Two years of TOS for only $39, 19 FREE GIFTS and Teacher's Toolbox?!?

 Don't let this deal slip away.

 __________________________________________

Hey everyone, I think that this particular topic resonates with many (or even most) of you right now. I know it does with us, too. The economy has really taken its toll on people. Families have been displaced. Men have lost work. Homes have been given back to the bank. Still, I can't help but point my eyes back to Christ, the Lover of our souls and our Sustainer. He promised never to leave us or forsake us, and He tells us in His Word that He WILL provide for us. The birds and the flowers . . . remember those passages? How much more does He care for us, His children. Sometimes it feels like hell on earth. The trials can loom large. But eternity is coming, and the things we are going through here on this earth are about as "hellish" as things will ever be for us, the believers. In our real life, the one to come, there will be no tears, no more pain, worry, suffering. Still, you say, "But how does this help me NOW? I am losing my home or my (you fill in the blank) NOW." Well, I can tell you that Paul and I can relate. TOS Magazine, for instance, was easier to run a couple of years ago before the economy reared its ugly head. We work twice as hard now for the money, and the stresses are large. We at times become anxious and have to go to His Word to read His commands about being anxious for NOTHING. He has it in His hands, He is on the throne (even if we are frantically looking to see Him but can't seem to).  

Paul said something to me this morning (as I was lamenting about our own trials). I was basically saying in a moment of frustration that I didn't "see" God. He very seriously looked at me and said, "Well, are you reading His Word? You won't find Him by looking around. You won't see Him talking audibly to you. He speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. LOOK for Him there." Christ said that the man who reads His Word and does it will stand. That is what we need to do. So, I'm in here writing this little column, but Paul said to come out to the living room because we're going to continue our study in Luke with Julia (14). We're going to shut up the computers and look for Him. We try to have Bible studies daily, but you know what? Sometimes we need more than what we think we do. If we can't find Him, we better run TO Him, and we can do that by reading His very words to us. What comfort there is there.  

So I'll leave you with that. I'm off to go find my Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Provider. He will hold us in His hands. Fear not, friends. He has you in His palm, too, right where you belong. Now-go get into His Word and find YOUR comfort today.

Love,
~gena
gena@tosmag.com

Explore ancient Egypt through the award-winning homeschool curriculum Tapestry of Grace™ ...and vice versa!

Dive into the history of ancient Egypt with a mini-unit for kids of all ages! Included are assignments, discussion outlines, and materials for studying history, geography, literature, writing, philosophy, hands-on and more!

Start exploring now! 

Ruth Beechick, Curriculum Specialist 

and

Debbie Strayer, Homeschool Consultant 

Over our time as homeschoolers, I was sure of two things. First, that we were called to homeschool. It was not my idea, it was God's idea. My husband and I agreed it was His plan for us, and so we began. Though we were teachers, it didn't take long to realize that homeschooling would not be about our knowledge but about His grace.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

                                      Romans 8:28 NIV

The second thing I knew was that God was for us. He was not interested in my perfection as a homeschooler, but He was very interested in my choice to trust Him.

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

                                      Romans 8:31, 32 NIV

How does this relate to finances? There was one particularly difficult season in our lives when I needed to work outside the home. I had begun homeschooling and loved it, so we continued to homeschool at night. God provided for my sweet children during the day, but my heart's desire was to be home with them. Again, I had to trust His calling and favor.

Through that brief season, which seemed like an eternity at the time, God did indeed release me from that outside job. I returned to my life as a stay-at-home mom with a depth of gratefulness for everyday things that I had not known before. I couldn't thank my husband enough for the precious gift of homeschooling he gave the children and me. Though there were other times of financial challenge, that early season taught me much. We united as a family in gratitude and approached future challenges together in prayer, support, and shared sacrifice. We knew there may be a cost for following God's leading, but we also knew we would pay it together.

Trust Him to use all things for your good. Trust Him for His unfailing favor and grace. Trust Him to help you respond to each situation with grateful hearts. Then you can trust Him to use you and your children to be just what He has called us to be: a ray of hope to a lost and lonely world. 

~ Debbie

Read more from Debbie at www.debbiestrayer.com.