Leap of Faith Poetry's

DEVOTIONAL READING #5

                    Blessings, not Burdens

Julie Schwartz

I was in the grocery store yesterday waiting for my turn at the deli when I overheard a conversation between two women. It was one I have heard many times in one form or another. It went something like this:

"So, how have you been? How old are your children now?"

"I've been great - my oldest is 14 and starts high school next year, then I have one turning 10, and this is my youngest," (pats the head of the child standing next to her), "He's five. He starts kindergarten in the fall and then I'm done!" she says enthusiastically.

It breaks my heart to hear this. Imagine how it must break the heart of the child standing at her side. Does he feel like a burden to his mother? To his little ears, it sounds like she will finally be rid of him at some time in the near future. How sad. And what a sad commentary for our society.

I home school my youngest daughter and always have. One day in late summer when she was young, a cashier casually commented, "I bet you can't wait for school to start." I was shocked and appalled at the time, but have now become accustomed to that pervasive attitude.

Even in home schooling circles, I often hear mothers being commended for the "sacrifice" they have made to home school their children. Sacrifice? I don't feel that I have sacrificed anything - quite the opposite - I feel extremely fortunate! I have the privilege of spending time with my children and watching them learn and discover. I see each day as a precious gift. Does that sound pretentious? It isn't meant to. I'm sure my past has had a profound effect on my present attitude.

As a young woman I was told by two gynecologists that it was unlikely that I would be able to have children. My husband and I have been blessed with two wonderful daughters and we are thankful every day for them. I remember that when I was expecting I couldn't understand why women would complain about being pregnant and looking "fat." Sure, I had morning sickness and backaches, but I was so happy just being able to experience both the good and the bad since I never thought I was going to get that chance!

Another big event happened that influence my attitude when I was very young. I was ten years old when my oldest brother died tragically in a fishing accident. He was only sixteen. One day he was there, and the next gone forever. I learned that each day is precious and the gift of family is to be treasured.

As I write this, I have only a few short years before my youngest child heads off to college or marriage or whatever life holds for her. I intend to enjoy each and every remaining day I have with her while she is home. We have fun learning things together as we home school, and we enjoy life in general. We are very close; we're best friends. (Yes, you can be a friend and still be an effective parent, but that's another story!)

My oldest daughter and I are very close as well. She recently graduated from college and our family has been so lucky to have her spend a year with us as she fulfills her internship requirements and prepares for her new life. I face her "leaving the nest" with both joy and sorrow - joy that she is following her dream, and sorrow that she will be moving away. But I am confident that, while we may live in different homes, we will always be a close and integral part of each others' lives.

No one will argue that raising a family is hard work and often exhausting, but in my opinion, home-making is still the single most satisfying career a woman can have. Children are a blessing, not a burden. Our time with them is precious. That is the most important lesson they will learn while they are at home.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD..." Psalm 127:3

READ ALL OUR  DEVOTIONS:         A New Year        The Closet of Forgiven Sins        There's More to Me...        Stained       Blessing, not Burden      My Father       Who are Your Giants?

Copyright © 1989-2008  Julie Schwartz

Back To: |  Home Page  

Copyright © 1989-2008, Julie Schwartz  All Rights Reserved
 L. O. F. P.   Sarasota, FL