This week has been a trying one for our family and those we love. There are many needs around us and we try to discern what is most needful. Here we are at week 3 of the new school year and we are already having to take the week off.

We have family from out of state visiting this week, that alone blows a schedule, but it is well worth it. Jeff’s uncle is in bad health, on oxygen, etc… and it is sobering to think that this may be the last time we see him.

That combined with dear friends delivering a baby with very special needs, another friend hospitalized with serious complications from cancer surgery, our son (22) in the ER in another state who ended up having out patient surgery for infected wisdom teeth, and yesterday being the one year  anniversary of my friend Jan’s death has really made it  impossible to keep any kind of schedule. The ‘Martha’ side of me is thinking, “How in the world will I ever get it all done?”, yet the ‘Mary’ side of me is saying, “Do what is important.”

Doing what is important is sometimes going through the extra trouble and expense of a nice meal, or simply sitting for a few hours to visit during the day, even though the work is stacking up all around you. It’s all about relationships! Martha was always fretting about getting the work done, yet Mary knew her relationship, her short, precious time of sitting with The One she loved most was the important thing!

When your children attend public school and mothers work regular jobs leaving little room for flexibility, life pretty much revolves around school and work. But when you homeschool and/or work from home everything revolves around LIFE!

We have had to put a lot of things on hold this week while we take care of the most important things, family and friends in need!

I have seen others who have older children in the family offer their time and labor to help out those in need around us this week.

I love living in such a wonderful Christian community, where so many are willing to give of themselves. Where none of us is perfect, but there is love.

Sometimes the important thing and needful thing is to put the routine and the schedule on hold because God wants us to do the more valuable thing; to feed His sheep.

It is a blessing to see older teens in so many families willingly step up to help these hurting families with child care, meals, house and yard work. It is a beautiful thing to watch as these young people who have been taught how to take care of themselves and those around them.

God does not call everyone to the foreign mission field.  Most often the mission field is all around us as we live a life of being available; as we live a life building strong families and open homes. This will be the primary means of advancing the Gospel! If we are too consumed with  institutions, industries, material goods and activities then I dare say we are not consumed with being sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

Please pray for sweet,  Baby Baxter, my friend Rob and Jeff’s Uncle Frank. God knows their needs.

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Kathy

writer, video producer, wife and mother at Teaching Good Things

Titus 2:3 says that we are to be "...teachers of good things...". We believe that part of these good things are practical skills that we all need in every day life to care for our family and neighbors. One of our primary responsibilities as parents is equip our children with the skills and tools to one day be productive, well rounded adults. Children need to be exposed to many different areas of work. Not only should they know how to work, but they should want to work. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17

Latest posts by Kathy (see all)

• Homeschooling on a Sick Day - January 8, 2013
• The Brodock Family Motto for 2013 - January 2, 2013
• Christmas 2012 - January 2, 2013
• Please Pass the Salt - December 28, 2012
• Why We MUST Celebrate! - December 20, 2012