The Freedom to Be Available

September 8, 2008

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:1-2

As  homeschool moms one of our biggest challenges is not to commit to everything we want to. There are so many great things to choose from, and then when you have more than one child with their own special interest and talents, it sure does make it hard not to fill up the calendar with practice  meetings, games, recitals, plays, co-ops, etc…

Looking back over our fifteen plus years of homeschooling we have got some great memories, but I also look at seasons when we were way too busy. At times I think we encouraged more of an individualistic (me-first) mentality, instead of thinking more as a family unit. There were times when we should have reconsidered what was best for the family as a whole. Does each child really have to be involved in a club, take music lessons, belong to a team and a half a dozen other activities each year? 

Being over-commitment can create self-centered kids, exhausted parents and a chaotic house. Being over-committed is trying enough, but then add in doctor and dentist appointments, birthday parties, church events, flu viruses, a death, a pregnancy or a family crisis and it doesn't take much to push mom or dad to their limit.

I am NOT saying we should not be involved in any outside activities, lessons, clubs or teams, but I do think we have to be prayerful about how much time we commit to self-development. We need to be careful that we are taking good care of Home Base and the relationships that are there FIRST, and you can’t do that if no one is home most of the time.

Even more important than being stretched to the max with time, patience and resources is the issue of availability. When a family's schedule is booked so tight, there is little flexibility to be available to serve others when needs arise. Sickness, injuries and death don't make appointments, neither do fear, depression or bad attitudes; they just show up one day. These seem to be the times that people are in the most sincere need. Unfortunately, there are few people who have the time or freedom to drop everything and run to meet unexpected needs. Our modern culture has both parents working jobs outside the home; then there are meetings, classes, teams and clubs to run to, leaving little time to sit and hold the hand of an elderly neighbor as she struggles with loneliness or take a meal to a pregnant mom.

This year as I planned our school schedule my main priority was not to become too busy; I wanted a lot of flexibility. Granted this year I only have one child left to 'school', but all the more reason to limit being too committed. It would be very easy to start doing all those 'ME things' I've putting off, but I have to remember my purpose, my objective. I want to be available; our family needs to be available when the unexpected happens.

Being available has a two-fold purpose. It will teach your children that life is not about them; it will give them and us much need practice at putting others first. The second benefit is that you are serving Christ by serving others. THAT is what our life should be about!

I think of the story of the Samaritan that was laying along side the road in need.  It was the man that stopped and cared for him that showed his religion in action.

One of the greatest blessings of being a stay-at-home wife and mother, who is a bit older now and my children almost grown, is that I have the freedom to be available. Now that Olivia has graduated, yet still busy learning, she also has the freedom and flexibility to minister when and where she is needed. It is usually small things that are unnoticed, but they are still things that need doing. People often do not understand what an older girl who is still at home does; all I’ve got to say is that the list is endless!!!  Freedom to serve is so rewarding.

Tomorrow we’ll discuss ways to be available to serve.

"I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him.

I ended up by asking Him to do His work through me."

- J. Hudson Taylor

Part Two: Be Available on Purpose

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Topics: Being Available, Teaching Them Well | 5 Comments »