We're in a good routine...Bible, school work, tidy the house, free time. During our free time we engage in our individual hobbies, visit friends, and maybe go to the movies or shopping or whatever else we can think of. We're active in church and we serve as opportunities present themselves. Yup, we're in a good routine...a little too good. It's a little "in the box" with "no risk included." It feels a little selfish too.
Too much of our energies are school and taking care of the house. I am not saying that's a bad thing necessarily. But I am just feeling like we're spending too much time and energy on our own kingdom. Not only that, our education is so bookish that we haven't had time to expand our mental and spiritual horizons. It looks great "on paper" but it's so not why I homeschool and it's starting to kills us.
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
Two conversations convicted me of these things this past week. One was a teen (can't say "child" anymore ;) ) saying, "We're reading that book of the Bible? I already know that one!" That is a big signal that we're learning the Bible but not practicing it's truths. It has ceased being vital because we are not being vital. That innocent comment brought me right back to Bible college when the Bible became a text book and I became as dry as a crunchy brown leaf in fall.
The other comment that woke me up was a teen saying, "Is the church doing (insert event based outreach here) this year? What? Not 'til (insert future date here and frustrated facial expression)?" I know, that doesn't sound bad...the kid wants to serve. But it made me realize that I don't ever want my kids to think they have to wait for something the church is doing in order to serve God.
I've got two months left of our school year. It's an important time for us as a family too, since Tyler is graduating High School and we are savoring having him with us full time. So, it's all got me thinking.
I am going to take next week and see if I can condense our bookwork. I'll see what is really necessary and where I can eek out extra time. I am going to brainstorm with the kids about ministry opportunities/helping opportunities and what we can do and where. Then we're going to make our plans to loosen up our school schedule so we can spend that time out in the community helping and serving and ministering.
I don't know what that looks like yet. But we're going to pray and ask and try to figure it out. I may be onto something good for us! I sure do hope so!!
"If anyone,then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them." James 4:17
Sounds like a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margery!
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