(Preface: Teri has no idea about the Corner below. She thought Sarah was going to write a guest Corner this month. She’ll be surprised!)
I want to introduce someone to you. To you all, she is Teri Maxwell, to me, she is “Sweetheart.”
To homeschooling moms, she is seen as the mom who made scheduling practical and achievable with the resulting benefit of an organized and peaceful home. She has helped tens of thousands of moms see that it is actually possible to get it all done AND be both sane and happy (I know, many settle for one or the other). Years ago she was in trouble, with too much to do, and not enough time to do it. On top of that Teri was battling depression.
Together we worked to simplify her life so that it was manageable. We found by simply “automating” many of her daily decisions, we got the big, ugly, evil green gorilla off her back. She was relieved of the weight and was able to not just cope, but be the efficient homeschooling mom she wanted to be. To me, she is a fantastic manager of our home, where it is peaceful and orderly place I’m happy to come home to and proud to welcome guests in.
To those struggling with depression, Teri is a beacon of hope pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ and a myriad of practical choices that gain freedom from the “evil gorilla.” Because Teri has been crushed by depression, ruled by anger, and hounded by the guilt of what she wasn’t accomplishing, nor the mom she wanted to be, weary, heavy-laden, moms know Teri understands them. To me, she is a trophy of how God, in His mercy, can exchange beauty for ashes in all of our lives.
To those who are not bubbly, gushy, Type A personalities, and have occasional down days, she is solid, steadfast, and stable encouragement. To me, she is a dependable team member, working alongside as we lead this family together.
To our ten children, she is “Mom.” Eight children who are seeking to follow their Lord Jesus Christ on this earth and two more who are with the Lord Jesus waiting for her in Heaven. Yes, she also knows the pain of losing children through miscarriage; therefore others who have lost children know she can relate to them. To me, her walk is one of daily, obediently, trusting in her Lord, that all things work together for good. She is the love of my life.
To her daughters-in-law she is one who will like clockwork, spend time lovingly playing with and reading to the grandchildren and will invest in their homes when she senses she can be an encouragement. To me, she is an example of investing energy into the lives of those you love.
Your story will be not like Teri’s. Yours could involve much more or less heartache. If your story involves difficulties and suffering–may I encourage you? Heartache and suffering can be fertile ground for great growth in Christ. It isn’t what difficulties come your way in life; it is how you respond to them. Pursue the Lord Jesus with all your heart, soul, and mind. Whatever ash you have found in life (or it has found you), our prayer is that you will let the Lord Jesus exchange it for beauty. Let the God of all comfort, comfort you, so you can comfort others.
To all you who have chosen the most worthwhile profession, our love, encouragement, and prayers are for you to be filled with His Spirit and walk in it. And yes, Happy Mother’s Day.
“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
In Christ Jesus,
Steve Maxwell