Activism and my Current Calling

I did a lot of activism and volunteer work before children. In college I volunteered as a counselor at a Crisis Pregnancy Center. I then became a "sidewalk counselor" in front of Planned Parenthood. We were pretty organized and each took one day to stand and pray and be available. I saved money and took summer school classes and was there 5 days a week. (I think many people thought I was their assigned person that day..I never thoguth much of it. I didn't need the recognition. I was doing what I was supposed to) I then became the Director of the Crisis Pregnancy Center. I also did some small stuff with Operation Rescue. I later brought the ACLJ to Santa Barbara to fight an un-constitutional city ordinance. We did win.

Why did I just tell you all that? Do I think I'm cool because of it? NO. I AM feeling pretty "uncool" now. My heart is still there, praying, helping reaching out. But most days I am: home, in my pajamas, teaching children to read, discussing theology, doing dishes, laundry, changing diapers....I no longer reach out of my four walls.

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(don't think that is really me? maybe not..but mess up the hair, add pajama pants, tone down the dinner a bit, its getting closer:)
I have done some work with the Crisis Pregnancy Center here but not as Id like to. My children have raised money and walked in the yearly Walk For Life. I helped with a parenting class. We aren't really involved. There is no time in this season and I'm feeling shallow and silly for it. I didn't look for recognition a few years ago. Why all of a sudden? I guess we were promised that our children would "rise" and call us blessed not that we'd look "cool" in the formative years :)I'm not very outwardly motivated. I just want ME to know that I am doing what I should be.

One of my favorite blogs is Resolved 2 Worship


Alyssa is an amazing Christian, wife, and mom--I am so inspired by her days. She pours all she is into raising and training her children and is such an inspiration to me.

She has been getting flack for not being more politically involved and not doing "more" ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I think by raising these boys:

In the fear and admonition of the Lord, teaching then right from wrong, teaching them of a mothers love and respect for those smaller and weaker that she is doing far more for our country and its future than anything I could come up with.

She has been entrusted with the care, training and discipleship of four boys and three girls. Wow huh? Most recently their beautiful family was blessed with this newcomer:




Alyssa's calling seems so clear to me...SOOO..does that mean that I too should focus on my current calling and not beat myself up over all that I am "not" doing? Hmm.. I am so not cool like she is, I don't do half of what she does...then again maybe I do. That isn't really the point is it?

Sooo...Im pondering this and realize that we need to pick up my sons' eyeglasses a half hour away and that we need gas. We race out the door and to the gas station. Im balancing our checkbook in my head and figuring out how much gas I need and can get. I apologize to the older gentleman in line behind us because I am taking far too long. He steps out of the vehicle and comes up to me. He reads the bumper stickers "It is a poverty to decide that someone should die so that you can live as you wish-Mother and "Some Choices Are Wrong" on our 10 year old mini-van.

He asks, "are you pro-life?" We talked for awhile. He raised 4 sons and now has many many grandchildren. We talked about how blessed he is. He is Catholic. I am a reformed Presbyterian. We found common ground and were a blessing to each other. I realized in talking to him that this is where my "activism" and convictions match up with my walk. Where the rubber meets the road so to speak. I am not going beyond my four walls. But what I am doing in those four walls will impact the world. I am raising 5 children to know Christ. We are feeding, clothing and sheltering them on less that $1,800 a month (and much much Godly generosity and Grace) that isn't convenient or selling out. That is the Current Calling of my heart and life. Glamorous or not:)