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Big Picture/Little Picture by Christine Field

What’s your life plan? What are the big dreams you dream for your life?

How about the kids? Does their future hold grand greatness?

This type of thinking is everywhere in our culture – both in and out of the church. We are counseled to go for the gold and reach for our dreams.

These are good things, but are these the best things?

I think sometimes we put ourselves and our children under undue stress and cloud their thinking. Life becomes a burden to figure it all out with some master plan. When the kids don’t have it all the answers by the time they are 21, how does that make us feel? I would submit to you that rather than judging them we should feel compassion for them because they are stumbling along the same path of life as we are.

While I do believe that God has a plan and a purpose for each of us, He doesn’t always reveal it to us all at once.

Yet, we hear stories of people who got great revelations and sudden answers to prayer that set their plans and their paths straight. It’s human nature to want that – to get the definitive answer to all of life’s questions.

In life has that been your experience? When a situation or relationship puzzles or troubles you, it usually takes time, effort and prayer. There are no instant solutions.

So we need to dream big dreams and have a big picture for our lives and the lives of our children, but in reality we live our lives in the little picture.

What do we really have control over? Only the next step, only the thing in front of you. We have to live a little picture life while maintaining a big picture perspective.

Every minute is a choice. Often a small choice, a small picture. Make these well and we may reach our big picture dreams.

Be faithful first in the small things.

Swiftly flow the years … by Christine Field

Another year ending, a time for reflection. The photo on the top was taken in 1997, and the one on the bottom in 2010. Thirteen years have flown by and the kids are now (L to R) 19, 13,16 and 21. And we have a lovely grandson who is 15 months.

Although the days at home may seem to go very slowly, the years fly by very quickly. One day you will wake up and notice they are nearly grown! Don’t miss the journey.

This all puts me in the mind of resolutions - fleeting thigs they are, soon forgotton after the holiday festivities.

Rather than resolutions, consider renewing your vision and priorities. Remembering these principles of the heart can make 2011 simpler and smoother.

1. I will worry less and pray more, leaning not on my own understanding or plans.

2. I will see the connectedness of subjects and explore with my children how they fit in God’s plan for History and what role they will play in it with their gifts and talents for His glory.

3. I will remember that I can call on lifelines for help – friends, my husband and others – to share the adventure of education.

4. I will see the gold to be mined in the wisdom and skills of grandparents and other relatives, inviting them to participate in mentoring and teaching.

5. I will not let my homemaking duties crush my joy, but will put systems in place to get the whole family involved in making the home run smoothly.

6. I will remember that listening to a book on tape can be done anywhere – cuddling on the couch, riding in the car, or folding laundry.

7. I will see the blessing in each child more, even when they get on my nerves.

8. I will ask my husband for help and be specific, rather than complain about his lack of involvement.

9. I will keep in mind that summer is coming when there will be time for both reflection and remediation.

10. I will remember our vision for homeschooling – raising the next generation for Christ – and thank God daily for the privilege.

Christine Field