we are all guilty aren't we? I know I am.....

I have been passionately upset over the budget deficit and plans of how to remedy some of the shortfall for education. I have been burning up the emails and letters to our state representatives, and encouraging all I know to do the same.  As I have prayed and processed it all, I was in a conversation with a friend and she said, "Oh, oh.  I feel a blogging coming on!" She was right.  A little of this blog will be about that... but most of it will be about the AMAZING thing God is bringing to fruition... after much prayer and impatient patience as I waited on His guidance.  God is GOOD!

First of all, does anyone but me realize why this is happening to our schools?  The more I have prayed, the more clear it has become to me.  We, as Christians, have allowed all the non-believers to push our Father out of our schools.  How in the world can we expect things to be about the little children God loves so much, when we have quietly allowed doors to slam in His face.  I have no doubt, God not being in schools, not in prayers, not in text books, and even some trying to remove Him from our pledges, has a direct result on the fall of education that is underway.  NOT because GOD is doing it.  He isn't mean.  The bible tells us and the cross proves, GOD IS LOVE!  He LOVES those kids far more than we do.  He would NEVER harm them.  BUT... by asking him to leave the system of public education, He can no longer remain there and PROTECT them either.  God has given us the responsibility of  free-will.  He loves us to the cross and back... but He will not force us to accept it.  And when we don't... when we push Him out, He warns us over and over, there are consequences to those choices that cannot be avoided. 

I am a public education teacher. I have done it for years now.  I have also served as a Children's Minister in two churches and I have home schooled.  All seasons of my life that I knew were anointed callings for those seasons in time.  I believe that God should be in them all. There is nothing wrong with public education.  It is a place of learning that has benefits and blessings.  I feel the same way about private schools.  And I feel the same way about home-schooling.  Each of them provide opportunities and blessings to our children.  But flaws are found in all of them.  And even those that should be most centered around God alone, man can get in the way and suddenly, God is being pushed out of the way. 

With public schools, we ask God to leave for fear of offending other religions.  In private schools, we get arrogant that we are supreme because we are all about God.  In home schooling, it can become about personal agendas and about standing AGAINST something more than it is about standing FOR something.  Those things are not across the board.  There is always goodness in every area because in every area there are many who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind.  But in others (and I think if we are honest, we can all be guilty of this) we forget God and get caught up in our own agenda or we become complacent and God is left behind... only waiting to be invited back.  God doesn't leave us... EVER.  But we leave him.  And if we aren't careful, every area that should be glorious to His Kingdom is suffering in one form or another... even in the church itself.

But then I return to the Cross.  Isn't that the absolutely beauty of the cross?  God knows us so much more than we know ourselves.  He knows that even in our most genuine intentions, we stumble and we fail.  We just need the cross!  We NEED the cross.  It isn't the mistakes we make along the way that are the problem.  It is the arrogance to fail to see them as mistakes that is the problem.  The Cross, blood stained, rugged, and raw, is a testament that mistakes are not the cost.  Those were covered up and removed... even before we do them.  But the arrogance to not see them as mistakes... as sin... is where the cross is ignored and things leave the realm of coverage given by the painful death of our Savior.  Isn't it so clear that is where we are today? 

I realize this week as I have prayed and been so grieved over my personal friends losing jobs, seeing concerned eyes of parents wondering at what cost to their kids education is the budget fall coming, and as I pray over my own children in deep concern, that the budget isn't nearly as much the issue, but that arrogance is the issue... not the budget.  I mean seriously... are we meeting before and after school praying for our children in public schools? Are we taking risks and living out Christ in a place where we are told to hide Him?  I don't mean sometimes... I mean all the time?  Are we remembering that private school is about GOD alone and not privileges or prestige?  Are we making our homeschooling about genuine God agenda or has our own slipped in along the way?  And what if legislators in Austin were PRAYING to the ONE TRUE GOD every day, before EVERY decision.?  What if Washington DC was praying every single day to the ONE TRUE GOD?  What if AMERICA was praying to the ONE TRUE GOD.

As I have been so angry at legislation, I have been humbled in realizing I am a part of the fall.  I have never been afraid to take a stand for Christ.  I truly try to live Him out in my daily life.  But... have I been BOLD?  Have I led a group to join together before and after school EVERY single day to pray?  They may make us leave him out of text books... but my time is MY time... and I have a RIGHT to pray and invite my Father back in.  When I am doing that, God will BE there no matter what the law says.  I have done it on the way to school.  I have done it quietly throughout the day in my class.  But have I CLAIMED that school for Christ boldly to Satan as much as I should?  Have I driven and stood in the lawn of my other kids schools?  Have I REALLY done all I can... not as a citizen of the US but as a CHILD of the KING?  I think not!

God wants to save our children's futures.  It is HIS plan for their lives anyway.  The reality is, we have to give it back and get out of the way.  That is FAR more important to them than anything... ANYTHING legislation is saying right now.  It is a must in ALL areas of our lives... no matter what He has called us to do with our children.  God wants some kids in public schools.  I believe with all my heart mine are meant to be there... living him out to their friends.  I believe some kids are called to private schools.  They must live it out to their friends that THINK they know what Christianity is all about but are missing the relationship of it and are involved in religion instead.  And I believe God calls families to home school because He has specific plans for those children.  Some people think there is a right or wrong way.  I am humble enough to know there is a GOD way and whatever that looks like is individual for each child and family.  Matter of fact... to drive that point home... I am a public educator, who chooses to home school one of my children because without a doubt that is God's direction for her best life right now.  Each child is FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made and I will not and cannot judge how God chooses to lead that out in their lives.

But what I can do is judge my own heart and realize when conviction comes... and this week, it has come strongly as I passionately fight for the legislator to hear.  God wants me to continue to fight.  He is proud of me for continuing to be willing to not just sit back.  But He wants more from me.  More than my sharing my faith with co-workers.  More than my prayers at home or on the way.  More than my quiet prayers in my class when no one is around and I feel the burden of my students needs.  He wants me actively involved in inviting him back in.  And He wants that from everyone. 

The great commission says "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20. NKJV).  God has promised to be with us ALWAYS, even to the end of the age.  And as someone who prays to land in Africa someday for missions when God's timing allows, and who has been to Mexico as much as I could, I believe that means to go to other nations.  But in NO WAY do I believe that means BEFORE we do it right where we are!  America needs Jesus too... and sometimes MORE than everywhere else.  I believe my deep conviction this week is to step up my game in the great commission... right here where I live and work.  How many children have parents without Christ in their lives?  How many children with non-Christian parents have NO idea how much God loves them?  How important is math or reading or writing or sports if THAT is missed? 

I am listening God.  Please lead my steps Lord... and let me not miss a moment of Your plans for my life, my children's lives, and the lives I am in contact with every day.  I want my legacy to live on like my sweet Eathan's.  So many nuggets from his little life still change my life every single day.  Let my life do the same.  Thank you for the cross!  Thank you for the CROSS!  THANK YOU FOR THE CROSS! 

Okay... the other part will have to wait for another post on another day.  This one needs to stand alone...

Love you all in Jesus!

Robin

BTW... if you "follow" me on here on my blog... I have more of a chance of becoming more read... which means I have more of a chance to share my son's lessons he has left with more and more.  Even if you don't have a blog, choose to follow me.  I write for whomever God chooses to read.  I would love to see Him reach beyond my precious friends and let Tuffy's life and legacy continue to web out now like it did so profoundly while he was on earth! It's easy... just press follow and follow the directions.