So… on September 1st, this mommy ventured into the world of "homeschool". And boy, was it rough. I’m thankful that my Kindergartner is gracious, and didn't see right through my nerves. No one ever told me how much grit it takes to homeschool. You REALLY DO have to be organized.
I thought I was organized. I. WAS. NOT.
So, we kind flew by the seat of our pants on day one, and then that night, I sat down to learn from the mommies world over, who were MUCH more experienced that me. What did I find? LOTS of planning sheets. :)
Seems someone has been where I am before. It’s almost like I can see their footprints in the sand ahead of me as I step into the unknown. But, even more so, I saw the footprints of the Lord ahead of me, and I was even more thankful. I bet you’re wondering why I brought up the Lord’s footprints, huh? Let me explain.
It seems that God has graced us with a wonder-filled, very intelligent, and inquisitive person, in the body of my Big Man Tater. He has many questions, and is always trying to "figure out" the world around him. I can see him trying to make sense of it all. Some days I’m amazed by it, and on others, totally annoyed. That’s just honesty, folks.
So, enter Day One of Homeschool Math, which I have been told, tends to be a more difficult subject for most. And with much advise and instruction, I set on teaching math first – ALWAYS DO THE HARD STUFF FIRST. So, we open to Lesson One in our book, and he breezes right through it, and looks at me like, "this is math? Where's the hard stuff?"
And, right there, on DAY ONE of homeschool, not even 10 minutes into our journey, I am faced with a HUGE decision. Do I let him advance to lessons that are challenging for him, to keep his attention? Or do I stick to the plan, already laid out for me, and walk through each day as it is written, whether or not he already comprehends the material?
I never thought I would experience such a range of emotions on DAY ONE of homeschool. But, mostly… FEAR in the form of those nagging questions… "what if he loses interest in math, and we never get it back?", "Will be a bad mother if I withhold him from walking too quickly ahead, when another place is prescribed for him at this point?” I wish I could say I had an easy answer immediately. But, it took a couple days of deliberation, and a conversation with my best friend before I saw the footprints of the Father's heart, and that He had already been here, with an answer.
Here I was fussing with myself, and hearing my friend’s, but not really listening. to “what”was being said. And then, I heard the words of another Counselor, spoken quietly to my heart. Slow IS NOT bad. Build the man. Mastery over familiarity. And then this beautiful picture of a Father and His child, walking together took shape in my heart's eye.
I could see the heart of a Father, who was walking with his child, and would gently correct the child who was intent on walking ahead of Him, instead of by His side. The Father knew that though the child was ABLE to go ahead, but He had more in mind for this walk, and wanted the child to experience the beauty of his surroundings.
Then James 1:4 found it’s way into my heart. "Let patience have it’s perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” And there... I sobbed. I stopped what I was doing, and sobbed. And I heard Father’s heart for me, and you, and every child He has made…
"Going SLOW is for you. It’s meant to build you. It’s meant for your good. Don’t try to run ahead, just because you can. Stay close by My side, and you’ll see and experience every good thing as we walk together. Don’t let the enemy tell you that we’re walking slowly because you can’t run. You certainly can. But, I would rather you be complete, and mature, lacking no good thing, than fast and familiar. Learn of me."
So, my prayer for us today, and everyday, is that we stick to the prescribed plan set before us, and not leap ahead of God simply because we have the ability to run. He has indeed gone before us, and is now walking along side us. And if we’ll go slow with HIM, then we’ll experience His glory and grace in the moments as we pass them by.
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