Noah.
He did things a little differently. Remember he was the one who built the ark in obedience to God. Only he was building the ark at a time when there had never been a rainstorm. Not even a tiny sprinkle. Yet he persevered. You see, he was doing what he knew to be right. Followed his convictions. Right. True. A little different. Strange even. I doubt he really understood what the boat was for. He had no concept of what the word "flood" meant.
I get Noah. And I really like him.
He forged on... For the sake of obedience. For the sake of his family.
Have you ever felt like Noah? I have. I do. Over the last two years, things in Bright Sunshiny Day Land have changed dramatically.
We added one funny little guy. He shows us all what living for the moment means. We opened up Bright Sunshiny Homeschool three days a week. We halted a lot of our outside activities. We changed the way we attend worship and church activities. There has been an overwhelming urge to tuck our chicks in a little closer to the nest. Gird up the foundation of how great it is to be a child of God. Protect our children from "black swarmy dreams" and other things that threaten their fragile security. But most of all we strive to find joy in being a family! We want our littles to know who they are in Christ. Their valuable place in our family. To enjoy each other.
This is it folks. We don't get do-overs in raising our families. I don't want to miss a second of it.
When my kids learn more and more about the greatness of God, guess what? I want to be there. When they finally grasp the need to write neatly...I want to be there. When they settle in to read out loud, I want to be the one listening. Or when they learn Scripture, Bible Stories or praise songs. It's my calling. No denying it. My job, Andy's job....not the church, Sunday school teacher or school.
Everyday I feel more and more like Noah. Building and searching. Obeying and providing security for my littles. Searching for what's right. Dodging the flaming arrows and prickly words.
I get it. I'm different. But I'm doing the best I can. I'm praying, seeking and searching for the right way....and hearing the still small voice that says, "this is the way....walk in it."
And guess what? We like us. We are happy. We find comfort and joy in being together! Call us crazy (and some do!) but isn't that what a family is?!
ps Go read Kris! She has a wonderful blog today.