Sometimes life seems filled with competing demands, as we try to juggle service to our families with serving those outside our homes. But is it possible to find balance? Stay tuned to today’s Home School Heartbeat, as host Mike Farris and author Ann Voskamp discuss that question.
Mike Farris:
Ann, in addition to blogging and writing books, you’re also a full-time homeschooling mother. How do you find a balance between your service to your family and your service to others? And I’m going to ask you the question, but I know the answer anyway: do they ever collide?
Ann Voskamp:
I think there’s really three things about that balance, Mike. Number one: simplicity is never a matter of circumstances; simplicity is a matter of focus. So, in the midst of educating and parenting our children, we can’t necessarily go ahead and make everything fit into neat, controllable, simple schedules. But the point is, simplicity is: how do we keep our eyes fixed and focused on Christ no matter where we are? Number two, life isn’t an emergency. Christ is in charge of every moment of the day; nothing catches Him off-guard. And number three, grace is the most amazing of all, because, yes, Mike, parts of our lives do collide. We live in a broken world, and for the life of me I can’t get it all right. But we serve our family and these amazing children—this is our gift back to Christ. And, then with this family, we go out and serve the world together—us all reaching out. And then we take our service, our very best offering of obedience, to our Savior, and we offer it up to Him and Jesus takes all our broken messes and He makes them, by His grace, into a mosaic of grace.
Mike:
Ann, you’re one of those really profound people that can influence anybody who listens to you. Thank you for joining us. I’m Mike Farris.
