Saturday, May 19, 2012

mother plants swiss chard


We had always been more conservative than most, and so would occasionally throw out the TV for a needed respite.  Then we usually would get another one after a few months.  But this time we won't get cable.  Just the "safe" channels.  Maybe we'll just use the monitor for good "Christian" videos or DVDs. 

Even though we lived a seemingly healthy, wholesome life already -- homeschooling, spending lots of quality time with each child, teaching them spiritually...I still had that low, underlying fear vibrating so softly underneath.

I had become scared and fearful.  My not-very-old Christianity told me to fear.   The Bible says to fear God.  I also had fear of what the future held for our children.  Fear of not being able to overcome the evils of the world.  Fear I would ruin our children.  Fear that Satan would worm his way into our lives so subtly that we wouldn't even notice, like C. S. Lewis described in The Screwtape Letters.

While homeschooling the children, we had started using a Mennonite curriculum.  I felt such a peace when reading aloud the little storybooks.  So pure and wholesome:

God Gave Us Work

Our family's all outside tonight:
Big brother mows the yard,
My sister's weeding flower beds,
And Mother plants Swiss chard.
 



 
Helping Mother

Molly was six years old. Her little brother Timothy had just turned three. 
They lived with their father and mother in a little house in the country.
One day Mother was very sick. She was so sick that she had to stay in bed, 
so Grandma came to spend the day while Father was at work.
Molly wanted to help Mother too but she did not know what to do.
"Dear God," she prayed, "please show me how I can help Mother."






Whenever I ordered some schoolbooks, I'd also order a few extras for me, some booklets and pamphlets, being the voracious reader I am. The Mennonite stance on competitiveness was exactly how I'd always felt.  We had never felt quite comfortable with our children being in those fighting sports, where the goal is always to beat somebody -- to always try and be better than another.

Their stance on non-resistance was another area we agreed with.  Doesn't the Bible say "Love your enemies and bless them that curse you?"  It doesn't say "Love your enemies except when the government says to kill," I thought.


We were finding so many areas that we agreed upon. And the little storybooks were so peaceful.  I wondered if there were people who actually lived these principles, who lived this wholesome, simple life.

7 comments:

  1. Enjoyed reading your post Jimi :)

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  2. Hi, Jimi! ~

    I didn't realize you are (were?) Mennonite -- Very interesting! I'm looking forward to learning more about this and what it means to you...

    I can tell you that, although I'm not Mennonite, I definitely felt this when raising my kids: "I had become scared and fearful. My not-very-old Christianity told me to fear. The Bible says to fear God. I also had fear of what the future held for our children. Fear of not being able to overcome the evils of the world. Fear I would ruin our children. Fear that Satan would worm his way into our lives so subtly that we wouldn't even notice..."

    Lovely post. Thank you for sharing! XO

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  3. I've been reading a lot about people who live very simply and mindfully. That way of life is definitely intriguing and has its appeal..but I know it's something that's not doable for my family and I. I think we can definitely make our lives less complicated ...getting out in nature, less television, an emphasis on a regular schedule of chores, to help instill some of the work ethic and mindset that comes so naturally with people who do live more simple lives.

    Religion definitely has a way of creating fear...Hope as time goes by, your fear more and more dissipates. Just being a parent can overwhelm a person with fear sometimes...with or without religion! I often fear that I will ruin my kids as well! I can see so many mistakes I've made, and pray for grace. I guess that's all we can do...try out best..and hope or pray for the best.

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  4. Jimi Ann - I'm enjoying walking with you as you retrace your journey. I can see the motivation to give your children the best possible atmosphere while your family walks in the fear of the Lord.

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  5. My mom experiences the same fears you shared in your post, Jimi Ann. Even if she doesn't say them directly to me and my sister, I feel it so strongly in her actions and in her tendency to be controlling. Sometimes I want to assure her that my faith won't let me go astray, so that she wouldn't worry too much.

    Thank you for opening your heart once more, Jimi Ann. God bless <3

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  6. Some of the religious beliefs they teach us are so wrong and create a big fear. I was always told as a child that if I lie, if i'm not obedient etc, Jesus will come and strangle me during my sleep :(

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