Tag Archives: new homeschooling mom

The NEW Seedlings

Christianity, homeschooling, mom, motherhood, Parenting, Spiritual Encouragement, , , , , , , , ,

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Time in the garden has its moments!!

When I first started homeschooling, I was not completely confident in my ability to teach my own children.  Oh I knew that I truly had been called to do so, but I also heard a lot of negative from well meaning family members and friends.  “You cannot protect them forever”.  “They need to learn how to deal with the ‘real’ world.”  

Exactly.

Someone told me this story, and I cannot remember who it was or I would give credit.  It is probably not exactly how I heard it…but the same principle applies.

We start our plants from seeds.  The goal is for those seeds to grow into seedlings and then into the plant or vegetable to grow to full maturity.  We cultivate them when inside.  We make sure they get enough water, good soil and plenty of sunshine.  We move them from window to window if necessary, and even put them in a greenhouse.

We put them out.  Maybe too early, maybe not.  It is our first time growing our own plants, so it is a trial run really. The seedlings settle in the ground and the roots begin to grow.  Things are looking good!  Until…

The winds come, and the little seedlings get a bit unsettled.  The rain is so heavy and the seedlings have a hard time keeping their roots in the soil.  They are a bit wobbly.  Finally the rabbits raid the garden.  The roots are so battered, bruised, water logged….the rabbits win.  The seedlings are uprooted.  They did not last.  Maybe they were put out too early.

The next time we wait longer.  The roots are stronger and established.  Once planted in the garden they seem sturdy.  The rains come.  The wind comes, and those pesky little rabbits…but the roots stay firm.  The seedlings grow into strong sturdy plants.  They survive because their root system is strong enough to withstand all those issues!!  The storms rage and of course will come…but they stand.

So can we dare apply that to our children?  Can we put them in this old world too early?  We can train, teach and educate them until we feel we should.  We can go against what the world says…and follow the will of the Father.  It is not for everybody, but is it for you and your children? Are you called to educate your children? Only you can answer that question.

Trust me when I say…those storms will come and rage.  Your childrens’ root system will be tested.  Will their roots be strong enough?

Blessings dear ones~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

The M and M World

Christianity, homeschooling, mom, motherhood, Parenting, Spiritual Encouragement, , , , , ,

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The M and M World!  Sounds like a candy title to me!!  

Mary and Martha actually….

I have never been much into housekeeping.  I did it because I had to do it.  I got no joy out of washing dishes, making beds, folding clothes, dusting….I know, I know…some moms take the time to pray during this time or get up at 4 a.m. to accomplish these chores.  Nope, not me.  I felt the need to “educate” my sons in these areas, so I would wait.  I am pretty sure I had a dust cloth in the eldest hand by the time he was 4!  Or was that 3?

I did have a friend that was just the opposite of me.  She always was buzzing around her house getting things done.  She was super organized, enjoyed housework and I would never catch her sitting down. She believed that no time should have ever been “wasted”, and activity was too important to ever relax.  Seriously, she wore me out.  

 But which one can you relate to?  Which Mom are you?  Are you constantly up doing something?  Do you have a hard time just sitting and being still?  Or is your life pretty balanced?

In Luke 10:40-41 Mary and Martha were dealing with very much the same issue. “But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!’  ‘Martha, Martha’, the Lord replied, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'”

Sibling rivalry at its best!  And you are probably thinking…”Well if Jesus were visiting, of course I would sit and visit!” But do we now? That is a battle that we all face at one time or another.  Can we take time out of our busy schedules to sit at the feet of Jesus?  Do we have to learn to “Practice His Presence”?  Do we have to learn to be still?  I confess, I do.  In an age that is very goal oriented, we are all encouraged to be busy.

Jesus knew the importance of spending time with him.  Notice he did not tell Mary that what she was doing was wrong (there goes that Biblical excuse about not cleaning), it had to be done. But he did tell her not to be upset. Don’t get entangled in the things that can wait, those things that take you away from the foot of the Savior.

So our challenge is this…can we sit and be quiet and listen when we feel the “nudge” to do so?  Or do we put it off so we can finish up the vacuuming?  I have done that many times in my life…I have put the pressure on myself and I will miss that gentle “nudging” only to forget about it all together!

  I grow older, I would much rather be at HIS feet….and besides, my hubby has always preferred to do the housekeeping his way…so now I just let him… while I eat a few M&Ms!

Blessings dear ones~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*google image*

What MOM Can REST?!?

Christianity, Contemporary Christian Music, homeschooling, mom, Spiritual Encouragement, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , ,

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Wait, they are Asleep!! Rest…Wait, Who can REST??….There is Too much to do!!

I have just written a post on “resting in Christ” on my other blog, and thought of motherhood.  How on earth do you rest, let alone “rest in Christ” when you are a busy mother of a toddler, a baby, teenagers?  Not to mention if you have a  job outside your home,  homeschooling duties, ministry opportunities …well you get the picture and I am sure you are asking yourself that question.  

My desire is to give practical advice. Just  STOP!

 Now don’t get too excited.  I did not mean to stop, hop on a plane and head to St. Thomas (although that does sound inviting…hmmmm).  But there are certain things as Moms we just have to do.  We run the household in one way or another.  In this household I taught the boys as soon as they were able to learn how to cook, clean and do their own laundry.  Did it make my life easier?…Well not really, it took some time to teach them… But it did teach  skills that they most certainly have appreciated later in life.

However you choose take care of the household, you are still ultimately responsible.  It is easy to get into that “guilt and condemnation” rut that spews at you…”You never spend time with God, how can you possibly be a good________ (fill in the blank).  Friends, that is not from the Father.  You may not do a personal in depth Bible study daily, but don’t let that stop you from seeking Him everyday!  Never give up!  

I remember that every single day I had on Contemporary Christian music. (You can access http://www.wbvn.org from the internet or google CCM)  I became very consistent in that fact after I caught my eldest at the age of 3 acting out a soap opera that I was just sure he was not paying attention to!  Oh my, that was eye opening!

I tried to always read Bible stories to the kids daily and we believed that spending time on the truth was the most important thing we could do as parents. Although  I didn’t always seem to find the time to personally study or concentrate on God myself, these times with the kids would always minister to me in some way. And “out of the mouths of babes” never became more true!  Some of the discussions we would engage in as they got older will forever be etched in my memory.

Christian Music played a major part in our daily lives as well.   It was either based on scripture, or was scripture.  A three minute song could minister to me as a young mother like nothing else I did. And catching the boys singing a tune without their own awareness spoke volumes!  I could listen while folding laundry or changing a diaper.  They heard it as they played.  Either way I was involved in the spiritual and it affected the climate of our home.  

As I have already said a number of times, my boys are adults.  They actually remember songs that they heard when they were smaller.  I know that scripture has come to their mind many times through a song they sang along with.  As a teacher, I know that many facts can be taught in musical form.  What a better way to teach, and to REST ourselves!

So, take it easy on yourself Mom.  Your heart is in the right place.  There will be a day when they are gone (trust me on this) and you will have all the time in the world.  These seasons of life the Father provides many ways….you just have to be creative in how you access His word daily. 

And when they are down for that nap….take one yourself, or read a verse of scripture…the dishes can wait!!

“Matthew 11:28-30  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Be blessed dear ones,

IN CHRIST ALONE
Isaiah 55:8-9