Generosity Abounds
One of the many, many topics that has crossed my mind lately has been that of generosity. Generosity, who doesn't love that word? Webster's NewWorld Thesaurus gave these synonyms for generosity: bounty, readiness in giving, free giving, hospitality, charitableness, largesse, benevolence, charity, liberality, bounteousness, profusion, beneficence, alms-giving, philanthropy, open-handedness, munificence, altruism, unselfishness, playing Lady Bountiful. A lengthy post could easily come from those descriptions. However, I want, no need, to take a different route today. Those words perfectly describe a community of individuals I am gradually coming to know. A group of individuals who daily spur me on to good works, homeschoolers.
Now before memories of every whacked out weirdo you ever saw or heard of fill your head, let me clarify that the community of homeschoolers I have discovered are neither wacky or weird. These hard-working men and women have inspired, thrilled, touched, and encouraged me more than mere words can express. Never in my life have I ever experienced or observed such open-handed giving. Every time I open my email inbox, there are freebies available "just because". Ebooks, lapbooks, CDs, audios, download after download of lessons and plans, on and on and on the list of blessings flows. I can't even remember the blessings they are so abundant. Our home and homeschool have been enriched in numerous ways as we have been able to freely receive from kind, loving people we've never met. Yes, that's right. All of this generosity I'm waxing eloquently about has come from people we've never met. How is this possible? Via the Internet.
How I would love, love, love to say Thank You face to face and share how at just the right time these resources have "shown up". When reading of the challenges and heartaches of my online "friends" and mentors, I find courage to stand strong, and true, and brave throughout my own. As a result of their bounteousness I have been challenged, emboldened, spurred on to greater heights and depths of love for Christ, my husband, my children, and those around me. I have learned to lay aside my own selfishness and pursue those things that lead to greatness rather than comfort.
Through the Internet, God has blessed me beyond measure. He has drawn me outside of the box of my own perspective and shown me a glimpse of His picture. When discouragement and despair attempt to gnaw their way in, whoosh! they are swept out as I glean insight from the wisdom of others. Those faithful ones who have walked the road before me speak out warnings and encouragement through the articles and books they send. Fresh perspectives and ideas flood my inbox to keep the waters of our school from stagnating. The blessings of God are beyond measure. He is so good to me! I am indescribably grateful for the rich generosity He bestows on my life every day. I am blessed to be His daughter. I am blessed to be a homeschool Mama too. Thank You God for generosity!
They wash the clothes
and shut the drawers
Wipe snotty noses too
Their eyes light up
and sparkle so
when learning something new
Hugs and kisses
prayers and wishes
discipline and more
Fill their days
with highest praise
to the One they adore
What makes them tick?
How's it done?
Questions fly their way
They smile and say
It's Him, you know
He is the Only Way
Christ is the One
who makes it work
It's He who gives me strength
Through Him I love
and serve and give
He deserves the praise
It isn't me
I'm not my own
By myself I'm very weak
In Christ alone
I wash and mend
It's His grace I daily seek
These children
my, they're growing fast
they have so many needs
I must keep my eyes on Jesus
Look to Him
He will lead
My heart He's saved
my life He gave
He satisfies my soul
I live for Him
He died for me
His life I have received
These mother's hearts
they must be filled
with Jesus' love so great
If they will do
what they must do
and be what they must be
Now before memories of every whacked out weirdo you ever saw or heard of fill your head, let me clarify that the community of homeschoolers I have discovered are neither wacky or weird. These hard-working men and women have inspired, thrilled, touched, and encouraged me more than mere words can express. Never in my life have I ever experienced or observed such open-handed giving. Every time I open my email inbox, there are freebies available "just because". Ebooks, lapbooks, CDs, audios, download after download of lessons and plans, on and on and on the list of blessings flows. I can't even remember the blessings they are so abundant. Our home and homeschool have been enriched in numerous ways as we have been able to freely receive from kind, loving people we've never met. Yes, that's right. All of this generosity I'm waxing eloquently about has come from people we've never met. How is this possible? Via the Internet.
How I would love, love, love to say Thank You face to face and share how at just the right time these resources have "shown up". When reading of the challenges and heartaches of my online "friends" and mentors, I find courage to stand strong, and true, and brave throughout my own. As a result of their bounteousness I have been challenged, emboldened, spurred on to greater heights and depths of love for Christ, my husband, my children, and those around me. I have learned to lay aside my own selfishness and pursue those things that lead to greatness rather than comfort.
Through the Internet, God has blessed me beyond measure. He has drawn me outside of the box of my own perspective and shown me a glimpse of His picture. When discouragement and despair attempt to gnaw their way in, whoosh! they are swept out as I glean insight from the wisdom of others. Those faithful ones who have walked the road before me speak out warnings and encouragement through the articles and books they send. Fresh perspectives and ideas flood my inbox to keep the waters of our school from stagnating. The blessings of God are beyond measure. He is so good to me! I am indescribably grateful for the rich generosity He bestows on my life every day. I am blessed to be His daughter. I am blessed to be a homeschool Mama too. Thank You God for generosity!
They wash the clothes
and shut the drawers
Wipe snotty noses too
Their eyes light up
and sparkle so
when learning something new
Hugs and kisses
prayers and wishes
discipline and more
Fill their days
with highest praise
to the One they adore
What makes them tick?
How's it done?
Questions fly their way
They smile and say
It's Him, you know
He is the Only Way
Christ is the One
who makes it work
It's He who gives me strength
Through Him I love
and serve and give
He deserves the praise
It isn't me
I'm not my own
By myself I'm very weak
In Christ alone
I wash and mend
It's His grace I daily seek
These children
my, they're growing fast
they have so many needs
I must keep my eyes on Jesus
Look to Him
He will lead
My heart He's saved
my life He gave
He satisfies my soul
I live for Him
He died for me
His life I have received
These mother's hearts
they must be filled
with Jesus' love so great
If they will do
what they must do
and be what they must be
