This homeschooling journey has been as much a learning experience for me as it has been for my children. One thing I have learned is the importance of understanding my strengths as a mom and teacher. If our curriculum is made up of hands on projects requiring lots of intensive prep and clean-up...we ARE going to fail. It's a given, because, no thank you! Likewise, if it's nothing but pulling the next worksheet out of a book we won't do so well there either. The best homeschools thrive when everyone's style, including mom's, is taken into consideration.
In Teaching from Rest (highly recommended!), Sarah Mackenzie uses the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 as a great example of this (John 6:1-12). She encourages moms to come to the table with what they have. Jesus can take our little basket of fish and bread and use it to feed a multitude! We just have to bring our basket.
Truth be told, I panicked when I read that the first time. What is in my basket? What do I bring to the table? I have spent a lot of time over this last year considering my strengths and gifts and what our ideal homeschool looks like. Some great things have come out of this line of thought and by the grace of God, our school is doing well. But that's not actually the point I want to make here!
I recently read the story again with my children, and for some reason it wasn't the boy who selflessly gave the basket who caught my eye. It was the crowd of hungry people. Most of the people in this group didn't pack any food! This I can identify with! I like a good plan, but there is something special about that spur of the moment, go with the great idea and hope the details work out kind of adventure! The crowd came to listen to Jesus. They came unprepared. They were there to receive what the Lord had to offer and at the end of the day, they were still a part of the miracle.
So yes, I have things in my basket to contribute. But equally if not more important I just need to show up, recognize my weaknesses and that I am not always prepared, and give them over to the Lord. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul says,
In Teaching from Rest (highly recommended!), Sarah Mackenzie uses the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 as a great example of this (John 6:1-12). She encourages moms to come to the table with what they have. Jesus can take our little basket of fish and bread and use it to feed a multitude! We just have to bring our basket.
Truth be told, I panicked when I read that the first time. What is in my basket? What do I bring to the table? I have spent a lot of time over this last year considering my strengths and gifts and what our ideal homeschool looks like. Some great things have come out of this line of thought and by the grace of God, our school is doing well. But that's not actually the point I want to make here!
I recently read the story again with my children, and for some reason it wasn't the boy who selflessly gave the basket who caught my eye. It was the crowd of hungry people. Most of the people in this group didn't pack any food! This I can identify with! I like a good plan, but there is something special about that spur of the moment, go with the great idea and hope the details work out kind of adventure! The crowd came to listen to Jesus. They came unprepared. They were there to receive what the Lord had to offer and at the end of the day, they were still a part of the miracle.
So yes, I have things in my basket to contribute. But equally if not more important I just need to show up, recognize my weaknesses and that I am not always prepared, and give them over to the Lord. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul says,
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."Show up. Sit at his feet and be a part of the miracle.
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