Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Confessions of a Home-Schooling Mom

“But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.” (Proverbs 10:1b)



We experienced a problem in our homeschooling today (Tuesday) as it seemed I was the only one who showed up for classes! Oh, Shane was with me in body, but not in mind or attitude. He is usually a great little student, but I've seen some bad habits sneaking into our days. Things one could label as "foolishness". Things that caused this mother's heart to weigh heavy. I was so determined that after Christmas and all the hubub, our school year was going to be better during 2008. Today, however, as my cute and lovable child seemed to be so very UNmotivated and intent on making foolish choices, I must admit it folks, I lost my temper. I was angry at him for acting foolish; but when all was said and done, I was the foolish one. Losing my temper and raising my voice wasn't really what he needed. I'm sure that looking at my distorted face, as I let him have it verbally, wasn't all too healthy for him either. I was the adult here and supposedly the mature one, but in actuality, I was the biggest fool of the day. I had to ask my son for forgiveness but first I went to my Heavenly Father and asked for HIS sweet forgiveness; then the day got better! And yeah, I know all the "rules" for moms, etc. I know I slipped and acted ugly. Let me say it right out, I was foolish and I SINNED!!! Thank God for 1 John 1:9!!!! I like to refer to that Scripture as the Christian's bar of soap! *smiles*



I don't recall any reference in God’s Word that sheds a positive light on fools or foolishness. Proverbs verifies the claim that one should strive to put away foolishness. My moments of foolishness today brought to mind the story in Acts. A devotional I read recently spoke about how apparently, the new believers in Christ had been fellowshipping and sharing their belongings (Acts 4:32). Barnabas (one of the believers) decided to sell a portion of his land to help the group and gave the money to the apostles. Two other believers, Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, did the same thing; but for whatever reason, they decided to keep a portion of the money for themselves (Acts 5:1-10). Ananias and Sapphira attempted to fool the apostles by declaring that they had given the total amount. God’s response to this deception was quick and severe – within three hours, both Ananias and Sapphira fell over dead for trying to fool the Holy Spirit. They acted foolishly and were struck dead within hours! Boy, am I glad I found MERCY GRACE in the eyes of the Lord today!

What about your homeschooling family? Have you noticed any foolishness creeping into your children’s actions? Here is yet a better question: Have you noticed any foolishness creeping into your own life? Be careful; foolishness left unchecked has the potential to destroy your child’s life. Although the world may celebrate a day when people deceive and pull embarrassing practical jokes, God’s Word says something entirely different about foolishness – “The thought of foolishness is sin.” (Proverbs 24:9a)



As we beseech the Lord for guidance, let's not forget to ask Him to show us how to discipline our precious children when they start to act foolishly. Ask for the wisdom to train their immaturity into responsible ations that will glorify the Lord. I always try to remember and ask the Lord to convict me of any foolishness in my life as well.

12 comments:

TO BECOME said...

I think you are a great mom. I am sure that today will be much better.

I love your new blog look. It looks like you. love you, connie from Texas

Teresa Maynard said...

The impressive thing is you saw it, and used the Lord and his word to get past it. You truly are a great Mom!! Shane is blessed with you just as you are with him.

Rita Loca said...

I had a similar moment myself yesterday.In our house it usually involves math.
Pam, you really preached it here and I needed it! amen, sister!

Mimi said...

we all have those days... even those of us whose children are grown... and our spouses are not responding the way we think they should..
you are a real blessing to Shane, simply because you take the time and energy to home school him!!
and I'm sure God doesn't expect you to be perfect all the time...
(after all you areperfect most of the time, aren't you? :0)

Susan said...

John 1:9 God provides everything we need!!!!! It's up to us to use it and you did.

Great preaching Pam!!!
Susan

groovyoldlady said...

Gee, is ranting and raving foolish? If so....

Sheesh! Good things my kids haven't been ruined for life. Even better is that they forgive me. Best of all is that my Heavenly Father forgives me!

And Now:

Many apologies for the, um, embarassing blog referral. He usually isn't quite so, um, "out there" if ya know what I mean. I put an apology on my blog and put up a new post so other folks don't go rushing over there until he's behaving properly.

Anonymous said...

Pam, my dear friend,
I now know you are normal!!!!

We all have days where the students do not go with the school flow.....I have been known in past years to go in my room and close the door for a short time (remember, I had five students!!)...of course, they passed notes under the door and I could hear the troops organizing downstairs...
And yes, I have had to apologize before, also!!
However, we do not have a schoolroom---just a home training for the race before us!!
BTW, little boys do get times where school is naot the most important things in their lives, and we have to back up and punt and CAUSE them to learn ....be inventive!!

GREAT POST!!!

Justabeachkat said...

Been there, done that! It's just part of life. Don't beat yourself up. Consider it a lesson...you taught him today that you're not perfect, but that you love him ans want what's best for him. You taught him how important it is to apologize. You taught him to pick yourself back up and move on. All in all, a great lesson...for both of you.

Hugs!
Kat

Anonymous said...

ONE LAST THING I FORGOT---life lessons are taught not from books, but as we live everyday life!!

That is how character comes about also!!

Anonymous said...

i typed this *LONG* response and blogger dumped it. argh.

and now i can't remember all that i said. sigh. getting old is crumby sometimes.

we all have those days and sometimes enough days turn into character issues that need to be dealt with. you're doing just that. you're a wonderful mother and parent educator - and Shane is a wonderful boy.

hugs and prayers,
sherry

Rebecca said...

Hugs to you. At least you're in there trying. I'm sure all mothers have their days. Mine did and no doubt I will (poor Alaina) lol. The important thing is you recognized what was amiss and went about correcting it. Praise the Lord for mothers like you!

Jodi said...

Pam ~ What a wonderful post! I think our efforts to train the foolishness out of our children is far more important than any academic subject we teach them.

And regarding our foolishness as parents ... I have always felt that one of the reasons children are a blessing is because sometimes they are a velvet hammer in the hands of our Lord as He chisels away *our* bad spots!

PS Your new blog design is très élégant! :o)