And away we go...

Well, here it is, I'm starting a blog. You may ask why? Well, I started thinking about blogging a few weeks ago, and ever since I've been toying with the idea in my head. I don't really know if I have anything earth shattering to say. As I said in my profile, I'm not one of those moms that most people, myself included, admire. I haven't somehow managed to juggle the schedules of a big family, I don't homeschool my children, run some amazing at home business or even cook well... In fact, I consider myself one of the least qualified people to tell anyone, anything. However, the more I thought about it, I thought maybe all the things that disqualify me are actually the things that qualify me the most.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible has always been, "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary, men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13. Thousands of people were coming to Christ and Peter and John were being forced to present their "case" so to speak in front of the rulers of the day. Everyone knew they were just fishermen, not scholars and yet they spoke with such authority and clarity. There was only one explanation people could find... "these men had been with Jesus." Wow! So, the more I got to thinking... I realized I too, "have been with Jesus." I have had a relationship with Jesus for approximately 25 years now. Albeit a very rocky relationship at times, but a relationship all the same. That fact alone gives me a "reason" to write this blog. Surely, He has shown me some things that are worth mentioning.

Last week while studying the Bible I read the following passage in Deuteronomy 11, "1- Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always. Remember today that your children were not the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the LORD your God... 5- It was not your children who saw what he did for you in the desert until you arrived at this place... 7-But it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the LORD has done." A little later in verses 18-19, the familiar D6 passage is repeated, "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Now I look at this as primarily as a passage telling us as parents that we have a responsibility to tell our children about the experiences in our lives where we have seen God work. We may not have seen the Red Sea open up and close on the armies of Egypt, but we all have a story to tell. It is not enough for us to just tell our kids Bible stories and "about" God, that will not change their lives long term. They need to see a faith that is practical that changes lives, and what better place to see that than in the lives of their parents. But lets take it one step further. In addition to teaching our children, we have a responsibility to build up the body of Christ. "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1Thes. 5:11. So, I figure, no one has had the exact same experiences that I have had. God has taught me lessons in ways He may or may not have taught others. Therefore, if I can encourage anyone or help anyone draw closer to God by sharing what "my eyes have seen," then I will share. And for those reasons, I am starting this blog...