Let me just take a moment to encourage you all. First and foremost, the
only reason I am still writing to you after all these years to share what
the LORD has taught me is because I continue to sit at His Feet each and
every day. I come to Him every early morning for renewal, refreshment,
and a much needed recharge. He never fails to give me something from His
Word in the wee hours of the morning that supplies strength and wisdom
for the entire day. I am so in awe of Him!
"O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every
morning, our salvation in time of distress." Isaiah 37:2
I talk to Him in prayer, and He talks to me from His Word. It's a daily
Holy Conversation that I wouldn't want to miss out on for the world.
"In repentance and rest is your salvation, and in quietness and trust is
your strength." Isaiah 30:15
I'll be the first to admit that it is not always easy to be a stay home
mother managing on one income while homeschooling my children. I'm on my
sixteenth year of homeschooling with my 26th wedding anniversary coming
up next week, and I stand amazed at The One I serve Who brought me this
far and continues to lead me on. I would have never thought it possible.
Truly, He has chosen the weakest of His women to share with you all.
As I have shared before, I am a former procrastinator and disorganized
pack rat. For years I neglected His Word and a time alone with Him in
prayer every day. My home, my marriage, and my motherhood suffered for
it. It took years to change some of my very bad habits, which I am still
working on to this day.
"Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be
wise." Proverbs 19:20
"This is the one I esteem, he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and
trembles at My Word." Isaiah 66:2
Now here I am fourteen years into His Word seeking Him even more than I
did then every early morning (because His beautiful Word truly only gets
richer and richer); and I know I am not what I should be, but praise His
Holy Name, I am not what I was! Why did I ever try to do this all on my
own, I will never know. I need Him so very desperately. And now
everything is for Jesus Christ, my LORD.
What a difference it is when that is so.
"The LORD will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of
salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to
this treasure." Isaiah 33:6
Rather than complaining and arguing,as I used to do in the past, I try
very hard to build up, build up, build up.
"Pleasant words promote instruction." Proverbs 16:21
"Every wise woman builds her house." Proverbs 14:1
"His God instructs him and teaches him the right way." Isaiah 28:26
"All this comes from the LORD Almighty, wonderful in counsel and
magnificent in wisdom." Isaiah 28:29
Yes, my job is difficult at times, but having done it for over
twenty-five years now, I wouldn't want any other job in the world. I
truly feel like a very rich woman. I know it is because of Jesus. He has
changed so much in my heart and my mind and continues to make His
necessary changes which has in turn affected my marriage, my motherhood,
and my homemaking.
"The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effort of righteousness
will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful
dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." Isaiah
32:17-18
"The house of the righteous contains great treasure." Proverbs 15:6
When I get up in the early hours of the morning, I am aching to get into
His Word and to talk to Him about everything. I know that I cannot do
anything without Him. He is the Master of My Moments, and He knows what
this day will hold and just what I need to do. I love starting a day out
with Him, then walking through the whole day in His Presence. There's
just nothing like it. I love to tell Him that I don't want to miss out on
a thing in His Presence.
Today I had my children up at 5:00 a.m. to clean our church with our
regular cleaning team. We've been doing this job every Tuesday morning
for about ten years now. It was from the Word of God that I learned to
train and love my children in so many ways years ago. My son, Quincy, was
telling his dad last weekend that he had the best childhood ever and how
grateful he was for it now that he is a Marine. God is so good. I am so
thankful that Quincy has those wonderful memories. It is one of the
great treasures of my house.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly furnished unto all good
works." 1 Timothy 3:16-17
"I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in
him, he will bear much fruit.; apart from Me you can do nothing." John
15:5
"I can do all things through Jesus Christ Who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13
I love to pray through Proverbs 31. I do it almost every week. It's my
job, and there is no way I can do this job without Him. That is why I try
to make my home as cozy and as comforting that I can within our budget.
The more that I can do to lift any burden off my husband's shoulders, I
try to do. That is the essence of Proverbs 31 for me: building a home
that blesses those who live there and ultimately honors my husband and my
LORD.
It's an incredible job that keeps me clinging to Christ for renewal,
refreshment, and recharge.
Love,
Laine