Rejoice with Me. The Paper Came!
I have prayed for many things in my life, but to the best of my recollection, this summer is the first time that I have prayed for paper. Yesterday I learned that the paper to print America the Beautiful has arrived at the printer and that their ship date is August 11.
I am praising God today for answering my prayers for paper! We had hoped that the books would arrive sooner, but with the paper shortage the printer was experiencing, I am grateful that things are on track for families to be able to use this curriculum this fall.
Yesterday I was chatting with a friend whose family homeschooled in Cookeville at the same time we did. As we discussed the state of the culture (a common topic among our friends), I told him how emotionally challenging it had been to write about American history at this particular time in history. He wisely and correctly pointed out that it must also have felt like a great mission. He is right. It was. I was thrilled with that wonderful description our friend helped me to see:
Writing about American history in 2020 and 2021 was a challenge and a great opportunity. While I struggled over word after word, I also felt a burning passion to write them. I ached to tell the story well and to point the children to God. I pray God will use it to His glory.
Now He has provided the paper. Praise Him.
In Luke 15, Jesus told three parables about losing, finding, and rejoicing. In the first parable, a shepherd with 100 sheep lost one of them and found it. He called together his friends and neighbors, saying:
Rejoice with me,
because I have found my sheep that was lost!
Luke 15:6b
In the second parable, a woman with 10 coins lost one of them and found it. She called together her friends and neighbors, saying:
Rejoice with me,
because I have found my coin which I had lost!
Luke 15:9b
The pinnacle of Jesus’ teachings in chapter 15 is in His third parable about something lost. This time it is a lost son. In the parable, the lost son finally came to himself and returned to his father and:
. . . his father saw him and felt compassion for him,
and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
Luke 15:20b
The father was overcome with joy. He commanded his slaves to prepare a celebration, saying:
” . . . let’s eat and celebrate;
for this son of mine was dead
and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.”
And they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:23b-24
At the end of the parable about the found sheep, Jesus had said:
I tell you that in the same way,
there will be more joy in heaven
over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need of repentance.
Luke 15:7
And at the end of the parable about the found coin, Jesus had said:
In the same way, I tell you,
there is joy in the presence of the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.
Luke 7:10
Our heavenly Father has created every human being and each of us has sinned and fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:23). As I was winding up this post yesterday evening, I came upon this passage which I believe speaks volumes for this particular time in history.
Now flee from youthful lusts
and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace
with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations,
knowing that they produce quarrels.
The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome,
but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged,
with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition,
if perhaps God may grant them repentance
leading to the knowledge of the truth,
and they may come to their senses
and escape from the snare of the devil,
having been held captive by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:22-26