Dad’s Den: HOPE, JOY, and PEACE…

I know you’re tired, busy, and maybe just paid off that December credit card balance. Don’t worry. It is March, not early December. So why talk about Christmas? Let me explain.

Our family loves Christmas! It is a season of anticipation and joy for us. It’s a time we can slow down after a busy year. The cords of firewood are all split and lay piled in a large, dry storage area in our basement ready to heat our home all winter long. Work slows down at my job. School takes a much-needed break or at least some special activities to go along with the Christmas season.

Growing up, my parents made Christmas very special. We didn’t have a lot of money, but they always sacrificed and gave us special gifts. When my wife and I started having kids, we also experienced why it is “more blessed to give than to receive”. We had many fun traditions that we did as kids that we continued with our own new family. One of my favorites is putting up a REAL tree. The smell of pine, the bright, colorful lights shining on a cold, dark morning as I drink a cup of hot coffee. It is one of those things that I really enjoy for as long as we are able to keep the tree from losing too many needles.

On our tree is another family tradition that has carried over. Each year, my parents would try to give each kid an ornament that would remind us of something special from that year – my first Christmas, the first year I got to go deer hunting with my dad, or a special vacation we took. Now, our kids enjoy hanging up their own special ornaments. We do this together while listening to some of our favorite Christmas music and drinking egg nogg. It’s fun to listen to them, even as teens, as they pick out certain ornaments. “Oh, I loved that trip!”  or “This is when I started playing guitar!” or “This one is my favorite because…”It’s these little things that make our Christmas special and provide fun memories for decades!

But Christmas doesn’t last forever, and it can’t. Wrapping paper has to be cleaned up and brought down to the wood stove for fire starter, the tree must be taken down, ornaments brought up to the attic, and Christmas music put away. All of these are reminders that this most wonderful time of the year is coming to an end. But my final reminder that Christmas is over is tossing that last piece of wrapping paper into our wood stove and watching as it bursts into flame. That day was in mid-February for us. We know life can’t be Christmas all the time. Homeschool must resume, work deadlines pile up, and winter illnesses steal your energy. Life is hard. Homeschooling is hard. Being a Christian dad and husband is HARD. That is why I think Christmas is so special to many people. It reminds us that in our darkest season there is still Love, Joy, Hope, and Peace, because of God’s greatest gift, Jesus Christ.

I’m a homeschool dad of six kids. My wife does the majority of the schooling. The day-in and day-out struggles of math problems, writing assignments, unfinished reading, and teaching multiple ages with different learning styles can be really exhausting. And that’s just homeschooling…not to mention our jobs, our church responsibilities, and daily housework. Life can feel a lot like this winter. Cold, dark, and depressing…“always winter and never Christmas”.  Your job, dad, as leader of your home, is crucial to keep your family on mission and growing to become more like Christ.

Last year’s CHAP Convention theme was “Choose today whom you will serve,” taken from Joshua 24. Joshua was one of the greatest leaders in Israel’s history! He was a man’s man, full of courage, determination, and grit. He was a soldier, a spy, and a man who followed God and faithfully led others to do the same – even through many difficulties. There are many examples of great men in the Bible. Not perfect men, but men who determined to obey God. Joshua didn’t just wake up one day instantly as Israel’s hero. It was a constant journey of taking the next step of obedience in following God.

In Joshua chapter 1, we read about the death of Moses. We are told that Moses was the greatest prophet in all of Israel, one who knew God intimately (Deut. 34). The Israelites had just come through a very long season of wandering in the wilderness, and now they lost this great leader who did many signs and wonders before them. Moses, whom God had used to deliver them from the most powerful nation in the world – with a staff! But during difficulty and the prospect of adversity and uncertainty ahead, it is easy to forget God and his power. That is why another godly leader was needed, one who could lead with courage.

Joshua had the blessing of a Godly mentor in Moses, his father of faith. Joshua’s task was to carry on the mission given by God to the previous generation. In the first chapter of Joshua, we see the Commanding Officer’s orders, a call for courage, and promise of victory if he obeyed the orders.

In Joshua 2, we see the mission starting to be implemented through a recon assignment into enemy territory. Then the mustering of troops and further instructions come in the following chapter. The Israelite army starts to advance. It’s GO time! God again shows His power through the parting of the Jordan river as the Israelite army crosses with sword in hand, ready for battle. This is like the greatest “pre-game speech and breakaway banner” moment of all time! You would think the army would charge forward ready to defeat any foe that lay before them. But no…God tells them to stop and camp. Why? I’m sure many of them thought, “the battle is ahead and there is so much work that needs to be done. Why would we waste time, energy, and the resources?” But God had an important task. They were to set up a memorial to remind them of His power and faithfulness to future generations.

Dad, you also need God’s wisdom in knowing when to use the staff to guide and direct, the sword to protect and fight for what is right, or a stone to remind your family of God’s goodness and faithfulness. The annual CHAP Convention has been like laying that stone for our family. Each year after a hard homeschool journey we can celebrate God’s faithfulness in our past and have hope for the future no matter what trials may come. It may appear on the outside like a waste of time, energy, and money to attend the convention every year, but we determined this would be our time to take a break, reflect, learn, and be encouraged for the next year. My wife and I just graduated our first child! Our success is due in no small part to a wonderful group of leaders who determined 40 years ago to start CHAP and then hold an annual Convention. Standing on their shoulders, my family was able to put up our own “12-stone homeschool memorial.” Generation after generation, God has raised up people to carry on the mission at CHAP. I am grateful for those who sacrificed their time, energy, and money to press on in serving Pennsylvania homeschoolers.

Your assignment of being a Godly man, husband, and homeschool dad can be done. God can use anyone willing to obey His commands. This year, make it a point to stop and reflect on God’s faithfulness to your family. Take some time to set up those memorial stones before pressing on in the battle. It will give your family memories that you can look back on just like ornaments on a Christmas tree – reminding you of God’s goodness and faithfulness. As dads, you can lead your family in Joy and Hope because you have seen His great faithfulness. You can have peace and patience through the trials ahead by checking in daily with your Commanding Officer. Remind your wife and kids that He has been faithful then and He will be faithful still.

Rejoice in Hope, Be Patient in Tribulation, Be Constant in Prayer. Romans 12:12

We would love to see you in June at the 38^th annual CHAP Convention as we Rejoice in Hope! Whether it is your 1st stone, your 12^th stone, CHAP’s 40th stone, or this great nation’s 250^th stone come join us as we celebrate together God’s faithfulness in the past and have hope for an even brighter future!