Our Busy Little World
Aug. 28, 2006 - The Never Ending Adventure (or The Beauty of Learning)
I recently discovered The Carnival Of Beauty and wanted to join in for this week's topic "The Beauty Of Learning."
The lovely thing about learning is that it's always there. It's not something I'll ever be able to cross off of my to-do list. It's nothing I will ever fully "accomplish". But this is good. If throughout my life I continue to learn, it means that throughout my life I will continue to grow, to discover, to enjoy that feeling of "wow, I never knew that!" I had one of these moments yesterday when I (finally) realized that my good old Strong's concordance also contains a Hebrew and Greek dictionary. I was so excited to discover that I can look up ANY word in the Bible, learn its root word and definition, and also see where else in the Bible the same root word is used. This was a HUGE encouragement to me as I was able to sit down and figure out why something that I had read in a book that day just didn't sit right. I'd been discouraged about it all day, feeling like I should just take this author's word for it that "this is what it meant in the original languages", when what he was saying just didn't seem Biblical. Well, thanks to that dictionary, I was able to figure out exactly why it didn't sit right - because it wasn't right! The Word of God became all the more clear as I was able to learn which word was actually used, and where else it was used, to get an idea of context. It was SUCH a good feeling! I feel silly that it took me so long to figure out it was there . . . .
Another delightful thing about learning is the way it draws people togther. It's something I can always do with my little ladies. Here I shall admit my ulterior motive to homeschooling - I want to get a great education myself! I'm so excited every time we get a new book, because even if it's written for children, I usually learn just as much as my girlies. When one of my daughters asks me the endless question of "why", I often have to stop and learn "why" myself in order to answer them. Learning is one thing that provides for communion between people of all ages and walks of life- whether it is simply because we all have things to learn, or because we can each learn from one another. It is one of the beautiful things about our precious elders - the crown of wisdom God has bestowed upon them is a seemingly endless source of learning for us "youngers".
I suppose the most beautiful thing about learning is that true learning always brings us to God. Not only this, but He has given us a life-long source of learning in His Word. We could read nothing but His Word all of our days, and we would never lack for learning. I've joined the BasicallyBluedorn discussion group which is reading through and discussing the wonderful book "Teaching The Trivium" (if you're interested in joining, there's a link to the group at the bottom right of this page). One thing I was reading this weekend in the first chapter is "No true education can take place without reference to God. Education is for a purpose. If the purpose does not have God in view, then it is godless education, and it will eventually produce godless results. . . Everything can be taught from a beginning place in the Word of God. . .This establishes the authority for all of education. Of Him and through Him and to Him are all things. The Word of God contains, in seed form, everything necessary to completely educate a man: all true principles, all worthy values, all proper goals." Anything that is worthy of learning, is something that should allow us to better glorify God. After all, even in eternity I think we shall always be learning. More and more of His glory will continue to be revealed to us, so I suppose that means we shall always be learning more of the Beauty of our Lord!
Comments
Aug. 28, 2006 - :)
Posted by reformingmama
I have the very same ulterior motive! :)
~Stacy
Aug. 28, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by teena6
I LOVE the pic of your baby in that chair.
I love coming to your blog~
Aug. 28, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by teena6
when I started to post it was your sweet baby in the pic....
think of my surprise when I came back and saw that doll in the potty! UGH LOL
Aug. 29, 2006 - Same here
Posted by homeskoolmom
I too have the ulterior motive of learning myself while I am home schooling my children. It is so much fun and this time I really am learning!!! I NEVER liked history in public school-- now, I love history. It is so interesting. Goes to show that you can teach an old dog new tricks--lol
Have a blessed day,
Christine
Aug. 29, 2006 - Love it!
Posted by www.lightsurprises.blogspot.com
I love the picture of your little one in the hat! My girls can't get enough of dressing up!
I am also amazed at what I'm learning while teaching my little ones. I can't wait to start them on the trivium so that I can finally get a grasp of history in chronological order!
Anna
Aug. 29, 2006 - Welcome to the carnival Melissa!
Posted by Anonymous
And what a wonderful post! I am also a homeschooling mom and it is soooo true that we get the marvelous opportunity to learn right along with our kids!
What a great blog you have here - I'll be back!
Blair
http://blog.atih.com
Aug. 30, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Barbara H.
I like the thought that "learning is always there" as well as the fact that our learning should be based and God and His Word.
http://barbarah.wordpress.com/
Aug. 30, 2006 - Carnival
Posted by Anonymous
Welcome to the carnival! I am learning with my little one....mostly how to keep my temper at the moment!...but I look forward to the future days of development and experiences.
Aug. 30, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Susanna
OOPPS. I didn't mean to be anonymous!
www.sleepingbabe.blogspot.com
