So, Who Asked You?

I love homeschooling. I love the support I get from my wonderful husband. I love our boys. I love being their teacher, choosing the curriculum, watching them learn, seeing their excitement when they "get it." But you know what I love most of all? No bells, no rigid schedule.

As a jr. high/high school teacher in a Christian School, it seemed the bell rang at the most inopportune times. Just as we were getting into the good stuff, you know? The meat of the matter -- especially Bible. Teens and pre-teens have great questions, but it takes a while for them to warm up sometimes. My homeroom/first period class was Bible and English 7/8. It was always frustrating to me knowing I had to get to that adverbial/adjectival prepositional phrase lesson, so I felt rushed in the lesson, say it was from Hebrews 11 on faith! Aarrgghh! Considering life as I know it (a bit beyond pre-teens here), faith vs. prepositional phrases, hummm, which will benefit life more? Which will matter for eternity's sake for some of those students?

Of course, there is a place for proper English, don't get me wrong, as there is for math, history, etc. But that brings me back to why I LOVE homeschooling. You see, Thursday our boys and I had our regular morning Bible study. We dug deep into Romans 11. WOW! There around verse 17 is shouting ground for us Gentiles, let me just tell you! To see how we were "grafted in" just the same as the Jews, God's chosen people... Hallelujah!

But then, we read a bit further... verse 20 (NLT) "... Don't think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen." We stopped right there for a long discussion and no bell interrupted us forcing us from this "holy ground" into math or science!

Our discussion went something like this:

So, who asked you where you wanted to live? I mean, in what country you wanted to be born, for example?

Who asked you who you wanted your parents to be?

Who asked you what color you wanted your skin?

Who asked you what you wanted your nose to look like? your hair? your teeth?

Who asked you what your heritage should be?

Who asked you if you wanted to be a Jew or Gentile?

Get the picture? "Don't think highly of yourself..." You see, I'm at a disadvantage compared to some folks. I've never known life without having EVERYTHING I need right when I need it. Obviously, I haven't had all my wants (lots of them,though), but my needs? Yeah. Always.

I've never slept in a cardboard box outside, nor have I ever not had food in my house. I've never known what it's like not to be loved. I've never known life without knowing God is ALWAYS with me.

Did I ask for such a blessed life? Even though I've experienced heart-wrenching tragedy, it's been blessed abundantly. No, I didn't ask for it; it was a gift.

Did those who suffer ask for that in their life? Some may have brought on consequences themselves, but did they ask for their heritage or their upbringing? No.

Did those children ask for their mother to push them into the river or drown them in the bathtub? HEAVENS NO!

So, what's the answer? Why am I so blessed when there's so many others suffering?

An even bigger question is what do we do?

Who am I to look upon another whose life is different than mine and consider myself any better or worse? Their life is a gift just as mine is. The trouble is, if others don't fit into our mold - enough money, nice enough clothes, properly proportioned facial features, skin color, height, weight, abilities - many of us consider their life less of a gift. Maybe even to the extreme of a mistake or burden. God forbid!

But no matter our circumstances, we are given the life we have to glorify God. I can't explain it. I don't know why God allows an innocent baby to be put in the hands of a perverted father or demented mother, but He's God. I KNOW that's not pleasing to Him. And "'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,'says the Lord." Romans 12:19b (NKJV) You can be sure that man/woman will regret what (s)he did...

One of our sons has special needs. Nothing extreme, but enough to cause some severe learning disabilities - only noticeable to those closest to him, usually. We drifted out upon this tumultuous water Thursday in our discussion. Tears fell as we discussed his "disorder." Personally, I hate the word "disorder." I believe God purposefully made my son fearfully and wonderfully - ordered him to be exactly as he is for HIS glory. His struggle may be just what it takes to minister to folks others can't reach. We talked about God never making mistakes, and our son is no exception. Dustin's purpose in life is to do the best he can and leave the rest up to God. With Dustin's obedience and his trust in God, he will make a difference in this world for Jesus, no doubt about it.

We have friends whose daughter is close to 30 years old. She's never matured beyond about 6-8 months of age. Why would God allow that? I can't believe He made a mistake. That mom and dad have made HUGE sacrifices in their lives to care for this child. Who knows where they might be or who they may have missed ministering to had they not experienced life with their daughter in such a way.

It all boils down to a matter of trust. Do we REALLY trust God enough to not think highly of ourselves? When my focus is on HIM, not on others and their "differences" or on myself, whew! I get blessed, but HE gets the glory. Others see HIM in me and things happen I could NEVER do without Him!

"Oh what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be his counselor? And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back? For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen." Romans 11:33-36 (NLT)

Let me highlight "For everything ... is intended for his glory." We live in this rotten, sin-infested world where satan (I REFUSE to give him the honor of a capital letter!) is the prince of the power of the air. But his day's coming and it ain't gonna be pretty! Everything is INTENDED for His glory, but it doesn't always work that way.

I want to be different. I want my GIFTS to give Him glory. I want my family to give Him glory! I want my children to understand that because one has a 120 IQ while another has a 65 IQ, that wasn't a choice. One is no better or worse than the other.

The important thing is to understand that life is a gift from HIM intended for His glory.

He designed it, He can do with it as He pleases....

Who asked you (or me)?