Meet Tricia Smith

From my Journal entry, dated, April 5, 2013:

“This is one of those times when I awake hungry for God, yearning for Him, longing for deep things, to be filled to the depths of my being with Him – with His Word, His Truth, His Presence – HIM . . . and nothing else will satisfy.”

Many dear friends and relatives have urged me through the years to start a blog and I have resisted because of my natural reserve and respect for privacy – and, yes, because of fears; hence my prayer of commitment to God to begin a blog.

This I know:  God has called me to this work.  I am equipped and commissioned by Him and my husband to do this.  For such a time as this I have been raised up and therefore, must answer the call. We are living in perilous times in America and our children must be prepared mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally and socially to face the challenges they will have to face. That is the responsibility of parents, for which they will have to give account to God.

That being said let me introduce myself:  I am first and foremost a child of God, a wife and a mother of seven adult children, 4 daughters, 3 sons, and 2 step-daughters – so greatly blessed!    Together my husband, Larry, and I have 9 children, 14 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

I have a deep and abiding love for America because of my deep and abiding love for God and what He’s done in this nation.  I was born and raised in Tennessee where the roots of faith, family, and patriotism go down deep.  Along the way I’ve earned two Bachelor’s degrees, one in Christian Education, one in Biblical Studies, and a Master’s degree in Christian Counseling.  I’ve taught pre-school through high school in private Christian schools, taught at home, worked as a Behavioral Specialist, and a Child Custody Evaluator.  I’ve studied with the Pilgrim Institute, becoming a Master Teacher of America’s Christian History and Government, and also graduated from the Institute for Life Coaching.  I’ve seen and experienced the devastating effects of generational dysfunction and I’ve spent years learning how to overcome it, and teaching others to do the same.

There are so many things I wish I had known as a young parent.  So many things my children and their friends who are parenting for the first time are asking me now.  It’s those things I want to pass along to you in this blog.  There’s uniqueness in being an American Christian Parent because of the call of God on America and the rich treasure He’s given us in this nation – not just of natural resources, but the national treasure of Christian Character, Self-Government, and our American Christian form of government – a Constitutional Republic.  We have a legacy of Freedom to steward and leave to our children and grandchildren. My heart’s desire is that we be found faithful.

This is a challenging time in America in which to raise our children – much more difficult than in generations past because the issues seem to be blurred for so many parents and educators.  But God has entrusted His Heritage to us and will walk with us as we partner with Him in raising His children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

That being said, I’ve decided to share with you my prayer of commitment, recorded in my journal, in starting this blog.  May it encourage you to face your fears in whatever form they take and commit yourself to trust God in the awesome duty and privilege of parenting His heritage.

“Father, I commit myself to trust Your Spirit within my heart leading me as I embark on this journey of writing – expressing and exposing myself before others.  That’s the awesome truth – that as I publish blogs and tweets and articles and “status” on social media – I am actually exposing myself: the deepest part of me, to the thoughts, criticisms, judgments, possible ridicule of others.  I therefore consciously choose to love not my soul life to the death.  I release my self-protection, my self-preservation and all self-defense.  I declare my complete trust in You, my Father God, to protect me – my heart – to speak Your thoughts and Words through me, to direct my thinking and choice of topics according to Your Will.  I desire that what I write be transformative, thought-provoking, and life-changing.  Father, keep me from the fear of man – fear of their words, their criticisms, their ridicule.  Keep me from comparing myself to others.  Give me grace, courage, wisdom and understanding, clear discernment to follow Your leading in what I write and speak.  And may Your words through me accomplish all the good will of your heart.  In Jesus’ name, I pray and give you thanks.  Amen.”

I’m looking forward to getting to know you as we walk this road of American Christian Parenting together, and I welcome your questions, comments, victories and challenges!

Blessings to you,

Trish