September 26, 2003
Keeping Perspective
It's true that being a parent is one of the toughest jobs on earth. Add to that the responsibilities that go along with home schooling and, well, you've multiplied those responsibities. While it's certainly tough to be both mom and teacher, it is equally easy to be critical of ourselves when we've had a rough day or when things didn't turn out as we had hoped. Sometimes it seems too hard. Sometimes the cost just seems too high....
I ran across some more home school conference notes today, and what I found was a good reminder to take seriously the task of home schooling, but likewise, not to be too critical of myself in the process. Following are some of the key notes that struck a chord with me:
At the end of the day, ask yourself: (1) Did I take time with the Lord today?, and (2) Did I put people before things today? Note: If all my "ducks are in a row," I may have neglected the important for the temporal.
Jesus did not heal everyone. He did not change every life. But He completed the tasks He set out to accomplish. He was in tune with the Father and did only what He was assigned to do. Note: If I am overwhelmed with the tasks on my agenda, it is probably a sign I am taking on more than God intended....
It is not an accident that we are living in this time in history. Like Esther, God has called each of us to "this place" (home schooling) to prepare our children for the future, and by doing so, to affect generations to come. Note: Consider that God has placed us here, "for such a time as this."
Our tempation, when we look at the world around us, is to become fearful or anxious. But we are called to "mother" by faith, not fear. Sure, there are going to be some gaps in what we teach our kids. That is true of every school. And yes, we certainly seem to have a higher standard with which to live up to. But all things considered, all the days of our lives--and the lives of our children--were ordained before one of them came to be. So when we're tempted to be terrified, we must instead, trust.... Note: Trust God to order your steps. Trust God with the lives of your children.
At the end of the day, after all the lessons have been taught and the school work is completed; after the dinner dishes have been washed and the house has settled into that quiet resolve once the kids are in bed, take a moment to look for the ways God worked in your life and in the lives of your children today. While we must count the cost of this commitment, we must also not forget to count the blessings as well.
[Notes taken from the Wholehearted Mothers Conference, February 1999. The speaker was Jean Fleming, author of A Mother's Heart.]
Posted by at September 26, 2003 09:49 PM
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