.Thoughts From a Recovering School Teacher.

A strange title. I know. But the more I dive into this home school stuff, the more I realize how my degree in elementary education and my few years experience teaching in Christian schools can be such a hinderance to homeschooling. I am having to retrain myself and unschool some of my thinking. Last year was our first official year homeschooling. I did preschool with Cadi. We had the best time and were both sad to see the year close. It wasn't a perfect year, I made mistakes along the way, and I hope and pray that from every mistake that I have made that I have grown.

On Monday, my firstborn, my only daughter, will begin her official school career. Sure, last year we were homeschooling and did preschool everyday, and I was detailed and planned and scheduled. But it seems as if with kindergarten there is no. going. back. That's it. It's onward forward, and before I know it she will be receiving her high school diploma. {gasp} (Remember - life is just a vapor?!) I contemplated doing another year of preschool, but Cadi turns five in a few weeks and she is more than ready for kindergarten. (Even if Mommy isn't!) Physically I have everything ready. Except for her chalkboard. We painted a rectangle on the school room wall last night and filled it in with chalkboard paint. We have had the paint for over three years! {grin} Now we just need to put up some trim board around it to give it a more finished look. Hopefully we can do that tomorrow. The last few days and this weekend I am focusing on preparing my heart. I never, ever want to take this incredible gift of educating my children, that I have been trusted with, for granted.

While reading today I came across these words:
A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40

What a sobering thought to know that my children will eventually become what I am. I am my children's standard for Christian maturity. Wow. Whatever goals I set for Cadi (and Scotty!) for this new school year, I must also set for myself. Whatever I want to be on their hearts must be on my heart first.

I had planned for this post to be all about my curriculum, my schedule, my plans, our projects, etc. And maybe that will come, but this this is much more important than any of the above. All true education begins and ends with God. It is more than just imparting Bible knowledge to my children, it is helping them develop an authentic relationship with their Creator through His Word. How do I impart that? The biggest way is for me to live out an authentic relationship with my Creator through His Word. I want to train my children's hearts to seek God and His truth, but first I have to make certain mine is trained and retrained and trained some more. Of course I desire for Cadi to learn the basics this year, and she will - I have no doubt.

But above all else my prayer is that she would love the Lord her God with all of her heart, soul, and might, and that she would love her neighbor as herself. If she learns nothing else in kindergarten this year, than our year will have been a success.

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