternal purpose: "to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." As He, the Master Potter, spins you and presses you, your life is not out of control. As you look around and don't seem to see progress, or seem to see nothing but your faults, He is working -- oh so intently -- to make of you a vessel for honorable use.
Know what? This is true of your children, as well. They, too, if they belong to Christ, are vessels who are just beginning the process. May I encourage you? See them as clay, but see them as unfinished vessels in the Master's hand and be both encouraged and strengthened as you purpose to be a worthy apprentice in the Potter's shop. Attempt to strengthen and encourage them that God is at work. Point out evidences of grace in their lives, show them that the process is a sure and steady one, and look for ways to pour into them, over and over, the knowledge of the glorious gospel of Christ!
Labels: encouragement
