Worth the Dedication of Years

This is a snippit from Diana Waring, inspired while touring a castle in Toronto. She writes:

>> This spectacular building had equally spectacular furnishings, the work of many master craftsmen who had labored long and lovingly over wood or stone or canvas. In a later blog, I wrote:

". . . as I considered the rare beauty of the handcrafted piece before me, the Lord gave me a precious insight--this was a marvelous depiction of what homeschooling is all about! Our children are NOT taught in a factory-type environment when we homeschool. Neither are we looking for "instant" results. Instead, we have taken the stand that this child and that child are worth the dedication of years of our lives. We have committed ourselves to patiently handcrafting their education and their character training. We carefully seek to discover the giftings, talents and passions of our precious and unique children. We prayerfully consider the right path to take with each one. Just as the master craftsman works with the individual strengths and weaknesses of a piece of wood that he is fashioning, so we work with the individual strengths and weaknesses of each of our children, lovingly building them up as we recognize and work with their uniqueness." <<

A well-stated mission statement for home-educating!

Getting through the rough spots

Sometimes when I'm homeschooling, I get frustrated because I want to stick to "the list" and get the tasks done—and not have to deal with diversions (interruptions, attitudes, etc.).

Here's what Deborah Wuehler, senior editor of The Homeschool Minute, has to say...

"Instead of looking at everyday life issues and attitudes as obstacles to doing what we want to do, we need to look at the obstacles as part of the life God intended for us to live, and teach around those. It's how we live that life that brings glory to the One Who designed it."

What great insight!  The obstacles are part of the life God intends for us to live!  To break it down further... a "successful life" isn't getting through the "task list"—but how we live out life, obstacles and all!

Another old paradigm bites the dust. :)

You can do it, Mom!

I read this li'l bit of encouragement this morning, written by a homeschooling mom regarding teaching handwriting:

"Keep persevering. He (or she) will need those skills. Sometimes the best weapons in a homeschool mom’s arsenal are a thick skin and a persistent attitude!"
-Gretchen Roe

Yes!  I needed to remember that!!! :)  This golden nugget can be applied to any area of homeschooling or parenting!