Recently, I have been doing a summer Bible study with some precious friends. I've had this book sitting around collecting dust for several years and never took the time to read it. I'm so glad my friends asked me to join them. The name of the study - Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit by Teri Maxwell. PLEASE DO NOT STOP READING YET! Hang with me here! Those who don't homeschool, keep reading. If you don't even have children, don't stop here. Let me say that this book would be good for any Christian to read, especially moms and wives. Even though not every mom homeschools, we are always teaching our kiddos something when they are nearby. It may be love or hate, academics or values, giving or taking, building up or tearing down - whatever we are doing with our children, we are always teaching them something either positive or negative. They learn from us by default - just by being with us. So whatever character qualities it is that we are displaying, our children are learning from that. We, as moms, all "homeschool" in some way or another.
As I have been going through this study, I have been convicted in my spirit that I do not regularly show a meek and quiet spirit to my daughters or my husband, for that matter. When I say meek and quiet, what I mean is having the self discipline (which comes from the Holy Spirit) to choose to not display my anger when I am angry. I think meek and quiet many times is actually the opposite of what most people think it is. It's not allowing others to run over us like we're doormats. Instead, it's allowing the Holy Spirit to give us the strength to show others love when we don't really feel like showing love in the flesh. It's responding to others in kindness, not with an ill temper. Now, is there any way you could imagine that I would respond to my precious children in such a negative manner??? I know - it's hard to believe I would do such a thing.
Since I started going through this book, I have been much more conscious, almost constantly, of my response to my daughters and my husband. I believe that's conviction and I'm so glad. I have realized that many times I treat mere strangers better than I treat my own family whom I love dearly. Why is that? How can I treat someone I barely know better than I treat my own family members? We take them for granted and we're teaching them, when we treat them badly, that it's okay to do that. Well, it's not okay. God tells us that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20). If we truly love the Lord, we will show it in our actions. It's not enough to just say we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we must live out in our daily lives what we say we believe. Otherwise, we're "deceiving ourselves" (I John 1:8) into believing the lie that we can say one thing and live another. It's just not so. I feel so blessed that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to this Biblical truth!
While it may seem that I was asked to do a review on this book, that is not the case. I just felt the tug of the Holy Spirit on my heart to share the insights I've gained from this book with others. I would encourage anyone who's interested in living out their Christian walk daily to pick up a copy and see what God might show you through Teri Maxwell. You can find the book at this link, http://www.titus2.com/.
Thank you Lord for loving me enough to change me from the inside out. Ah...another little kiss from God!
Grace to you!
Sounds like a good book. I agree- sometimes I catch myself treating strangers better than my family. Definitely something to pray about.
ReplyDeleteYes definitely! Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine raved about this book several years ago and I never got around to reading it. From your review, I'm guessing my kids would wish that I had, if they knew how it could affect my attitude! ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting thought that exhibiting meekness and quietness actually requires strength and self-control.
Hi Suzanne. I have read this book too and love it. I can relate to what you said about having a meek and quiet spirit. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAnn, thanks for stopping by. I completely agree with you yet most have never thought of it that way. Displaying a meek and quiet spirit does require much strength and control that, for me, could only come from the Holy Spirit working in my life. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteTheresa, I've enjoyed it so far. I can't wait to see what else the Lord is going to share with me.
ReplyDeleteI read this book after attending a conference with them. Although all of their parenting/learning/home ideas would not work with our family - this book was a great fit. Seriously - how can we complain about our children or husband or other moms if we ourselves are not living for the Lord - or have a proud spirit? I can't remember my favorite quotes from the book - but I do remember my favorite Teri Maxwell quote from the conference. I say it several times a day.
ReplyDelete"Do the next thing". Thats all I have to plan for, its all I need to think about. The Next Thing. Takes alot of stress out of the day. :)
Reminding ourselves to "do the next thing" sounds like a good way to keep from getting overwhelmed. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing how the Lord is working in you, Suzanne. It brightens my heart to hear/read of His work in the lives of those around me. :) Love to you, friend! Meredith
ReplyDeleteMeredith, thanks for your sweet words of encouragement. As you know, I can't take credit for any changes in my life - it's completely a work of the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord!
ReplyDeleteI just love that photo!!!! :)
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