It seems like only yesterday, that my children were all home and our days were very full.  What I can recall with great clarity, are the early years of home schooling.  We were alone in our home school – no HSLDA, no home school organizations.  Back then, the materials we purchased from A Beka Book were geared towards Christian schools – not home schools. 

i remember the day to day tenseness wherein i longed for “more time.”  if only i had more time in the day. . .

This thinking was not from the LORD!  It was my selfishness and pride taking over.  As a young wife and mother, (and new Christian) I was using the world’s standards to measure my life, my appearance, my children, our home, and our home school against.  There were days when I felt resentment towards my situation, thinking – “If only I could spend more time at the piano, I would be happier.” 

What about you – do you have a list of “if only’s?”  Let’s take a quick look at a short list of common “if only’s.”

• If only we had a bigger house
• If only I had help with the housework
• If only the kids were spaced father apart
• If only the kids were spaced closer together
• In only we could afford all the home school materials we want
• If only I had more energy
• If only I had fewer children
• If only I had more children
• If only I could get organized
• If only I felt adequate at teaching
• If only my kids had a desire to learn
• If only my kids would appreciate what I’m doing for them!

The underlying source of the “if only’s” is coveting. 

coveting = desiring something to the degree that  it disturbs your inner peace

For me, the intense desire to play the piano was coveting to the nth degree.  While I knew that it was the LORD’s will for me to home school our children, the overweening call of the keyboard never has left me – even to this day.  It is obsession which must be beaten into submission on a daily basis.  Technically – it could be identified as idolatry as well.  People worship many different things.  Some are house proud, some will covet power and money, others desire fame and popularity, while some actually worship their children!

My singular “if only” problem is very, very sinful, because it demonstrates a lack of contentment to my family and the world at large.  Even if I devote all my time to playing only Christian music, that does not sanitize it.  Waking in the middle of the night and longing for an empty house in order to be able to play the piano at 2:00 am is not from the LORD, nor honoring to the talent He gave me.  The solution to the sin is surrender.  Full surrender to the Lord God Almighty.  And gratitude . . .

Won’t you join me in nailing your “if only” to the cross? 

Prayer:  Dear LORD, my failure is before me.  I confess to You that I have not been content, and I want to show a gratefulness towards You that my family and the rest of the world can see.  I see LORD, that what You have given me, is what You want me to have.  You are all sufficient for me.  I need nothing else. 

In Jesus precious name.  Amen. 

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Uber thrifty washing machine lint filter!

If you sometimes feel like you are feeding a small army – doubtless you at least occasionally buy produce in large bags.  Many of these bags, including potatoes and oranges, come in a bag that is half plastic and half mesh.  

The mesh at right is from a 10 lb. bag of oranges purchased at SAM’s Club.  The front is plastic, and the back is very strong mesh.

Simply cut the mesh from the bag, and toss or recycle the plastic part.

Fold it in half, and serge or sew three sides shut (one may not need sewing since it is the folded edge) leaving the top open.

Here is a completed strainer, this time made out of a Russet potato bag.  The strainer is attached to the washing machine drain hose with an extra long twist tie, which is very easy to remove, with the top inch or so folded over.  If you are using a regular sewing machine, do a double row of stitching for strength. 

We eat a lot of potatoes, and I am always especially happy with the yellow ones because our laundry room is yellow! 

Yet more thriftiness!

I have been buying from a wonderful Christian company called “Taylor’s Cutaways and Stuff,” for decades.  They sell velvet and satin remnants by the pound, and as I am a crazy quilter, this is a dream come true.  But that’s not all they sell!  Right now they are having a their fabulous BOGO cookbook sale!  22 pages of uber thrifty cookbooks to choose from!  Enjoy this delightful website . . .

http://taylorscutaways.com/programs/shop/estore.cgi?lst=1&lnd=12&category=Bargain_Cookbooks

1 Timothy 6:6-7

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.

⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.