This summer, I have taken a vacation to the Grand Canyon, participated in homeschool conferences, reorganized closets, and had many house guests. In looking back, these are good things. In looking forward, I feel un-prepared for the coming school year. I haven't even started looking at curriculum and have only purchased two math books. Yikes. But I still have some time. What SHOULD I be doing with the rest of this time?
It should be a time of drawing closer to the Lord and becoming one with Him as He is with His Father (John 17).
It should be a time of renewing priorities that have been overlooked or bypassed in the rush of things, priorities like teaching my children first and foremost to love God and, second, to love others.
A time to relearn gentleness and to have the law of kindness on my tongue;
to stay on schedule but not let the schedule rule me;
to pray more and think less, and to have the mind of Christ instead of leaning on my own understanding.
Most importantly is to hunger and thirst after righteousness and to draw near to God – for this is the way of peace and rest.
Even during the summer, my children keep growing in stature, maturity, knowledge and wisdom, sometimes without much help from me, and sometimes with a great amount of help. Some things I only need to explain one time, others I have to teach and re-teach. Repetition is the name of the homeschooling game. I seem to need repetition as much as they. I now know why I am called a “child” of God!
Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. My highest priority in prayer, in mothering, and in teaching is toward this same end for my children.
What should I be doing? Praying. Praying for the coming school year. Praying for wisdom for each child. Praying that the Lord will direct my steps. Praying in worship and adoration of the One who is above all things.
Praying is what I should be doing. Praying while I am walking down the homeschooling road and bringing my children along with me in prayer.
Praying for you!
Deborah
