We recently made the leap into Sonlight curriculum (thanks Sarah, Laney, Carrie, Raising Olives, and Heidi Whitman for all your help in making this transition as smooth as possible!) I’m still hashing out a few things (could be a blog post of its very own at a later date), but for the most part we are enjoying the change of pace.
As a thank you for buying one of their Core curriculum sets, you receive a pendant made from a mite, the same sort of mite the widow from Mark 12:41-44. would have dropped into the treasury at the temple in Jesus’ time. The pendant is a reminder of the sacrifices homeschooling mothers must make each and every day to be able to homeschool. To some it may seem small and insignificant…to those of us living it, we know how tremendous it truly is.
For me, the pendant took on another meaning as well. I wear it on the same chain as the silver locket containing my precious Emily’s picture.
This locket, given to me by my dear La Leche League friends, is also a symbol of sacrifice. While I did not willingly give up my Emmy, I have had to learn to live daily in an attitude of willing sacrifice. As the song says, “Blessed be Your Name on the road marked with suffering…there is pain in the offering…blessed be Your Name.”
There are those who will tell you that living what you believe and being who you are in Christ doesn’t carry any pain or sacrifice. They are wrong. True, we’d rather not endure any hardships, but hardships do not mean we’ve done something wrong. It is iron that sharpens iron. Flowers and smiley face stickers don’t quite do the trick. Sometimes this life we live is hard. And that is okay. It is an offering. It is a sacrifice.
Read some of my favorite posts on living the sacrifice:
Oh The Pain from my sister-in-law Stephanie at Strength Will Rise Up (on the sacrifice of becoming a Proverbs 31 woman)
A Mother’s Day Musing from Allison at Olive Plants
Suffering ~ God’s Will? from Lynnette at Dancing Barefoot
(You can purchase your own mite pendant at The Jerusalem Gift Shop. )
Would you like to read about our first 6 weeks using Sonlight? Read the Series:
Six Weeks of Sonlight
Beautiful Mess says
Love the picture of your babe with the locket-touching!
Thank you for the links! Thank you mostly for giving us your heart!
I am blessed! says
We’re doing Sonlight this year for the first time, and it is a huge sacrifice. Last year the older two kids were pretty much on their own doing independent work. I love the togetherness of Sonlight, but it has been much harder for me to schedule that quality reading together time around the 1 and 3 year olds. I have very little down time this way, but I wouldn’t go back. The time we have together during read alouds is worth it!
Erin says
Thank you for those links, Amy. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I actually started to understand that God “doesn’t promise us a rose garden” just because we’re trusting in Him – that He actually promises that there WILL be suffering and sacrifice involved. Its strange how convoluted so many preachings and teachings can be to deny that fact. But the important thing is what else He promises amidst the suffering – His peace, His comfort, His presence, and that He will sustain us.
Also, I’d love to hear how Sonlight is going for you – I wrote a post just last week about how we’re considering making the switch to Sonlight next year!
Sandi says
Amy, what a great post.
We like Lynette, had a pastor say directly to us that God never wants us sick or suffering. I was carrying my son Jonah who died at birth not long after that.
Those hurtful times are what drove me to God and to understand and rest in his sovereign hand.
Since then I have faced many hard things and the peace comes from knowing He is in control and allowing what is before me.
Our church is going through James. Just last week our pastor commented that each trial is tailor made for each person…so we should never compare our suffering. Real wisdom in my opinion. And he commmented that once we get to heaven and see the big picture and God’s goodness in all he allows…that then we would make the same choice for ourselves that at the time was so difficult. Made me think!
Thanks for sharing. I have always been intrigued by Sonlight.
Luke says
I am glad that Sonlight has been working for you thus far! May it continue to be a blessing.
And, yes: There are absolutely sacrifices tied life following Christ. May we rest in the grace we need to walk the path set before us.
~Luke
Kristy says
Very good post Amy. Love the mite necklace. It is such a help to see believers go on with God’s help and grace after such tragedy. It gives us hope. Thanks for sharing.
Amy @ Raising Arrows says
Oh, you guys make me smile! I am blessed by all of you!
Amy
Anonymous says
Wow! I was definately going to comment on this post, and then I saw one of my own posts here, and I am very humbled. Thank you!
I have walked the road of suffering alot these last few months, and the pain in the offering has been real. (I love that song) I dont think it’s possible to live a TRUE Christian life and not feel the sacrifices.
Thanks for this post. It has ministered to me more than you may ever know. 🙂
Stephanie
Dusti says
You are inspiring~Thank you for writing from your heart about things that are not always easy to share. I have met many challenges when I become a christian, when I started homeschooling, and then when we went over the status quo two kids.
Thank you for being a light.
Amy @ Raising Arrows says
Erin,
I am planning on doing a review of our first 6 wks w/ Sonlight so stay tuned!
Amy
Michelle says
Hello!
I came here via carnival – great posting. So much truth in it. Hope the sonlight goes well – I’ve never looked at that one.