I have spent a lot of time in prayer recently. I have known that my focus isn't necessarily where it is supposed to be. I've been stressed over financial matters. I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself as I work hard and feel I'm not appreciated. I've been struggling to find my way as a teacher of my children, a role that I somehow separated from mom to my children. That role should not ever be separate!
My prayer time and study time has not gone unnoticed by God or unrewarded. He has given me some direction that breathes life into the roles given to me by God. "Given to Me by God!" is a phrase that holds a lot more appeal than "stay at home wife and mom".
I am changing the name of my blog. I named my blog Brook Academy after a place with a special meaning to me. However, it doesn't really describe my blog or my home. It doesn't remind me of my mission field where God has called me to serve.
In Mpact Girls, we studied a badge not too long ago entitled Home Missions. The badge centers on America being a Mission Field for the churches. However, after meeting with a couple missionaries, both foreign and domestic, I feel all Christians are missionaries. I honor the ones that serve in other countries, and the ones reaching out here in our inner cities and other places. Our mission fields are where God has us at the moment...where He wants to use us. For me, I don't know if I'll ever go overseas on a mission trip. (I would love it, but it's not in the plans at the moment.) I don't know if I'll ever reach beyond my local area for Jesus. However, I have a large family. I have daughters that range in age from 3 to 18. I have a husband that loves Jesus. I am blessed. My mission field is where God has me at the moment. My mission field is my home.
God called me to homeschool my children back in 2008. I began with my then 8 year old daughter, pulling her out of the local public school. At the beginning of the school year I added one of my daughters in high school. I also have been trying to design a relaxed preschool program for my daughter that just turned three. So, out of the five daughters, I am homeschooling three. In the fall my oldest will begin college. Going to a community college about an hour away, she will take many of her classes online. That means her schoolwork is being moved home to a large degree. That only leaves my step-daughter still in public school. If God wants me to homeschool her, He's going to have to arrange it.
Yet, while homeschooling takes a significant amount of time, it isn't the whole of my mission field. Serving God means serving my family in many ways. God has given me a crazy year of learning. He has led me to making many foods from scratch. He has led me to many money saving techniques. He has even led me, the girl that has killed every flower I've attempted to grow in my life, to plant a garden in my backyard. I am almost afraid of what other directions he may have for me. Yet, I have to trust Him. He knows best.
I'm entitling the blog My Home Mission Field. Training up my children is a part of that mission field. Nurturing my family, taking care of my home, being a good steward with all God entrusts me with; all these are part of my mission field. Ironically, knowing my mission field has brought me a strange feeling of focus. I don't feel as unfocused as I've felt the last few months. It is like I am trusting God to show me what I need to do and the directions I need to go instead of feeling like I'm running in a fog.
I am thankful that I have a God that loves me and guides me. I may have to sometimes get hit over the head with what He wants before I pay attention, but He is still patient with me.
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