What Really Matters?

I wrote this last school year and it got stuck in my drafts. But since a new school year is upon us I thought it might be a fitting time to finally post this.

This morning I was folding laundry and praying for wisdom on how to deal with one of our children who needed some correction for a wrong decision he had made. As I looked at the time I wondered if we would get any book work (schooling) done this day. For this was already the 3rd child that had needed correction and it was only 9:00!! It definitely was seeming to be 'one of those days!'

And then God reminded me of something He had taught me years ago. Something that I seem to forget from time to time especially when I get caught up in the moment! Something that keeps me reminded of the reason we homeschool. DISCIPLING AND TRAINING OUR CHILDREN TO OBEY GOD AND HIS WORD IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY EDUCATION WE COULD EVER GIVE THEM! AND IT IS NEVER A WASTE OF TIME!!!

I'm not sure why I lose focus so quickly. I know what God has first called me to do as a mother....To train up our children to love, obey and honor God. Yet too many times I let "education" take over and push aside the things that are really important.

As I was sitting here looking at pinterest this evening God once again reminded me of this calling by showing me this blog post and I realized that He was confirming what He had spoken to me this morning.

"Because what will the math really matter if they are bitter?

 If the house is immaculate — but my attitude a mess? 

If they can count — but they don’t know how to count all things as joy? 

If we get the lists done, but have lost happiness in Him?

How can any grammar skill outweigh the fact they don’t know the language of grace and thanks? 

What good will it be if they can recite all the major British battles 

— but they don’t know to see beauty? 

What am I teaching our children if I’m not living simply, quietly this:

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy

—think about such things” (Phil. 4:8).

Focusing on what is beautiful, good, true –isn’t this the truest education?"

Taken from http://www.aholyexperience.com/2014/03/when-youre-tired-of-kids-complaining-15-ways-to-happier-grateful-kids/

I pray that this truth will stay foremost in all my days as a mother. For I know that when I stand before God one day to give account for all I have done, He will not ask me if we finished a certain math program or if my children were perfect in grammar. Rather He will ask me if I taught my children to love Him with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. If I taught them to love their neighbor as themselves. If I trained them up in the way they should go so that they would never fall away from Him.

This is true education and is more valuable than any bookwork our children could complete. And I pray that tomorrow when I go through my day and character training issues come up, that I will be able to see these as valuable opportunities to lead our children one step closer to the heart of God and know in my heart what really matters!