A Gracefull Place

This post is from some insights during my quiet time over a month ago, as well as some thoughts from the sermon the day before.  I had (and have!) been seeking the Lord to help me keep my focus on the most important thing–Him.  It’s so easy, though, to fear, especially in the homeschooling arena!  Fear of parents or in-laws, fear of what the neighbors think or even fear of possible legal hassles.  Yet we don’t want to be driven by fear.  No "teaching to the test" or "covering subjects" in case we might be questioned.

 

It takes real faith and fortitude to do what the Lord tells you and not mind what others think!  I don’t mean have a "who cares?" attitude–but to firmly stay put on the path you know He wants you on.

 

So these musings are out of my desire to walk the path God has called us to and not let fear drive me.

 

Psalm 108:1  My heart is fixed on God.  Then I can purpose in my heart to not defile myself with the world’s systems (Daniel 1:8), but purpose to be pure and undefiled (Psalm 119:1), so I can have God’s wisdom (James 3:17).

 

Psalm 78:8, 37  To set my heart aright and remain steadfast wtih God; v.7 to set my hope in Him; v.22 believe and trust Him; vv. 52-53 He will guide me and lead me on safely.

v. 72 I feed my children with the integrity of my heart and guide them by the skillfulness of my hands (work with them!).

 

By believing His commandments, He teaches me good judgment and knowledge.

 

Proverbs 18:15  My heart gets knowledge through loving Christ first. (see also Eph. 3:17+19)

 

His name is a strong tower of refuge and safety!  (Pr. 18:10)

 

Truly the best "education" is knowing God, applying His Truth, learning to love His commands, His Word and having my children work with me.

 

Psalm 108:52-53  I can trust Him to guide me and lead me safely,

                                                     but first purity (James 3:17)

                                                           Because:

                                 Matthew 5:8  "Blessed are the pure in heart, 

                                               for they shall see God."

 

The goal is teaching them to control their thoughts, focusing them upon Christ.

 

"Be humble, trusting the Lord to give you wise counsel from His Word and bring you the resources you will need."  

                  ~Maridel Willer~

 

"The secret (of the sweet, satisfying companionship) of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its (deep, inner) meaning."  Psalm 25:14

 

`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`:`~`

 

This is what I want for my children–for them to have an intimate, living, love relationship with the Lord!  But it can only come by first having a pure heart–which He also gives.   The keys are humility and faith, and self-control in the sense of not making any provision for the flesh.  They must learn to delight themselves in Him, seeking Him in His Word as well as in prayer;  seeking His will, His companionship, in every area of life.

 

And the best way to teach them that is by my example!  I believe that is what Psalm 78:72 means.  I teach them, "feed" them, by the integrity of my heart.  I must be what I want them to be.  And then I guide them "by the skillfulness" of my hands.  I truly believe that is working with them, praying with them, playing with them  —in short, living life with them!  

 

I can’t let fears, curriculum demands, outside activities, or what others think I should be doing drive me, or I will drive my little lambs. 

 

I have heard that in Israel, a shepherd doesn’t "drive" his sheep.  He simply speaks a word, and they follow him.  Now, we’ve had sheep before, just four of them, and believe me, they didn’t follow us just by "speaking"!  Only if we were banging the feed can, too! 

 

But, neither did we spend as much time with the sheep as this shepherd obviously spent with his.  Trust built on a relationship–they knew they could trust him, and they knew his voice (I suppose that meant he talked to them a lot!  I never talked to our sheep…..)  They knew when he spoke the word and got up, they were following him to better pastures.  They didn’t need to fear because they were trained to trust his leadership.  

 

Of course there are rich spiritual analogies here!  

 

The opposite is the way other shepherds "herd" or drive their sheep.  Sometimes with dogs, sometimes just on horses, or maybe even ATVs now!    But it’s bedlam!  

 

Which do I want?  Well!  That’s no contest!  Of course I want the peaceful "just speak a word and they follow" kind of shepherding!

 

But it takes time.   Investing my life.   Speaking often so they "know" my voice.  And I bet that means keeping my voice soft and sweet, because shrill yelling gets tuned OUT!  (Besides that, it really scares the sheep!)

 

The wise in heart shall be called prudent:  and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning."  (Pr. 16:21)

 

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."  (Pr. 16:24)

 

Ah!  So that’s how I feed them—with the sweet honey of my lips, bringing sweetness and nourishment by the words I speak (Song of Solomon 4:11).   That only comes through a pure and sweet heart, nourished by the sincere "milk of the Word" (I Pet. 2:2). 

 

After that, my actions will flow out of a pure and sweet heart, with my only desire to glorify God, especially in leading my children to Him.  He grants the skill to my hands, and by His grace I become "God’s fingerprint, leaving His impression with my loving hands."  My love for Him will result "in beautiful works done in trust and honor to His Name." (Laine Amivizca)   And what are the most beautiful works I can do?

 

Building up my "home", my husband and children.  When my heart attitude is right and focused on serving them, they will feel my love as I serve Him by serving them!  My heart will be revealed by my loving deeds!

 

So as I work with them, whether on phonics, fractions, writing a letter, doing the dishes, making a pie or hanging out laundry–I am building relationships.   And remember–as those "Rs" of relationships are in place, then the other "3 Rs" will flow naturally out of life.

 

And you’ll wonder why you made it so hard!  Why you didn’t trust Him sooner!

 

Trust Him, beloved friend in the Lord!  He is the Good Shepherd.  He will not drive you, but gently lead you.  If it seems unfamiliar, remember He is only leading you to better pastures, and He will protect you from any true danger to your or your family’s souls.  He will feed and guide you as you feed and guide your lambs. 

 

Remember–you must be what you want your children to be.  Humble.  Surrendered to Him.  Totally yielded.

 

Just listen for His voice……and follow.

 

 

 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 at 8:51 pm and is filed under Real Life Learning. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.