Because I am Loved

I felt led to share this amazing word by Lysa TerKeurst from Proverbs 31 Ministries. Throughout the trials, struggles, triumphs, and extreme joy of directing a Homeschool co-op for six years and now embarking on an incredible journey that will not only benefit our homeschool programs by offering more opportunities like International Fair, Science Fairs, Night of the Arts, etc., but also enhance the educational experience of those families and students that need or desire another choice to public or homeschool education through the Academy, we must remember He is there. We have had plenty of anxiety and worry along the way, but Lysa so lovingly calls us to remember to "cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

Our prayer for each and every homeschool family we've ever served, each and every parent, student, child, and infant that has been in our program, for every person we've talked to at a meet and greet or festival, for each new student and their families enrolled in the academy, is that you remember you are loved, not only by us, but by Him. Cast your everyday worries on Him and remember He cares for you and is mighty indeed!


Because I am Loved
Lysa TerKeurst

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5: 6-7 (NIV)

My friend, Kathrine Lee, once challenged me with this question: Are you doing this because you are loved or so that you’ll be loved?

Her question is a great one.

Doing something “so that we’ll be loved” is a trap many of us can get caught in. When I do something because I’m trying to get someone else to notice me, appreciate me, say something to build me up, or respect me more, my motives get skewed.

I become very “me” focused. I put unrealistic expectations on myself and the other person. And I can get stinkin’ angry when I don’t feel more noticed, appreciated, or respected.

I can get all twisted up and take my frustration out on myself and that person in an unfair way. I typically sabotage my own efforts and bend to discouragement and defeat.

But, doing something because I am loved is incredibly freeing.

I don’t view the relationship from the vantage point of what I stand to gain. Instead, I look at what I have the opportunity to give. I am “God focused” and love directed. I keep my expectations in check. And I am able to lavish the grace I know I so desperately need. I live free from regret with clarity of heart, mind, and soul.

So, how do I know if I’m doing things because I’m loved or so that I will be loved? See how easy or hard it is to apply this Scripture:
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” (1 Peter 5: 6-10 NIV)

Because I am loved, I can humble myself.
When I’m trying to be loved, I must build myself up to look better.
Because I am loved, I can cast all my anxiety on Him.
When I’m trying to be loved, I cast all my anxiety on my performance.
Because I am loved, I can resist Satan and stand firm in my faith.
When I’m trying to be loved, I listen to Satan and stand uncertain trying to rely on my feelings.
Because I am loved, I know God will use this to make me stronger – and I want that.
When I’m trying to be loved, I don’t want to be made stronger – I want life to be easier.
Indeed, I want to pursue life, relationships, and the goals I set from a healthy and free vantage point — because I am loved.

Dear Lord, I don’t want my motives to get skewed today. Help me to not be so ‘me’ focused. I want to live each day knowing that I am loved. Living because I am loved is freeing. I long to stop trying so hard. I know You love me, Lord and that You are making me stronger. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Our First Purchase

God has been amazing.

We are three ordinary women. Prayerful. With a mission and vision from God. One thing we don't have (and that's fine because He is providing it all) is an affiliate backing us. We are not backed by a church or christian organization like many private Christian schools. We don't have a lot of savings between us. We come to Christ and His vision just as He called us. We are faithful and He has been good and plentiful and marvelous.

I must digress. The day we needed $400 to file the Special Use Permit, we had the project completed. It was beautiful. Seven copies in amazing white folders with the LifeSpring logo. Yet, we didn't have the money to turn it in. We didn't have a "start-up" fund. We prayed. God delivered. That same day, we had two unexpected donations from people who did not have an idea the money was needed that day. Can I tell you that they were both $400 donations. God is amazing.

Months later. We now have some fabulously talented and intelligent students enrolled in our K-12 program and we are on the hunt for reasonable curriculum purchases in order to be good stewards of what God has so graciously provided. We found lockers. (for the curriculum we are now purchasing! lol)

Now, they are ugly ducklings. But we will turn them into swans for our LifeSpring students! Many thanks to my amazing husband, nephew and brother-in-law who went to procure these lockers for us! We found dirty clothes (probably from the 80's), a lot of spider webs, possibly a decaying fossil (giggle), and a couple of black widows just for fun!

We are not deterred. They will be fabulous! We will keep you posted. Until next time.

The journey continues. His way.

The birth of a dream: a vision from God!

It's hard to believe that it was only six short months ago that we were strolling along, perfectly content in our lives, without any thoughts of our private school opening in 8 short months! That's how God does things. He can give you, or your good friend in this case, Dawn Parker, a vision three years ago, and have nothing spring forth until it's so sudden that you just know it was Him! That's how LifeSpring started. A vision from God. Three years go by. A whisper from God. The vision was a private school with a homeschool feel. When Dawn shared her vision with me, I just couldn't get past the idea of a traditional private school and how that could have a homeschool feel. Then one day, God whispered His ideas. They, of course, were amazing and exactly what we needed to move forward. We now had another member of our team sent from Him with a vision she had eight years ago! Now Bobbi Roe, Dawn Parker and myself were moving forward. We thought things would go like they always had with our homeschool co-op. Pretty seamless. We would find a building--because we, unfortunately, couldn't continue with our current Homeschool co-op building-- we would rent it and voila: a private school with a homeschool feel with an active and strong homeschool co-op would result.

Little did we know. We found the building and felt for certain that God had led us to this congregation who has such a love for children and education! What we didn't expect to encounter was the planning board for the Town of Clayton and the requirement for a Special Use Permit for the school. Giggle. Nervous giggle. We, as innocent as we were then, assumed we would file a sheet of paper and it would be done! Similar to how God created our amazing world. And it was so. (not)

What we disovered along the way was an amazing, heartfelt journey that taught us more about who we were and who LifeSpring Academy is. We can now navigate town meetings, draw, create and alter plans ;) Xerox and photocpy until our hearts want to weep. Laugh because of funny trees and silly student drop-off driveways. Our friendship deepened. The unexpected also happened. We were able to get to know the lovely, amazing people in the town of Clayton, the Review Committee, the town planning department, the Town Council. Everyone was so helpful and really worked hard to bring us to life. We thank you. A special thanks to James L. from HomeTowne Realty. We couldn't have done it without your hours of guidance, meetings, texts, and assurance. The truth of the matter is God had it all planned and put everyone in place that needed to be in place for LifeSpring to come forth!

We can now breathe a little easier. The Special Use Permit was graciously granted by the Town of Clayton on June 6th! Now we are busy thinking of classrooms, books, computers, and fun stuff! Check us out at http://www.lifespringacademy.com/ Until next time.

The journey continues. His way.