Dear Ones,

Mother’s Day is fast approaching. This seemed a good time to share a memory where God certainly became the hero.

Many of you know we made a choice to homeschool long before we had kids. But I had no idea the challenges that would come with that one decision. We had seven boys at the time. Our oldest, Josiah, was twelve. He and I got away for a picnic prayer day at a time I really needed direction and encouragement from God.

“Ok, Josiah,” I said, unfurling a blanket on the ground near the pond. “You can read your Bible here and I’m going to read mine over there. Momma needs a little bit of quiet.” It was crazy to live so close to Camp Tilikum and not have made more use of its quiet space. But that day we did, and I’m forever changed.

He was a talker, but he probably made it a full seven minutes. First he motioned from his blanket a stone’s throw away. I gave a questioning gesture. “John 6:17-21,” he whispered, eyes expectant. I read it and puzzled.

“…And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.”

Do you see his message to me that day? Neither did I, and I probably looked confused.

“Momma, don’t you get it?” He raised up on his knees to explain. “You’re out here trying to get advice from God about homeschooling, right?” I nodded. “Not only did Jesus calm the storm, He got them to their destination ahead of time.”

Out of the mouth of babes. Okay, I guess we can eat lunch now. That is exactly what I was looking for. We still had to wrangle through the dyslexia some of the boys were struggling with and other setbacks. But it was just like he said. God did calm our storm, and many of them finished their associate degrees by age 17 or 18, got stable jobs, and were married ahead of “schedule.” I wish I had trusted the Lord sooner.

Hint: The moral isn’t to go eat lunch. The answer is to seek God. You might even take a young one along. You never know how they might astound you.

Happy Mother’s Day! I pray your special day is full of joy and pampering. Even if it isn’t dreamland, I hope you get the answers to your deep questions and needs only Jesus can fulfill.

Blessings,