Homeschooling and Beyond: Contradictions and Premises

Homeschooling has been an incredible blessing for our family, and I cannot imagine life any other way.  Indeed, the happiness of our home comes -in large part- from the innumerable benefits of homeschooling.  However, there are days that----just----don't---work.  Ever had one of those?  Yesterday, I just had so much to do, and I was determined to manage the impossible task of getting every single thing done.  There was but one little hiccup in my plan.   I had two children who were not one bit excited to learn anything.  It was as if-in tandem- both kids' brains decided to go on strike- to boycott-all mental stimulation. 

You see, it is my personality to persevere, be efficient, push through, "make it happen". The result? Frustration, uncertainty of my teaching abilities-to enthuse and invoke contemplation, and sadness as I felt I was not living up to the mom I wanted to be.


Okay. Okay.  Stop there.  Here is the lesson to be learned.   Had I just opened my Bible, meditated on His word, I wouldn't have had "one of those days." I would have quickly been reminded that it's not about me.  It's about Him!

You see, I really believed that my entire day had been in servitude to others (teacher, mother,wife, plumber (long story), garage door repair woman (another long story), house cleaner, cook, dry cleaner..you get the picture).  Servitude to my wonderful family is, indeed, the Lord's calling for me and the desire of my heart.  But, I realize now, the problem was not the day, or my unfocused kids, or that endless list.  The problem was me.  "Me", "my", and "I" was the priority of the day. Under the guise of servitude I was selfish.

What about what my children needed of me?  Did they need a shoulder to lean on?  Did they need a boost of confidence?  A boost of reality (delivered the proper way)?  Was I overwhelming them with too much work? Would I have listened if they voiced that thought? They worked so hard around the house, but did I praise them and thank them as I should?  Did my husband deserve my less than great mood when he got home from a hard day's work?   Or, was I too caught up in myself?  I think that the latter is closer to the truth.

The lesson is this:  when there are contradictions in your life...check your premises.  Ponder that thought for a moment.
And, when we get in His word, die to ourselves, and refocus on Him, the inevitable reality is that there won't be quite so many of "those days".  

So, love your family, focus on Him, and check those premises. Let there be no contradictions.