How am I going to handle change? Where will I find the strength to cope with trials, the patience to discipline lovingly, the perseverance to train my children in the way they should go? How do I balance teaching my children, cleaning my house, serving the Lord in the church, supporting my husband, and fellowshipping with the saints? I barely passed my "Juggling" course in college. When I ask the question, "Help! What do I do now?" who can give me a reliable, dependable answer tailored for my situation and needs? Only the God who made me and gave me my family. Don't try to run your home without Him!

I may not have a bottomless checking account (unless that means there's a hole in the bottom where all the money is leaking out, in which case I qualify), but I know who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and I know He'll care for me. There may be days when all I need is faith the size of a mustard seed, but that's more faith than I feel I have. I can build my house on the rock and be certain it will stand once the storm has passed, but in the midst of the storm I still feel like I'm in over my head. However, the Lord is faithful (1 Jn 1:9). The Lord guides (Ps. 23). The Lord strengthens (Ps 27:1). There never was a time when the Lord was not. He has been since before the beginning (Gen. 1:1). He does not leave me without hope or help. Jesus will come again (Rev. 22:20a). Until then, I have the Holy Spirit as Helper and Counselor and I can cry to Him as did the apostle John, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Jn. 14:16,17,26; Rev. 22:20b).

Do I have the definitive answer on what each mother should do in every situation, without fail, amen and so be it? No. But I do have peace. If you know Jesus, you do, too. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (Jn 14:27). There is a lot going on in my life. There is probably a lot going on in your life, as well. But we have access to the Best Helper at all times. All the hard stuff in our lives? He has conquered it. It may not feel like that yet. It may feel to us more like we are still battling it, with odds 1,000,000 to 1, but Jesus promises differently. "These things I have spoken unto you," He says to us, "that in me ye might have peace. In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (Jn. 16:33).

God has blessed me with children, and He can help this less than perfect mother raise beautiful children, made complete in Him, for His glory. That is something I can rely on. That will never change. Amen, and so be it.

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Gretel Deem enjoys writing, reading, studying the Bible, swim teaching, public speaking, homeschooling, and spending time with her husband and 3 children (8 years, 7 years, and 18 months) in the great outdoors of northern Michigan.

This article was originally published in the Nov/Dec '07 issue of Home School Enrichment Magazine. For more information, visit http://HomeSchoolEnrichment.com