I was leisurely walking through Walmart and I was pushing my 4 year old Olivia in the cart.  A sales man stopped me and asked me what daycare I used for my daughter.  I responded that I took care of her and did not use a daycare.

“Oh, okay.”  he replied as he lifted his eyebrows in surprise.

I continued on with my shopping and was soon passing by that same area in the store again.  A different man this time stopped me and asked me how much we payed for our television service each month.  I promptly told him that we did not have any type of cable / TV service.

“Oh”,  his voice fell flat.

I walked on pondering in my mind at how unusual and odd I must have seemed to these men.  Our family’s decisions and ethics of living have unfortunately fallen in the minority of this world today.  To think that I could make it through each day without TV and just the mere fact that I am homeschooling NINE children right now with 4 teens in the house and one infant, one toddler, and one preschool age child “blows” the mind of most people.  Yet, to me, it is a way of life that brings nothing but reward after reward.  Yes, it is ONLY the power of God that makes us successful at anything we do, but it is also a determination to do right. ( 2Ch 34:31 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.) 

I will not say that my life is a “piece of cake”.  BUT………as I faithfully trod through each day, I am blessed ABOVE MEASURE time and time again.  When we made the decision to have the children that we (so far) have, I was NOT going to plead, “Pitty Party” to all who asked me about my life.  The world may paint the picture that too many children are a “trial” in life, but my God tells me different……….. Ps 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Unfortunately, I have been around far too many people that act like a “martyr” because they are a Mom of many children.  Yes, it takes grit determination to “stay the course” as a godly wife and mother and to rise yet again……………..every time I fail.  (Pr 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.)  

I get so weary of hearing time and again of ANOTHER shooting somewhere in the world. Innocent lives are taken and the family is left broken, grieving for their lost loved one.  Usually the killer has a plan.  They have a evil “vision” for their course of action and how they will eventually “pull the trigger” as they massacre helpless victims.  As they strategically plan, and then act out their strategy, the bullet goes flying through the air and when it hits its mark, they sit back in an evil smugness that their mission was accomplished.

Not long ago, my husband and I went to a gun safety class so that we could eventually get our carry concealed certificate.  I have to admit, that this was NOT in my comfort zone.  I did not grow up with brothers and to even touch a real gun intimidated me.  But, I knew that it was necessary for me to learn to be more confident and safe conscious around guns.  When we went to the shooting range to practice what we had learned on our pistols, I, at first, wanted to just run away from it all than to actually have to step up to the shooting range and pull that trigger.   However, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, hitting practically the bulls eye the first time I shot.

As much as I am thankful that I have this training and experience now “under my belt” (pardon the pun……..smile) I cannot help but ask myself why this influx of shootings has lately taken place.  It is then that I am reminded of the many times I walk through various stores and see the evil all over the shelves.  The market for video games has sky-rocketed and so much of it is just plain…………well, for lack of better words – TRASH!!  It fills our youngsters minds and hearts with a thirst and hunger for killing and evil.  Yet, the Bible tells to fill our minds with the very opposite.   Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

My GREAT fear is that Christians have followed closely behind the world in what they allow in their homes.  We are just simply NOT passionate anymore about protecting and nurturing our children in the ways of the Lord.   Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Sometimes I wonder if we actually provoke their thoughts and lives to wrath because of what we put before their very eyes.  Parents, many times, fall back on relying in the church Youth Group or Youth Pastor or Christian School to “raise” their children for the Lord………….settling back into a “:hands off” approach of parenting and trusting that fate will see them through. We turn a blind eye to our concerns and trust that we are doing our best and then fall back in shock when they go astray into the world as young adults.

Please allow me to take a moment to clarify that I am certainly NOT boasting myself of tomorrow, because I know not what a day may bring forth in the lives of my children, but I DO KNOW THIS…………..I CAN BRAG ON MY JESUS AND HIS WAYS.  When we as parents become truly passionate about raising our children and apply God’s principles to our lives, we CAN trust in HIM ALONE and with hope and encouraging expectancy, look to the future.  Years ago, people used to warn us with a sad voice, “Wait until your children become teenagers………….they will not be so sweet and obedient anymore!!” It was almost as if our children’s well-behaved manner irritated them and they wanted to warn us of our certain pending failures and disappointments we SURELY would face in the future. Well, we have 4 teenagers right now and I can truly say they are a joy in our home.  They love God, and are faithful to Him, to us, and their siblings.  No, they are not perfect and neither are we as parents………..but I honestly can say, I am blessed beyond measure.

May I share a story with you?  The other day our children got a very small portion of money from a dear couple at a church we sang at in Florida.  They were so excited to get that small amount and David and I eagerly took them to the store to let them spend it.  The small children got candy and the older children we left behind at the store for awhile to leisurely look for what they may want.  David dropped me, the babies, and small children back to the RV and went back to the store to pick up the oldest 5 children.  When they walked through the door of the RV upon arriving home, I was eager to see what they chose with their meager amount of money.  They, with smiling faces, handed me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and gave both David and I a chocolate heart.  I cried.  Their sacrifice meant SO much to me and was unexpected.  They give from their hearts and I am truly honored by them.  Our children are always quick to obey and keep their possessions and rooms neat and tidy.  I am taking this moment to praise my children because they would not brag of these things themselves.  (Pr 27:2 ¶ Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.) 

I ask myself how I became SO blessed?  I am NO ONE special, but I do know this, I have a plan.  It is falling to my knees in prayer and seeking the wisdom and face of God on how to be successful in this challenging job of motherhood.  Where are the “Mamas” of this day and age that will rise up and have a godly plan for their children.  Give up the frills of this world and take a step of faith and be a stay at home Mom.  Pour your life into every aspect of your parenting.  Don’t get weary in well doing, but beg God for strength for each new day.  (Ga 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.)  There it is again………..another promise from God.  Claim, with confidence, the promises of God.

He does NOT break His promises to us.  ( Pr 22:6 ¶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.)  Unfortunately, I have heard so many parents “explain away” that verse, however, it seems pretty clear to me.  It is a promise from God, and I know that I can trust His promises.

So, if my children DO depart from it, I will trust that it is NOT because God broke a promise to me, but rather WE (as parents) dropped the ball in our training somehow.  Yes, our child does have a free-will and will answer to God for their own sin, but if our child does go astray, (God forbid that it should happen) we would have to bear the sorrow of watching that child flounder in the unsettling ways of Satan’s plan and we would wipe away our tears, knowing that we perhaps share in the fault in not being passionate enough about our training.  ( De 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. )  I can humbly, but honestly say that this is what I do with my children.  We are constantly taking “life’s lessons” and sitting down as a family and talking about them.  Our children LOVE these talks and we have so much fun opening up our hearts to each other.  Satan HATES these words that I am typing right now and certainly has (I’m sure) put our family in his cross-hairs.  Thankfully though, I am on the WINNING SIDE!!  We MUST walk circumspectly though for Satan is as a rouring lion…………seeking whom he may devour.  (1Pe 5:8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:)

Just like the evil man or woman that may commit these TRAGIC shootings – following their strategic plan, we must PLAN our course of action with our children.  Parenting must not happen haphazardly, but with passion and vision. Too many parents just get tired and in a way, give up.  Sure, they may still go to church, and be good, moral people, – perhaps even be in the ministry, but are they diligent in their training and family “pow-wows”?  Oh sure, the world will read this and say that you are brain-washing them, but like my husband says, “I’d rather be ‘brain-washed’ than ‘brain-dirtied’………….smile.

As we travel, we are in SO many revival services with awesome preaching from men of the faith.  It encourages and cleanses my mind from the relentless assaults of this world.  By the power of Christ, we must combat the evil in this world.  (Ro 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.)  Constantly be looking for ways to fill your home with godly influences.

With all this said,  I got to thinking of a shooting that I hope and pray is successful someday in hitting its mark.  David’s and my prayer is that we can send our children out into life someday and that they will “hit the mark”.  ( Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.)  

WE MUST NOT SETTLE BACK AND BECOME DISTRACTED AS PARENTS!  

THE MARKSMAN IS FOCUSED, CONCENTRATING AND PURPOSE DRIVEN!

ANOTHER GENERATION NEEDS TO RISE UP AND SERVE OUR JESUS WITH PASSION AND PERHAPS THEN, THERE MAY BE HOPE FOR REVIVAL IN THIS GREAT NATION!!  

RISE UP, Mamas, WITH A RENEWED VIGILANCE FOR YOUR HOMES AND FAMILIES!  BE THAT VIRTUOUS WOMAN…………….FOR GOD’S RETURN DRAWETH NEAR…………FOR SIGNS OF THE TIMES ARE EVERYWHERE!

EQUIP YOUR HUSBANDS AND PUT IN THEIR HANDS “ARROWS”, THAT WHEN THEY PULL BACK ON THAT BOW STRING AND SEND FORTH THEIR GROWN CHILDREN INTO ADULT LIFE, THAT ARROW WILL FLY STRAIGHT AND HIT THE MARK!!  ( Ps 127:4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.) 

Another shooting??……………..Let’s combat the evil of this world with a renewed zealousness to raise up godly children for Christ, so that when we send them into the world, they will “hit the mark” God intended for their lives!!

Serving my Jesus for HE ALONE IS WORTHY,

Jill Rodrigues