My Soul Looks Back In Wonder - The Family of Faith

“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.” (Psalm 27:10, NLT)

We are blessed to still have both sets of parents with us on this side of heaven. Yet, there’ve been times when we’ve had to climb in the lap of our Abba Father for the tender loving care only He can provide.

When we started homeschooling, we had to kick upstream against a tide of objections from family members: We were being overprotective. Our peeps would seem weird and wouldn’t develop socially. They needed more exposure. They’d never get into college. But Hubby and I had heard the call, and we answered, “Yes, Lord,” though we didn’t know where our obedience would lead. God continues to provide resources, flexible careers and schedules, friendships, mentors, and college educations.

• We were speechless the day we found out our fourth child was on the way. Our parents filled in the blanks. “I didn’t know you wanted more.” “Can you afford it?” “And you’re still going to homeschool?” Three more children later, our extended families have witnessed God’s provision and direction. All our children have been there to help their grandparents when they’ve endured illness and hospitalization and served alongside us as caregivers and chauffeurs. We’re grateful we looked to Him for our family size and trusted Him to continually guide our steps and theirs.
• I’d have to use ten fingers and five toes to count the number of times we’ve moved during our nearly thirty years of marriage. Up and down the East Coast, living in apartments, hotel rooms, homes we’ve built ourselves, and a house that’s been standing for more than 140 years. We’ve had to leave everything and everyone we knew and build from the ground up. Yet, in every state and circumstance, God brought us friends who became long-term family—godparents, “aunties” and “uncles,” and prayer circles—loving on and disciplining our peeps like they were their own, like we were their own. Our mail struggled to find us, but God continually lit the way during our wilderness experiences.
• As a homeschooling mama of many, I snatch writing time out of thin air. Either I work in the eye of the hurricane, between teaching math and English and cooking dinner, or I type during the “third shift,” after my family is tucked away for the night. While a quiet house is a lovely house, it’s also a lonely house after 2:00 a.m. Some days, I’ve wept and wondered where God is. He shows me, “I’m here” when readers share how I’ve helped them through similar struggles.

Have you felt alone, even when you’re snuggled within your family’s embrace? Do you think no one understands you, sees your individual needs, or hears your cry? Does the path before you seem to wind uphill, shrouded in clouds of doubt? Then look behind you. There you can clearly see God’s faithfulness, walking behind you. When you see the evidence of how He has lovingly carried you and provided for you, you can look ahead with confidence. Trust He will never forsake His children.

Scripture Reflection: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are…and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:1, 2, ESV)