To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:1-3
This has been the reflection of my heart over the last week, and I think it’s an appropriate time to think about it for those of us who are preparing our hearts, minds, and purse strings for the next academic year right about now. Where do we get in our own way?
The kids and I are wrapping up Traitor: The Case of Benedict Arnold this week. From their perspective, the front of the book started out decently, the middle was slow, and now we’re at the good part. I have been fascinated with this portrayal of Benedict Arnold. I always gathered from the little I’ve seen in textbooks that he was some clod in the midst of a genius like George Washington. Then again, I could write volumes on how history was covered when I was in school. Getting back to Benedict Arnold, what strikes me is that he was actually a brilliant military strategist and a savvy businessman. Also, his earliest experiences with failure and rejection (being ridiculed as the son of the town drunk) led him to an almost obsession with being successful in the eyes of others. This obsession, unfortunately, was also the source of his destruction: he was driven toward power and money, and even at the height of his undoing, couldn’t see that he had done anything other than get an early jump on what had to be the logical ending of the Revolution (i.e., America’s losing and return to British control). His lust for fame and fortune got in the way of what could have been a brilliant US military career, as well as a very different place in history.
My blogging friend Kysha also wrote a great article for the new Heart of Wisdom e-zine regarding how our own attitudes affect our children’s approach to learning. I loved her honesty as she talked about previously dreading history, and how it impacted the children’s attitudes (“Mom, will I have a headache?” sounds so much like our four-year-old when she doesn’t want to do something). What I read in her article was the humility to admit that, like all of us from time to time, her own attitude got in her way.
We are in the midst of a huge project at church, beginning with the education of our members, young and old, in faith building. My husband and I have a responsibility to the church’s children’s ministry, and we’ve worked very hard with the Children’s Pastor to get our volunteer group excited about sharing, teaching, and creating with the kids. There are other groups involved in different areas of the project, as well as overall chairpersons. It should be, and I believe God that it will be, a fruitful campaign. But, there are places where we as a group of leaders get in our own way. Pride is such a clever demon. It keeps us from admitting where we’ve made mistakes. It makes us agree in meetings and then disagree when we try to disseminate what we supposedly agreed upon. It keeps us from walking in love when we feel we’ve been wronged. Then there’s personal agenda, another form of pride. Proverbs 16 goes on to say that pride comes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. This is what I pray against. In the last few weeks amongst the body of Christ, I’ve been frustrated, disappointed, and at times a little agitated, and I’m sure others have felt the same when they think of me. There’s been nothing to do but to breathe slowly, bite down hard on my tongue, pray to God to move before me, with me, and every now and then, in spite of me. When it comes to being with God and being obedient to His call, I don’t want to get in my own way.
I’ve one last thought. Recently I joined a couple of e-mail loops that cater to home-schooled, college-bound kids. At this time of year, everyone is sharing their children’s decisions for college choices, including test scores, acceptances, rejections, available aid, etc. It can be exciting, but also intimidating. When I went to college, the process seemed so simple. Now on the other side of the fence, I’m reading notes about interviews, SAT I’s and II’s, ACT/AP/CLEP/CC/ABCDEFG (Acronym Overload, I believe it’s called). Why be intimidated? Because of my own fears of failure and inadequacy. Again, this is a place to breathe slowly, bite down, and pray hard. I will not shortchange God and what he can do in our kids if I stay the course. I will also not shortchange myself; God is no respecter of persons—if someone else’s child can get a merit scholarship to a top-notch school, why can’t mine? So, as I’m preparing for school for next year, I’ve begun to think about how a change in me could impact our school year. How might our days change if I got me in order—spiritually, emotionally, etc.? When I think about it, we have great days almost every day. But more and more, I’m determined to be less and less in my own way. God bless.
That's a big one! We actually discussed that subject a bit at Bible study this morning while studying the story in Luke about the "bad woman" who wiped Jesus' feet with her hair. All sorts of lessons in that story about pride, our attitudes/assumptions about others and just simply loving God completely in small ways each day.
I thoroughly enjoy your blog and the ability you have to put your thoughts down so eloquently. Thank you for sharing your life and thoughts.
Janet
Hey Girl!
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I appreciate it.
I know what you mean about getting in my own way. The Holy Spirit has really been walking me through the process of letting Him work out our homeschool in my heart and mind. Since I have some control issues, letting go of my way has proved to be very productive. Reading the scripture you posted has reminded me to continue the letting go process (yes, I put my hands back in it) :o)
So, so good! Right on Belinda. Certainly speaks right to the heart. Thank you!
I hope the Unplugged Projects give you some ideas on what to do with your kiddos. I hear you on the tv, video games and the like…..sometimes I want to break them all. I wonder why we have them in the first place. 🙂
My template….I got it here, you can take other people's templates that they no longer use — and for FREE! :
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/RecycledTemplates/
Have a super Thursday……
Thank you for this post. It gives me a great deal to reflect on. You're right. It should be all about priorities and faith.
Also, thanks for commenting. I worry that 4 days is not enough. But, it's all I can do right now. So, this is where God's grace must come in and my pride must step aside.
I missed you! Your children are gorgeous! I love all your pictures!
Bless you!
Oh How I love reading your "deep" thoughts.
When I was in New Hampshire (what seems like a million years ago) The guy from Harvard came out to discuss the "Need" for High School Diplomas. Most Homeschoolers at that time were greatly concerned about that parchment. He told us, all Freshmen applying for entrance at the time of application have not graduated. They are chosen before the graduate. They made them feel better. Than he talked about what mattered! That revolved around community service, making a difference and individual accomplishments. It did not surround GPA's and perfection as most seem to think. As for the "Tests" there are practice books that work well and you can let them become familiar with NOW. It is the fear that causes failure and familiarity will remove that fear. Apprenticeships also make a big impact. Working toward what they want to become, a willingness to work hard these things seem to grab their attention.
The most important thing to remember is the LORD will set them where He desires them to be for He knows what is best for them and it may NOT be the IVY league school we desire.
He is faithful, we just need to trust that what Jesus has called us to do is exactly what the Lord had in mind for the stages of their lives they will face.
Because of Jesus, Bobbie
Funny how that works, sometimes I am my worst enemy. I have to catch myself from bad habits … the worst of which is to criticize my kids. I forget to have patience with them as I would any other person. I'm getting better at biting my tongue so thanks for the reminder that it is by His grace that we go forward.
Another great post!
I so need to get out of my way! This is something that has been on my mind a lot lately. Why is it so hard to change even when we know what we need to change? I know i'm not gonna have peace until i do it. (kicking myself)
Thanks for writing this and sharing your heart.
Have a great weekend.
tracy
btw, i love the pic of your kids on top. They are a good-looking group.
I admit to being out of the loop with you lately, as my reading blog time has been cut again. The computer is such a temptation for me to lay all else aside, so I have to be ridiculously careful 🙁
However, I have been thinking and wondering about how you are doing! I am in the place of really praying and wondering what all I am *supposed* to be doing for homeschooling and such. Do we ever arrive at a place where confidence is complete? Methinks no, but there is always hope. 🙂
The pride issue is a large part of just about everyone I know, especially that gal in the mirror 😉 Here, just for kicks, is a great article that I think you'd enjoy reading:
http://www.reviveourhearts.com/topics/downloads/index.php?id=9496
God bless you my friend, most heartedly!
Keri
Thanks, Belinda, for another thought-provoking post. I, too, seem to always get in my own way – good intentions and all. I can relate to what you've said. I just read Julie's post titled "how to kill a flower". Check it out: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mijubrifarms/511144/. What freedom when you look at it this way. ~K
So very true. How often do I get in my own way even though it may be with good inentions. I so desperately want to see my children do well that at times I am afraid I am actually the one holding them back.
Cari