For those that know us, then you know that homeschool is a daily portion of our lives. A 4th grader, a 2nd grader, a PK-K (somewhere in between little boy), and a toddler compose our homeschool. I am far from the perfect teacher, or maybe even a good teacher... but we are convinced that this is what we need to do and therefore we will continue homeschooling our children till the Lord tells us otherwise whether that means living where we do or in land of everything. And I am convinced that the Lord equips me to the task He hands me, so while I may not be the most creative, smart, and patient teacher ever, by God's grace I awake each day and embrace the life He has given me. Sometimes confidently and sometimes with fear and trembling. In that frame of thought...
Our eldest struggles with neatness in her handwriting. We have tried different things from different curriculum to hand-strengthening exercises to hand-eye coordination activities, and so on. In all honesty, I harp on this subject more than I would like. But I do try to encourage when a good copywork page, or handwriting page has been completed.
Last week, on one day, I was handed a school work page that I wasn't very pleased about the handwriting. I spoke to said eldest child about it. Why? Why sometimes so neat and other times soooooo.... not neat?
And that's when the comment came that struck me to the heart. "Momma, are you concerned about my handwriting or about what people will think about me or about you as my teacher?" The hammer was hit squarely on the nail's head. The statement wasn't made out of a spiteful spirit but in honesty. Almost as if the Holy Spirit had spoke directly to me, asking the very question. Very humbling!
And then I came to these passages of Scripture.
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If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
(Colossians 3:1-4 ESV)
Seeking not man's approval, but setting my mind on things above, Christ!
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:3-11 ESV)
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you
(James 4:1-10 ESV)
But he gives more grace.
Thankful for the Holy Spirit's work in my life, truths from the mouths of babes, the Word providing light to my path and directing my life.
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