I am a momma who really loves her life...who really, really loves her life. I love the messy faces that are mine to wipe up, the sticky fingers, the creative homeschool mornings that become afternoons and the mad rush of 4 o'clock. I love the imperfection and trouble shooting that creep into an ordinary day and push perspective and humility into focus. That said, its been a rough month. I found my healthy dose of 'trust in God's sovereign plan for my life' spiraling into the background, becoming a nuisance of an idea really, while my feelings and thwarted plans took center stage. Our christmas was nothing like I planned. We didn't do an advent calendar (gasp!), I didn't make all the beautiful christmas cookies to pass out to the neighbors like I planned. Christmas eve was capped off with a trip to the e.r. ...for me! Christmas came and went, gifts were opened, toys were played with and deposited into the play bin...all without my conscious, meticulous planning. Jesus was born and I was too sick and self-focused to celebrate.
My heart has ached with regrets, my inner sanctuary has felt as cluttered as the leftover christmas decorations and discarded wrapping paper. The transition to 2011 has been vulernable and exposed. And then a bright spot; a life presever of a book arrived, addressed to me and complete with a beautiful tulle bow. I had agreed to be a Gabby Mom reviewer through Eternal Encouragement for this next year, our first mission is this wonderful compilation of 10 years worth of TEACH magazine (now called Eternal Encouragement). I have only gotten familiar with the magazine in the recent past so 10 years of the best articles seemed like a wealth of wisdom. Just holding the book felt like a gift.
I didn't waste any time flipping to the author's welcome and then followed through the book to read each highlighted bio. I know its strange, but I have to familiarize myself with the writer before I read their writing. I want to peer into their life and know their perspective; understand their experience so that reading their work is personal. I was delighted to find author bios self directed and on the outer half of the right pages, this makes for easy finding when flipping through quickly. There is such faith and wisdom represented in the women chosen to offer godly advice. As I read about each author, I was keenly aware that these women had something to offer that I was so hungry for...perspective on this specific season in my life.
The chapter subtitles cleanly broke it down:
Jewels that Make the Heart Sparkle; Marriages of Solid Gold; Parenting Pearls: Practical and Priceless; Homemaking that Dazzles like Diamonds; Homeschooling Nuggets of Wisdom; and Godly Living that Glitters. I found a mission statement of sorts on page 11: "every issue is committed to bringing you encouragement for the path you've chosen: one that the world doesn't always understand! Not only do we understand, but we honor and support your commitment by filling the pages of TEACH magazine with wisdom to encourage you in the main areas of a homemaker's life: spiritual growth, marriage, homemaking, parenting, and homeschooling." Yes!
At a low point for me, this magazine compilation with high spiritual impact and strong scriptural base was provided. Through the pages, I was reminded that being a homemaker is a calling from God. This sometimes thankless work is kingdom work, each load of laundry has importance. I especially appreciated the encouragement to look around and notice the things that I did accomplish today, not all the things not yet done. This season, with three little boys underfoot and homeschooling and laundry and menu planning and committing to give my best time to my husband once the kids are in bed is and will be one of the busiest in my life. The reminder that this is a season and the kids will grow up and I will desperately miss the blessings and the messiness that surround me now, jump started my engine. The wallowing stopped. The articles are spilling over with God's truths, encouragements to young mothers to keep on His path, ideas to make life smoother from experienced hands. This is a true treasure. I found the introduction by Tena Cinnamon to be beautifully scripted and true in my heart: "The words in this book have been collected, sorted and prayed over specifically for you. No, we don't know each of you personally, but our Lord does. ... He works in wonderful ways to knit and tie us all together to bring Glory to His Kingdom and Bride."
You can read more about this beautiful book here: http://www.homemakingwithteach.com/
disclaimer: I received this product for honest review from TEACH magazine as part of The Gabby Moms blogging program. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
