For the first few years of our homeschool journey, I desired to have a name for our school.  I had heard of other homeschoolers who had done this; however, I am just not the kind of person who can easily think up creative things.  So, I waited on the Lord.

One day, I was praying over our homeschool and crying out to the Lord about certain frustrations.  He directed me to Proverbs 4:23 which says, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."  And suddenly, the words "Heartfelt Homeschool" popped into my mind.  I just knew it was from the Lord!  I was so excited to finally have a "name" for what we were doing. 

The word heart is defined in the bible figuratively as the seat of emotions, thoughts, and intentions.  It is the central or most vital part of something. 

God wants us to treasure His words in our hearts.  He wants us to hide His word in our heart so that we may not sin against Him.  He desires that we seek Him with our whole heart. 

In 1 Samuel 16:7 we are told that God does not look at the outward appearance as man does, but rather at the heart.  If God so focuses on the heart of man, then that tells me that I need to make that my focus as well. 

Soon after God gave me the name "Heartfelt Homeschool," our youth pastor was preaching one Sunday morning and, and he was teaching through Colossians 3:12-17.  In verse 12, Scripture tells us to "put on tender mercies."  He went on to elaborate that the word for "tender mercies" was "heartfelt compassion."  He further stated that the word heartfelt meant "felt deep within my innermost being."

WOW!  I was so excited!  God was teaching me through this name He had given me.   Now, I had more of a focus... a purpose... for our homeschool:

God's desire for our homeschool was that my focus would be on the heart of my children, in teaching their heart, and in keeping my heart cleansed before Him.  Our homeschool was certainly to be more than just academics; it was to be something that I felt deep within my innermost being.  This was to be a passion!  And even further still, God reminded me that I needed to put on tender mercies when teaching my children... to not become easily irritated or frustrated when they didn't understand something... or when I had to repeat myself for the umpteeth time... I was to put on tender mercies, just as Christ had shown mercy towards me.

Heartfelt Homeschool is a reminder to me of what God has called me to do... keep the focus on our hearts... are we pleasing to the Lord in what we do? 

How about you?  Is there meaning behind your school name?  If you do not desire or feel the need to have a school name, have you stopped and reflected on what the purpose, goal, and focus of your homeschool is? 

I'd love to hear your story or your thoughts on this subject.  Blog about it and leave me a comment so you, too, can be an encouragement to others sharing how God has worked in your homeschool!

Blessings,

~LISA