Treasure

"Don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
-Matthew 6:19-21

I have been known to make myself physically ill while reading current events. Spend an evening in our house and you will hear political vomit, appalling news about child abuse/murder and other disturbing news reports. Just as "we are what we eat," we can also be what we surround ourselves with. I have come to realize that marinating ourselves in garbage, produces garbage.

In trying to set my priorities, the above scripture came to mind. We often put aside so much to obtain more. Our culture glorifies glamour and worships fame and fortune. But all that we aquire on this earth stays on this earth. All these "things" are simply that . . . "things." No amount of money or prestige can change that the shiny black car, is really only a shiny black car. It doesn't feel. It doesn't love.

Part of what I am learning about with this homeschooling experience is how little "things" matter. What matters is really so simple.

When Mike and I started the Youth Ranch, we did so because we wanted our life's work to be for God's Kingdom. Children are our treasure and we are commanded to protect and teach our children. What I didn't realize is that they really have so much to teach us about being Godly. What are they learning from me if I am completely engrossed in the evils of the world? How are they to be little lights in a dark world when they grow up without words of hope . . . of TRUTH? What can I expect from them if they see us focus on what money can buy?

This lifestyle we are now living is me trying to be the mother I am not. I'm just not but I want to be. I want to be that Mom who sprawls out on the floor and plays games, not thinking about all that needs to be done. I want my center to be God and family and in order to do that, I have to put that first. And because I am so stubborn about MY WAYS, I have to home school because I know this will FORCE me to sit down. I knew my fear of failing my children would slow me down. And it's working. Today we played. I even thought of an idea for us to engage in pretend play. I felt silly doing it but you know what . . . I didn't think about the state of this world once.

P.S. As I am writing this and deep in thought, I just noticed my son sticking the brain sucker thingy they give you at the hospital when your baby is born, in his nose and making sucking sounds. Gotta love three year olds ( ;