Matthew 6:34So don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

As I was sitting down this afternoon working on "Homeschooling With a Meek & Quiet Spirit," a few thoughts were brought to me that I'd love to share with you all.  Sometimes, it's really easy to come up with the "why" of homeschooling.  There are tons and tons of reasons we choose or are chosen to homeschool. When we get to the "how" it seems pretty simple in principle but, in fact, can be quite much more complicated in presentation!!  Sure anyone can choose a curriculum and implement it.  That doesn't require much sacrifice, but the "act" of homeschooling and doing it according to God's will and for the good of your family and children does!  After reading the first chapter (I might add for around my 5th time or so of reading this awesome book!), I came up with a list of words Teri uses that we can put into a definite list.  Look at these words and remember your first days of homeschooling and the ideals you possessed and then, often times (hopefully not too often) how we may feel on certain days..

  Some words for thought…..

 Adventure, delightedly, enthusiasm, looking forward, help, develop a love, no pressure, dream, patient, loving, meek, quiet, spirit, smiling, change of spirit, praise….

Vs.

 Trouble, too fast, negative, reluctant, attitude, stuck, exasperation, frustrated, short, irritable, struggled, failed, impatient, angry, disappointment….

Did I get any smiles there? Teri briefly brings up expectations in this section of the book..she was telling a story about her child and the expectations she had upon bringing him home from public schooling to homeschooling.  I circled the word "expect" and then looked it up in the dictionary for how many times do we as homeschooling parents tout the words..."It is our expectation, I expect you, etc..."  I was surprised to find the meaning of expectation quite entirely different than how I have used it in context with my children's educational experience..I might add here, that I feel I have been in grave error and will now use this definition much more whole-heartedly:

EXPECTATIONS….a looking forward to, anticipation, prospect for the future,

My challenge to you is to have great expectations about homeschooling!  Let's continually look forward to in anticipation of the great prospects we are forming for future generations!

My next thoughts were but how is that accomplished?  How do I always feel that spirit of homeschooling that I felt in the beginning.  The Lord led me to a wonderful website with His wisdom already spelled out so clearly for me (www.teachinghome.com)

  “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33 KJV).

This is the essence of the daily Christian walk, and applies to child training as well as to any other area. God has the answers to all our child-training questions, and we need to be in communion with Him to gain His wisdom and the strength to use it.

Remember, God “knit” your children together, so he knows them better than any child-training “expert,” His advice is free, and He's never busy! Throughout the day, when you are puzzled by your children's behavior, wondering how to direct their activities, or overwhelmed by the great task of teaching and parenting, take advantage of the guidance of your perfect heavenly Father.

How often do we as parents, get down on our knees when our children have frustrated us or we are frustrated and pray to God for His guidance? or do we just give in to the ease of being able to fuss at our children..which is far easier and unfortunately happens more often than most of us moms would care to have happen..I think of those moments when I am so excited about teaching something..like poetry.  I'll not forget, I was really into teaching William Wordsworth and thought his life story was so interesting and his poetry quite beautiful.  My kids looked like they could care less and no more wanted to recite Wordsworth poetry than be guillotined.  I really wanted to lose my meek & quiet spirit at that moment.  I did not; however, I wanted to know what could I do to get them to that point.  What was I doing that wasn't effective.  Once again, I was brought to scripture and some thoughts on that...

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 KJV).

This verse implies being proactive in teaching our children to walk in the ways of the Lord, guiding them in the steps they should take, not just letting them go until they do something wrong and then correcting them.

If your day is filled with frustration and bad attitudes, maybe you should stop teaching for a while and go back to training. Learning can be such a joy to them when they have been taught to quickly and completely obey with a joyful, content spirit. If they have not got that down, put the books on the shelf and work on getting them under your authority. They will be better students and you will enjoy your teaching much more. And what a joy it will be someday when they can transfer that obedience to God, doing His complete will immediately with a happy heart! Then you will know you have taught them the most crucial lesson, one that has eternal value.

Sometimes, I think, we get so caught up in "teaching" that we forget about "training." This teaches me that it is okay and as a matter of fact, it is necessary, that our children have character education even more so that academic education (if you allow me the term). 

Sacrifice.  It is a sacrifice and a blessed one.  Sometimes though, if we are struggling we must cut out something in our lives to make the very essence of what we are trying to accomplish easier to achieve.

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7 KJV).

For this Scripture to be real in your life, you have to be with the Lord a lot and be with your children a lot. Also, you have to be diligent in teaching them to pray and know the Word, incorporating it throughout the day.

Just as it appears, this does not leave much time for other activities. This may mean giving up a favorite hobby, an exercise class, or working outside the home. It may be painful (as giving up your will for God's usually is--Matthew 26:39), but you will reap the benefits years later when you invest in the eternal instead of the temporal (II Corinthians 4:18).

If you are unsure about the value of a certain activity in your week, take it to the Lord and offer to give it up, then pray and see what He would have you do. Freeing up your schedule to devote to your children really helps in child training, because as you are active in teaching your children the Word and spending more time with them, they will not have as much time to get into “mischief.” You will be the one coming up with ideas and activities, not they!

God has really put it on my heart today that with all things...

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5 KJV).

Some thoughts to ponder....

Romans 12:1

So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer yourlives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship. 2 Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking!

Isn’t the essence of having a meek & quiet spirit nurtured and born from an inner change?  A change in self for the good of all and Glory of God….  May God work in us all this week and in the weeks to come to change us from within with and help us form, nurture & grow our meek & quiet spirits…

 from Romans 12: 3…..You must decide what you really are by the amount of faith God has given you.

 & Romans 12:12….Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes, and pray at all times.

Happy Homeschooling with a Meek & Quiet Spirit!!!

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Posted by blessedmomof10

wonderful post! I read teri's book years back...... it is a wonderful book! I also love "keeping our children's hearts"...... both books are so insightful!
Blessings,
gloria

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Posted by anoldfashionedgirl

Thank you so much for what you have shared here. I really appreciate it. I so appreciate Teri's words of instruction and encouragement. Have you visited their familys site on the web? titus2.com? I love the moms corner that she writes.
Have a wonderful weekend.

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