Obedience Equals Blessings

There has been a constant mantra in my life since I surrendered my life to God. That mantra is, “Obedience equals Blessings.”

God whispered that to me very early on in my walk with Him. At the time, I was struggling with the fact that He was asking me to bring my children home to homeschool. Yall, I struggled. I struggled with feeling inadequate. I struggled with the feeling of selfishness. I did not want to give my quiet days at home up for my children’s education. I struggled with the fact that I do not view schooling as important as some. I struggled. Period.

In the summer months between Grace’s 8^th and 9^th grade year, and Emma’s 5^th and 6^th grade year, I fought hard to find any and all reasons not to homeschool them. Any and all reasons. I left no stone unturned.

I argued and prayed. “Oh Lord, not that. Please. I am a horrible mother and I would make an even worse teacher. Please, Lord, I will ruin my children.” I look back at this now, and I find humor in it. God certainly knows how to turn your life upside down and totally bless you in doing so.

In the middle of my arguing, God whispered to me, “Celeste, obedience equals blessings.” I thought it was strange, because I am not one to be obedient. I have never been one to just obey. I have always questioned. I am naturally a rebel. I have a rebellious spirit. But in my new Christian walk, God was asking me to be something and someone that I am not. He was telling me to trust Him.

In Psalms 32:8-9 (The Passion Translation), God says, “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway of your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before. Don’t make me tug you and pull you along. Just come with me!”

So, as many of you know, I listened, and we started junior high and high school at home in August of 2018. I trusted Him and I brought the girls home for school. That first year was hard. I am not going to lie and say that it wasn’t. It is still hard, at times. I also want to point out that the blessings far outweigh the sacrifices.

In homeschooling, our family found healing and peace.We found the rest that Jesus speaks about in Matthew 11:28-30 (TPT),

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.”

I learned about obedience by taking a huge step, but God doesn’t always ask HUGE things of me in my walk.

When I feel that tug in spirit to go and pray for someone, I have learned to obey. When I hear His Words while someone is talking about their struggles, I relay the message. When I feel the tug to bring a stranger or homeless person something to eat or a little cash, I obey.

By obeying in the big things, I have learned to discern His voice and obey.

I can’t promise that I always listen, but I try to. And when I don’t, I ask for forgiveness.

Has God been whispering to you about something in your life? From my personal experience, I urge you to obey. He certainly has a way of blessing us when we are obedient.

OBEDIENCE = BLESSINGS