Another first day of school

  I woke up this morning with eager anticipation for the day: our 21st “first day of homeschool.”  In the early days of homeschooling, I would not have even guessed where we would be today — in terms of both where we’ve been or how many children have been taught at the table.  I could not have asked or imagined the blessings that have come through the years.  Additionally, I most certainly didn’t know enough to know that there would be days of anguish or exasperation — near despair over what I don’t know and couldn’t communicate.  But I also didn’t know enough to know that there would also be days of immeasurable satisfaction and that the accomplishments over the years would bring such great joy.  I suppose, I didn’t know the LORD enough to know that He would be my strength and my song — my ever present help in trouble or in time of need.

As always, we seek to train up the children in the way — in the way they should go — in the fear and admonition of the LORD.  My goal/our goal is for the children to be taught of the LORD at His pace – in peace – in His time.  As a homeschooling mother, I’ve been learning that the greatest achievement will not be what I do, say or model, but what the LORD does in and through each of the children based on how and what they learn and how they apply their studies. So then, I’m profoundly aware each day of the awesome task before me – I’m mindful that they will be influenced for good or evil, to be industrious or slothful in work, attentive or ignorant in learning, obedient or disobedient in behaviour, careful or careless in presentation, eager or apathetic concerning the things of God, studies or prayer or a myriad of other things.  If my work is half-hearted, if I murmur or if my example is poor, then the resulting teaching will be unfruitful and will bring them a snare.

… a child left to himself bring his mother to shame.”  —proverbs 29.15

what a powerful proverb. But what joy a mother has whose children walk with the LORD.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” –3John 1.4
Truly, I am beginning to grasp the tremendous truth and blessing of faithful children.  I know no greater joy than this… and so, today as we embark on another year of homeschooling, I’m desiring this above all things — that the children will walk in Truth — that they will know Him.

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children;” –Psalms 103.17

I pray to teach them to love to work, to love to read, help, learn and then I pray to see frequent use of education through application and teaching of others by example.  Above all, I pray each one of our children will be found faithful.  I pray they will have good understanding and rich insight and that the LORD will make them wise.

I pray to be found faithful to the unparalled calling of motherhood and I pray to demonstrate this in joy to each one of our children.  How grateful I am to know that I am not alone in this great calling — in this great charge.  King Lemuel’s mother (or Soloman’s mother) taught him well — and, my-o-my, what an example we’ve been given in theProverbs 31 passage of Scripture.

And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. –2Timothy 3.15