Some of the greatest advice I was given about homeschooling is to make it my own and remember why I’m doing it.
This advice has really pulled me out of some dark moments when we are having a rough day. If I find myself yelling and something inside me says “Stop. This is not why you are homeschooling”. And I can pull myself out of that funk and change our pace or our scenery.
You see I am homeschooling so we can love and grow as a family in the way that best suits us. This means I can throw the books out the window if I need to. This means that spending an afternoon talking with the kids and my grandmother can be turned into so many lessons. History, Love, Health care. I mean living is learning right?
I think the best thing I can teach my kids is to walk in love with their life. And its trendy to say that. “Be kind” is all over the place. But I’ve seen someone in a “be kind” shirt being way less than kind to a check out cashier at Target.
We need to realize that truly walking in love causes a drastic change in our day to day lives. It should be noticeable to others around us. It should be constant even when (especially when) we have been wronged. Its not an easy happy feeling all the time. Its a conscious choice that you make daily.
I think we have as a society have begun to focus too much on the actions of others and we simply react to that. I think we all need to do more soul searching within ourselves and take a good look at our own hearts. Change comes from within each individual person.
I challenge myself and anyone reading this to make the decision to walk in love. Don’t just say it or feel it but walk in it. Every moment and every day. My kids are watching me and that right there is enough motivation for me.
Sometimes, especially in a pandemic when your home more than usual, its hard to know what kind of environment your creating in your home. The negative and stressful environment can sneak up on you. But if I choose to walk in love. If I choose to fill myself with Jesus daily I am creating an atmosphere of love in my home. I am making a conscious effort to be what I want my kids to be.
The other day the dog peed in his pen. When this happens its so bad. He lays in it and when you take him out he shakes. Its a disaster. Naturally I was angry. In the middle of my angry words and tears forming my daughter looks at me and says “Mom, you say not to be angry over stuff like this. No one is hurt everything is ok. I’ll clean it up”.
And instantly I felt an inch tall. How could I sit there and do exactly what I don’t allow them to do? But at the same time what a proud mom moment for me when she said that! And a great life lesson. That no one is perfect and walking in love no matter what’s happening around you is a hard thing to do at times.
Love Hard.