Tidbit #27 Addendum
Posted by: homenews <homenews@...>
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THE HOPE CHEST HOME SCHOOL NEWS
with Virginia Knowles
Tidbit #27 Addendum on February 23, 2004
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Dear Hope Chest readers,
I suppose its becoming a habit to send out an addendum after most Hope Chest issues. Well, not only do I have something more to say, but a reader named Wanda has some encouraging words for us too!
The last issues theme was Dont Waste Your Life based on John Pipers book. I wanted to encourage readers to make the most of the time they have, not just in home schooling, but in their whole days, weeks, months and years. I may have left the impression that Im really victorious in this area. Far from it! I cant count how many hours I waste on trivialities and inefficiency. By Gods grace alone, Ive been able to cut some of the worst time wasters out of my life (namely two addictive computer games and broadcast TV), but there are more subtle ones. I have to constantly evaluate how I am investing my time. With each activity, I must learn to ask, Why am I doing this? What is the eternal value in this? Could I spend my time more productively? How could I make this activity more effective?
One thing Ive had to evaluate lately is the time I spend walking. I have found that if I get up at 6:30 every weekday morning, I get overly tired and cranky. This is not good for my family life or time management. There are days when I need the extra hour of sleep. But I also need to walk regularly if I want to be a good steward of my health, since Im quite overweight and at high risk for heart disease and diabetes. I decided last week to commit to walking three mornings per week (Mon/Wed/Fri) for about 45 minutes, instead of five mornings for a half hour. (Longer workouts are supposed to be better aerobically anyway.)
This morning, I slipped out of the house at 6:45 with my cell phone in one jumper pocket (in case my family needed me) and my house key and a Gospel of John in the other. I thought about the benefits of my morning walk -- exercise and fresh air outside in Gods creation, a chance to fellowship with my friend Jane (on the mornings she joins me), time to listen to Christian music on my portable tape player, quiet moments to meditate on Scripture, opportunities to meet the neighbors, etc. I affirmed that this is definitely not a waste of time, within limits! But, just to redeem the time even more, I prayed for the people in the houses I passed, based on what I noticed in their yards. When saw political signs, would pray for a sense of Gods perfect justice in their lives. When I saw toys strewn here and there, I would pray for the parents to have wisdom in raising their children. You get the picture.
I actually pray about which route to go: left, right or straight. My feet seem to listen to the answer unconsciously. This morning, I walked near the home of my late mother-in-law, Ann. Providentially, a little old lady tottered out to get her paper. When I greeted her, she smiled so broadly that I decided to stop and chat. We small talked for several minutes about this and that. Her name is Mary, shes a widow, and she had met Ann and knew she had died of lung cancer last year. This gave me an open opportunity to share with her how Ann had found joy in discovering the mercy of God a few months before her death. We talked about the upcoming Passion movie, which she wants to see. I encouraged her to Read the Book! and not just watch the movie. I handed her the Gospel of John so she could do just that. She took it eagerly. She also got such a kick out of the fact that I have nine children. As she ambled up her walkway, she chuckled, This sure is a good way to start the day! Amen, Mary!
I thank God for exquisitely arranging the timing. As a visiting pastor, Larry Malament, preached in our church yesterday, God is sovereign in our witness to the gospel. He caused Mary and I be on the same sidewalk at the same time, one prepared to share, one prepared to listen. This didnt take a huge amount of inconvenience, intensive training or even extraordinary boldness on my part. It only took a desire to make the most of my life, even on an early morning walk. God even gave me the words to say. You could do this, too! Yes, you! What are you waiting for?
(And yes, Sheri Q., Mary bought her house from you!)
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And now, some (slightly edited) feedback from a Hope Chest reader!
Hi Virginia, I always look forward to your tidbits.... or novels 🙂 whenever they come through. First, know that you are in my prayers. Thank you for your encouragement through The Hope Chest! I wanted to share something with you that, well, I had a eureka about. I am not a very good writer. I will try to be brief.
Recently our homeschool group held an International Fair. Each family selected a country, we researched it, and presented our reports to one another at an intimate supper with International foods that we prepared (OR purchased from a restaurant that served it --- <guilty>). I was bound and determined that my children's (ages 14, 11, 9, and 6) reports be perfect! WHY??? I had something to prove! That I was a good teacher, that I was qualified to teach my kids at home, that I could teach, clean, research and put together a detailed report, fry it up in a pan, cuz I am homeschooling mom!! I was going to show my husband what a wonderful, perfect little wife and children he has. I didn't want to be his embarrassment! I think I painted the picture for you. Shame on me! When talking to another mom in our group, she too had something to prove -- again, to her husband who wavers on the brink of whether or not homeschooling is right for their family. Her children didn't quite "perform" to her expectations While my husband is very, very encouraging and supportive, it's in my mind to not disappoint him, or have him look bad in front of his peers -- like that Proverbs 31 woman, whose husband is known in the gates and she doesn't make him look bad. Okay, so did I learn something from this experience? Yes. I cannot live life through my kids. It's so unfair of me. I have to get out of the way, and let God do the rest.
God Bless you today.. and everyday
His Devoted Disciple,
Wanda
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Thanks for the wise words, Wanda! I love to hear from you all! Drop me a note at [email protected]
In His Sovereign Grace,
Virginia Knowles
http://www.thehopechest.netThe Hope Chest is a free email newsletter with encouragement and practical teaching tips. The writer is Virginia Knowles, wife of Thad, mother of nine children, and author of Common Sense Excellence: Faith-Filled Home Education for Preschool to 5th Grade, and The Real Life Home School Mom.
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