But His. And how thankful I am!
Heart of the Matter is so awesome. Yes, I know, I’m blushing over them again. Please don’t leave, if you normally get fuzzy-eyed when I start talking about them. This is a different, non-look-at-what-I wrote kinda post.
They are so polished and on top of things. But it’s not like a corporation that is distant and business-minded. We are a group of women (and one man now!) that are real people. Just like you. Who love our kids and are doing the best we can. Even when our best is more than a little lacking. We’re sharing what we’ve already learned, are learning along the way, a bunch of printables, ideas, and so much encouragement on those days that you’re thinking, “What am I doing?”
It’s been an honor to write for them. Wow. A year ago, they were a little site with a readership of, like, oh, 5, or something. ;) And then they had a post that asked if anyone wanted to contribute to this great idea of a site that they had been praying over. I jumped up and down and begged them. Really. And they said sure. They started recruiting writers and redesigning and it blew up! I loved everything about them. The Amies, all the sweet ladies that I get to write with, how everything was free and readily available for those who wanted it.
Then they decided to go to print and keep the blog going. Wow. Again. And I was so excited. Several of you have asked me how I got involved. I begged, they let me. That’s it. I write for free. I don’t get paid. When I link to them or link to an article and beg you to go read – there’s really nothing in it for me – except your sweet words of affirmation. Several of you more go-get-’em minded folks are gettin’ your hackles all raised. Sure I would like to make money, but I believe in these people and their hearts. I’m honored to be a part of them. I want as many people as I can to know that if you are contemplating homeschooling – that you can do it! There is no one less together or incapable of doing this than me, and yet I’m doing it. So when HOTM (Heart of the Matter) was planning to take their free digital magazine to print and the possibility of getting reimbursed for my random goofy dribblings, well, I was giddy.
The thought, ever-so-briefly, crossed my mind that it was kinda sad that such an amazing and free resource would be made private, unavailable to people who don’t have the money to order such a frivolty as a magazine, but my excitement bubbled up again and I pushed the thought away and didn’t mention it to the Amies.
And then I got an email one night. Saying almost verbatim: this. (Go ahead, go read it, I’ll be right here waiting on you.)
And I cried.
With absolute joy and pride in these people and their hearts. My heart was broken for them. I knew they wanted to see this happen. I knew it must be incredibly hard to write such a letter to all of their writers who were so excited to go to print. And we all know what happens when a dream is deferred.
But instead of focusing on that sagging dream, they chose to listen to His voice that was calling them away from this. And they felt freedom. Even in the face of sadness. How can you not rejoice with hearts so full of gladness?!
And as I sat in front of my computer screen reading these words, my apprehensions of those left out by the price tag came back to me and His whispering settled and stirred me at the same time. I love knowing I’m in His will (and let’s face it, folks, alot of times, that’s just not as easy as it sounds). And their support for our perceived competition? Unreal. People, these girls have hearts of gold and are listening to the call of The Spirit on their lives. They make me all the more proud to be part of such an amazing team.
Come over and love them with me. Go over to The Old Schoolhouse and take part in their “Black Friday” sales. I, who don’t have much to blow on “unneeded” items have subscribed to this magazine – and I don’t get any cool deals on it, like I do at HOTM ;). If you want to submit articles, pictures, ideas, tutorials, printables, or just plain encouragement to Heart of the Matter, go here. They’d love to hear from you.
And my dreams? Undeferred, people. I don’t feel shriveled. I feel so full of pride for these girls, that I’m as full as a tick!
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