Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Giving Thanks in Homeschool...



As Christians, it is our duty and privilege
to give thanks and praise to the Lord continually.
"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks:
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you."
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


One of the many blessings that I
continually am thankful for is
the blessing of home education our children.

It is such a blessed privilege to have the freedom
to home educate our children
in the way the Lord leads us.
Our children alone are one of the greatest blessings.
They are an heritage of the Lord,
His reward, arrows in our quiver
that we have the wonderful privilege and responsibility
to prepare, focus, and aim
toward the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Ps.127)

We get to fulfill God's command
to teach them diligently while we sit, walk,
lie down, rise up... all day long!
(Deut.6:5-7)
Truly the Lord has blessed us greatly
in the privilege to train up our children
in the way they should go
and the wonderful opportunity to see
the fruit of our labors as they grow older
and do not depart from what they have been taught.

(Proverbs 22:6)

We get to see first-hand how the Lord
answers our prayers for our children.
We get to see them grow right before our eyes.
We get to see them make mistakes
and see the Holy Spirit work in their heart.
We get to see them respond to the Holy Spirit
and develop a love for the Lord.

Everyday is a day spent together as a family,
learning together, growing together,
loving and serving the Lord together.
That is something to truly praise God for.
One day the time will come
when they are no longer in our home.
They will have homes of their own.
We will no longer have the time and moments
that we have now
to teach, train, admonish, and nuture them
in the things of the Lord.
Oh, may we cherish these moments
and pour out thanksgiving and praise to God,
from Whom all blessings flow.


"I will bless the LORD at all times:
his praise shall continually be in my mouth."
~ Psalm 34:1




Benefits in Homeschooling

~ Passing on our family values ~
All day, every day we get to
point our children to the Lord Jesus Christ,
demonstrate Christ's love,
and the importance of living for Him.
We get to lead and direct them
in obedience to Him
and show them the joy of serving Him.


~ Sheparding their hearts ~
We have the opportunity to better see
the condition of our children's hearts, daily.
Which enables us to train them
and pray for them specifically.


~ Educating for Eternity ~
We have a wonderful opportunity
to teach, admonish, and train them
in spiritual Truths,
leading them to the Saviour,
shaping their character,
preparing them for service
that the Lord has for them,
to live a righteous life that
pleases our Heavenly Father,
honors and glorifies Him,
giving them a burden for souls,
which has eternal value.


~ A tailor-made education ~
We have the opportunity to teach them
according to their learning style, interests, etc...
We can encourage and allow them
to learn of their Creator and
His presence in all things.
We can encourage and allow them
to learn of the things they are interested in
and develop a real love for learning.


~ Academic Excellence ~
We have the opportunity to allow them
to explore and research fully,
enabling them for mastery in areas.
They are able to soak in what the learn.
Time is on our side as we are able
to educate them all day, every day.
They get to learn in 'real life'.


~ Flexibility and Variety ~
We have the opportunity to allow them
and encourage them to pursue their interests.
We have the freedom to choose
the direction of their education,
what tools to use, and the freedom
to make changes when needed.


"Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits."
~ Psalm 103:2



If you would like to share how you are thankful
for the blessing of homeschooling
and have posted your thoughts,
please feel free to LEFT click
on the graphic and save it
to use on a post where you share.
Please be sure to sign
the Mr. Linky if you post something.
I'd love to know about it. ;o)




"O Lord, open thou my lips;
and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise."
~ Psalm 51:15


9 comments:

Jodi said...

What a beautifully thought out post. Home education is a way of life for our family; we cannot imagine doing anything different.

I really do not know any other way in which we as parents can meet the demands God set before us in Deuteronomy. But more than just a duty ... it is a joy! The privilege of teaching my children about God is unmatchable.

A lovely post and a great thing for which to be thankful!

Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Tracy said...

What a lovely post, Christina!

Anonymous said...

Hi Christina,
One of my biggest regrets in raising my children is that I didn't homeschool. If I had it to do over I would teach my children at home.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving,
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

Is this a new meme you're starting? If so, what do you do?

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Karen
www.homeschoolblogger.com/SALT

Anonymous said...

Amen, Christina. Well said.

Suwei
apieceofcake.typepad.com/homeschooling_in_sg

Kristy Jo said...

Christina, thanks for posting this. I am not an official homeschooler yet, I do "school" with my 4 and 3 year old *daily* at least we try... And I am soo thankful that I have the opportunity. I cant say that this was always the case. I was very sad this past year when they excepted my dd early for k5 and My husband decided we couldnt send her due to finances, I spent much time in prayer (about my attitude) and I can say that my prayer has been answered and I now cant imagine ever sending them away (our plan was JUST for k5 for all three of them and then homeschool first grade on)
I wasnt really aware at how much my attitude had changed till my sil came over to my dads when her daughter who is the same age as mine. She walked in and IMMEDIATLY went on and on about how her kid was in school and mine was "oh thats right HOMEschooled" with that tone, you know the one i am sure.
Anyways she went on and on about what my niece new and the whole time in my head I was thinking, yep, my kids (kids both my 3 and 4 year old) know that, they know that, yep, that too, and that...
I didnt say anything, I allowed her to think she was showing me up, the reality is, the proof will be in the pudding, she will one day eat her words... but the point in all this is... I became so sorry for her at that point, eevn tho she was trying to put me down. I just thought, "my kids know all that an I was the one who was able to teach them! I got to see there faces as they learned that new thing, I got to give them a kiss or a hug after one of there accomplishments, I didnt have to hear it from a teacher or on a report card" I realized t hen how my heart had changed towards homeschool, even tho I always knew that is what I had to do for 1st grade on up , I didnt have a glad heart about it. It was in my mind a "last resort" cause we couldnt afford private and we were NOT doing public...
sorry for the book :P
and i DID want to THANK YOU for the list for the soldiers... We are excited about getting a package together!

Kristy Jo said...

I guess I should clarify too, we wont be doing k5 either at this point :P

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful post. I posted as well. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! ~Holly

Dina said...

a wonderful post!! Here in Malta we do not celebrate thanksgiving but i can be thankful for a lot, first i thank the lord for the family i have and for giving me strength everyday to deal with them and prepare for them.
I did not read the whole post so not sure what to do with the link ;)

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