MOPS TESTIMONY

Yesterday was the last MOPS of the year. I have come across more than one person who has been living under a rock so in case anyone here has been as well, that stands for Mothers Of Preschoolers. Anyhoo, we had a "Tea and Testimony" and I was asked to share my testimony with no restrictions as to what to testify to. I did not realize until I was finished that there were only to be 2 of us sharing so I was bewildered and honored to have been asked. I had to follow a very passionate testimony, though, that had us all in tears. I deal by cutting up ‘cuz (we’z homeschooled) I don’t like to cry so the class clown had to follow the valedictorian of testimonies. It’s hers so I can’t share for her but her story is a testament to an amazing God.
Knowing most, if not all, of the members were curious about what "caused" us to have eleven children (was I dropped on my head as a child, do I know what "causes" that?, and I homeschool??), I focused my testimony on that little subject. I borrowed some of my material from earlier blogs so forgive the repeats. Here’s basically what I shared after a few examples of God’s provision in response to prayer (shoes, new oven, clothes, etc.):
20 years ago, if you had told me I would be homeschooling and have 11 children, I would have been ROTFLMBO. Not only did I have my future planned out, I knew I was destined to be a terrible parent due to my upbringing and therefore, should not be one. I lacked faith that I had a Father in Heaven who loved me dearly and had greater things planned for me than I could have ever dreamed. Just 4 short months after my 16-year-old brother died from a gun accident, I found myself an unmarried pregnant teenager and my whole world rocked. Right away, I felt that God was trying to get my attention and, though I had been told I was stupid, immature, and irresponsible my whole life, I knew He was telling me that right at that moment in time, I was mature, responsible, and smart enough to be a mommy. I had asked Christ to be my Savior when I was 16 but I had not made Him Lord of my life until that time. I needed Him desperately then and that desperate need has never diminished.
When Craig and I first sensed the conviction that God wanted us to trust Him with planning our family, it was not a difficult decision. We believed and still do believe children are a blessing, that God will provide, and that the Creator of the Universe might know something about family planning and what we can and cannot handle. Where I have struggled with most has been in what I can handle but God has proven faithful through the years. It’s when I come to the place that I can’t do it and I have nothing left that God reminds me that’s right where He wants me and can use me. I have to daily rely on His love, strength, creativity, and be listening for His Holy Nudges in order to be able to be a mom. You don’t have to be a mom of many to be busy or to need patience or to be organized or, or, or. Many Christian folk tell they couldn’t have a bunch of kids like me, they just don’t have the patience. If I’m on the ball, I’ll ask them if they have the Holy Spirit residing in them. After the funny look they give me, they say, "Well, yea."Then I ask them what the fruit of the spirit is. They usually know right away what I’m getting at. Galatians 5:22 &23 says, "But the fruit of the Sprit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." If we have the Holy Spirit then it is Christ who gives us the patience with everything else we need to be a mommy. I am convicted that what I am doing as a mother is supernatural and has eternal value. I am always mindful that I carry the heavy responsibility of being the example my children will see the most of so I better be walking in the spirit. Verse 25 of Gal. 5 says, "Since we live by the Sprit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Receiving God’s spirit is a gift but keeping in step with the Spirit is a choice we must make. It’s trusting He will provide and loving in faith even when the loving is hard that has enabled me to be committed to our family and not feel discouraged when I realize I will at least be homeschooling until 2025!We are enjoying youth group as God intended and together we are learning, celebrating, struggling, ministering together and making memories that are more precious than any career or church or school or club involvement could afford. I will have a season when other activities will be available to me but I intend to be busy as a grandma someday and helping young women in the fine art of mothering. To me, there is nothing more worthwhile that I could be doing.