Signs

This past weekend I attended the annual homeschool convention. Every year I look forward to it. There's nothing like soaking up the synergy of thousands of other like-minded home educators. Listening to the wisdom of the experienced encourages me, and my resolve is strengthened as I observe the fruit of their labor. I also have fun checking out the enormous curriculum exhibit hall, rolling suitcase in hand.

My favorite quote from this year's convention came from J. Michael Smith: "Focus on preparing your children for heaven, and God will take care of the rest."

During the breaks, I had time to reflect and to pray about where I am as a mom and a teacher and the many areas needed for improvement. There are issues that needed to be addressed, challenges that needed to be resolved and a vision that needed to be refined. It is always good to talk it over with my Wonderful Counselor.

After three days, I returned physically weary yet spiritually refreshed. It was good to be home.

In my absence, the kids had been busy. Busy making signs. I began noticing them almost immediately after getting out of my car.

Posted on the door leading from the garage into the house was the first sign:



Hi Mom
You R [home]
We Hav Food
I Love You
Love Daniel

I smiled. They had food. Good sign. I opened the door. I heard a LOUD whisper, "She's home!", scampering feet and an unfamiliar siren. Turns out Jonathan had jury-rigged an alarm from his electronics kit to go off as soon as I opened the door.

Hanging from the cabinet in the laundry room was another sign:



Hanging next to the smiley face was this sign:


(an altered flying disk package)

Elizabeth announced, "I made you a card!" I noticed she had gotten into my scrapbooking supplies. :-)

The envelope:


and the card:


I was then given the biggest group hug I can remember in a long time. Wish I could've frozen that moment.

Later, Jonathan asked if I had seen his Lego sign. Lego sign? No, where was it? He escorted me back to the laundry room where I had breezed through earlier.

I saw a large rectangular block of Lego perched on top of the washing machine.

Then I looked closer and saw words.

Words that lit up my heart.



Sometimes Moms need assurance that despite their many mistakes, God is working through us to reach the heart of our kids. That what we're doing is making a difference because the Spirit is in the business of transforming lives. And that He is able to override our inadequacies because His grace is sufficient for our every need.

Sometimes we need signs reminding us to "Persevere! It's worth it!"

I'm grateful to God that He gave me these signs.

"...be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." I Corinthians 15:58