Apr. 24, 2008
Patience

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,"

Eph 4:1-2

That was the verse in the online devotion I read this morning.  Patience- whew, now that is one I struggle with.  But only where it concerns my family.  The very ones who I love the most.  Am I leading a life worthy of the calling that God has given me?  Am I always humble and gentle and (gasp) patient?

Let's take yesterday for example.  Taylor, Isaac, and I were sitting on the couch.  They were coloring while I read from Story of the World.  When I get to the comprehension questions (which I know is a weakness of Taylor's), I ask her something along the lines of - 'What other city have we learned about where the people choose the laws and the leaders instead of having a king?  Remember, it was a democracy.'  OK, so we have talked about this city pretty constantly for the last 2 weeks and I'm certain that she knows the answer.  What is her response?  She shouted out, "Romulus and Remus!"  Hmm, what part of CITY did you not understand?  So I gently try to ask the question again only to have her respond with, "Democracy!"  This goes on for a couple of minutes with me giving her all the hints I could think of and her answers were still always off the wall answers that could have never possibly been the answer to the question I was asking.  Needless to say, I did not end with the patience I should have exhibited.

Was I making allowance for her faults and weaknesses because of my love for her?  I'd have to answer no.  For those of us who know that homeschooling our kids is a calling straight from God, this verse is aimed right at us.  I pray that I will hide it in my heart today and let God's Word do it's work in me.

If you're interested in getting free homeschool devotions sent right to your email each morning, here's the link.  Right above today's devotion is small grey letters that you click to subscribe.

http://www.aop.com/homeschool/Resources_DailyFocus.php

( Say Howdy!)

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