Today our summer break ends and we start a new school year!  Sam starts 3rd grade and Arabella and Sharon start 1st grade.  And here is the truth about typing out these words:

our children are blessed with the opportunity to be educated.

This is something I cannot quit thinking about.  I look into Sharon’s face and realize, she used to be an orphan who, if had not been adopted, would be in an orphan’s boarding school right now in Uganda IF her orphanage director had been able to raise funds to send her there.  I praise God as I type these words that HE intervened and this will not be her future!!! Ah, He is just so amazing to redeem life that is bleak and place His children on a path that is right bright and full of hope.

The problem is, Sharon’s mother (me) forgets her past because she is in America now.  The land of opportunity, rapid growth and expectation.  I forget she was neglected.  I forget she was not read to, rocked, and sung to like my other two babies.  Last year I expected her to progress on the path of the American Kindergartener.  There were tears and frustration — all from a love that wanted to see her succeed and be on grade level by the end of the year.  (An expectation this past public educator has a hard time letting go of).

Enter in: a long pause of summer and SEEKING GOD IN PRAYER about God’s educational plans for my children.  If you missed downloading “A Beautiful Blossoming Prayer Guide” to help pray and plan over your child’s school year, you can download it here:

A Beautiful Blossoming Prayer Guide

During this time at the Father’s feet interfacing with God about my kids, here is what He whispered to me:

Teach them GENTLY AND DILIGENTLY. 

A gentle demeanor.  A diligent work ethic.

This is how Jesus teaches us:

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29

This is how we are called to teach our children the ways of God:

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:7

God is so good to give me this little nugget of a homeschool philosophy in three little words!  Just enough to whisper in the form of a prayer when I feel like giving up or yelling or hiding in the bathroom, amen?

I have never been a traditional “school” parent, but I think this applies to us all, no matter what educational  path the Lord has put your family on.  I hope it inspires you to pull your babies close in encourage them, but to also expect them to work for excellence to glorify their heavenly Father this school year.

Above all else, let us remember that our children’s education is a gift denied to many!