Rom. 12:2  "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of t his world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will."

This scripture has been rolling around in my head for a week now.  I've been challenged with the thought that I'm conforming to the patterns of this world by worrying more about whether my kids can read, write and do math more than I 'worry' about whether they're following God and have a heart to serve and worship Him. 

The truth is, my kid's hearts must FIRST be turned towards God if I want to be an effective teacher to them.  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge...." (Prov. 1:7)

It's such a challenging thought!  How can I put aside the pressures/demands of the world that says my kids have to be learning at 'such and such' rate or I'm not doing a good job and instead put God's command first which says to "Impress them (his commands) on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." (Deut. 6)

"In view of eternity, it is FAR more important that your children become wholehearted disciples of Jesus Christ than it is they become 'well educated'."  (Educating the wholehearted child - Clay Clarkson)