Pearls.

I hesitated to share this. But I just have to. As pearls of commemoration of a God who hears, who cares, and who answers. This is about God using people with skin on to minister to and bless a weary pilgrim. It's one day's testimony of battle and victory, with many of you playing a part unawares.

I was needy today. Needy and weary and crabby. Fighting a battle of envy and jealousy over the lifestyles of women who don't homeschool five kids. Don't worry, it was short lived. I don't really envy them... Satan just wanted me to think I did.

As I tried to clean around five kids this morning, desperately wanting a clean house before we took our seats in the schoolroom, (that's when the fun really begins around here) I wrestled with thoughts of how amazing it must be;

~to have an empty house in the morning when your kids get off to school.
~to clean it and have it stay clean.
~to be able to listen to an online sermon or music and actually be able to hear it.
~to be able to sit down and have a good long quiet time that is really a *quiet* time,
~to be able to talk on the phone,
~to gallivant around for coffee, have people over and not feel that I am shirking my duties; go trucking off to the city for a day with a friend.
~to... you know, basically be free as a bird, or at least as free as a bird with one kid.

My skin tone was surely bordering on green (envy green, not puke green) as my mind wandered down these avenues of delight. Of course I reasoned with myself (or was it myself after all... no, assuredly not) that I knew better. There's no place I'd rather be... no people I'd rather invest my time in... I'm living my dream. I'm exactly where He wants me. I'm exactly where I want to be. But that little nagging voice of discontent and envy was not easily silenced. Stubborn old coot.

Lunch rolled around and although our studies were incredibly fulfilling and full of meaningful conversation and interesting discourse, and everyone was happy and obedient and no huge messes were made... still something was nagging at me. Truth is that I had awakened in the middle of the night green with envy over a dream I had of all my friends doing fun stuff together (not collectively but pairs here and there) while I was home alone (k, not alone, but you know what I mean), overwhelmed with a houseful of kids and mountains of responsibility.

I prayed with the kids at lunch, and while we ate I silently called out to God to break me out of this ugly trance. It was just NOT me... I LOVE my kids, I CHOOSE this life. I LOVE what I do. But someone was out to convince me I was missing out. I knew it was a spiritual battle. So I decided to fight it in the heavenlies.

After lunch, quiet time. I lay down on the couch with my 2 year old and open up my book; "Bringing up Boys". Lo and behold I am starting the chapter that is all about the importance of mother bonding and the investment of time and presence. I ingested that chapter like pure oxygen to a drowning man.

That was just the start. If I don't fall asleep I usually use the end of quiet time to catch up on emails and blog subscriptions. Will you just take a look at the treasures waiting for me in google reader today? TODAY. Seriously, I wept. Who says God doesn't talk? *watery eyed grin*. So here it is... here you are. See how your sharing blessed me today. Pearls of wisdom, of beauty and blessing.

*Noreen* was my first stop. She shared this poem.

Stick-Together Families

The stick-together families
Are happier by far
Than the brothers and sisters
Who take separate highways are;

The gladdest people living
Are the wholesome folks who make
A circle at the fireside
That no power but death can break,

And the finest of conventions
Ever held beneath the sun,
Are the little family gatherings
When busy days are done.

There are some who seem to fancy
That for gladness they must roam,
That for smiles that are the brightest,
They must wander far from home.

That a strange friend is a true friend,
And they travel far astray,
And they waste their lives in striving
For a joy that’s far away.

But the gladdest sort of people
When the busy day is done,
Are the brothers and the sisters
Who together share their fun.

It’s the stick-together family
That wins the joy of earth,
That hears the sweetest music
And finds the finest mirth.

It’s the old home roof that shelters
All the charm that life can give,
And oh, weary wandering brother,
If contentment you would win,

Come you back into the fireside,
And be comrade with your kin.
-Author Unknown

Brandie's *list of 9 things *she loves about staying home with her kids.

This *post* from Lamb of His Flock.

These precious words from Linda in my inbox (and it was HER birthday, and she blessed ME with her sweet gift of words) "You are one of those young mothers that I can say I truly admire. You care about your children, your effect on them and theirs on the world. I applaud you!"

And now tonight, catching up on more blogs that I haven't read in a few days, *this * from Jenni....

Thank you ladies for these pearls today, and for your hearts, which moved me to tears, which in turn washed away the grime that was clogging my vision.