Set Apart

I recently heard a mom discussing how our culture will deem  her homeschooled children odd. She responded, "Of course my children are odd, and yours will be too." Her point was that because she had chosen an unconventional route, her children will be deemed unconventional. Now I do not homeschool and unless God reveals that we should do any different, all three of our children will be taught in public schools. However, I do still hope my children are odd! I hope I am teaching them to take the narrow road and to avoid the traps children of our day fall into. I pray that they will choose to follow Jesus rather than all the false gods that vie for their allegiance. For myself, I aim to make daily changes that set me apart from other women my age, and steer me closer to the life God wants me to live. Sometimes this has been easy. For instance, it was easy to raise my hands in the air at my conservative church as I sang Chris Tomlin's "Indescribable" just a few days away from delivering the precious baby that God knit together inside me. Other times this has been a difficult path. In high school, it was difficult to choose my college based on ministry options rather than academic prestige. In college, it was difficult being excluded from social gatherings because I didn't drink underage or take drugs. In my relationship with my boyfriend (now, husband), I took criticism and ridicule for wanting to honor God with our physical relationship. Today, I feel the Holy Spirit nudging me to live a holy life that sets me apart from those who do not believe. It might be as simple as turning off a tv show that doesn't honor Him. It might be as difficult as choosing to love someone whether they love you in return, when everything and everyone around tells us to give up, turn our back, or move on with hate in our heart and cutting words on our lips. It is my hope to encourage my friends and family with this blog and with my conversations to take the narrow path, no matter how difficult it is or how much pain you may feel.

Disclaimer: I hope that my posts do not sound sanctimonious. I don't mean to sound like I have it all figured out. If you know me, you'll know that I certainly do not have it all together! I have taken the wide road many more times than I have taken the narrow one. I have disobeyed God in pivotal moments. I am thankful that God has remained by my side even in my darkest, most rebellious hours. I have let down my friends, and family in so many more ways than I can count. I'm thankful that they have had enough grace to stand by me long enough to see the small changes I have made and will continue to make with God's help!