Welcome to the first day of my mini series on "Homeschooling Essentials" with The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew. Stop back daily for a chance to enter my giveaway for a new 16GB iPad Mini - see entry details at the bottom of this post!
As part of my series on Essential Attitudes in
Homeschooling, I would like to discuss what I feel is likely THE most important
starting point for a parent: Living A Life Surrendered to God.
Each morning as we start our new day, we need to take a few moments
and surrender ourselves wholly to God for that day. Each day is a fresh start. While
yesterday I may have been a nominee for the “Worst Mom of the Year” Award, today
is a clean slate. I can’t change yesterday, but I can certainly improve today.
Quiet time with the Lord each morning shows our sincerity to
Him, and our faith that “without Him we can do nothing”. It sets the tone for
our day, our attitude, and our spirit.
Since I spend the majority of the day with my children, one
of my biggest goals is to let God’s love flow through me to them, so that they
will get to know and love God. If they can do Algebra well, but don’t know the
love of God, then I have failed at what I set out to do. The only way that God
will be real to them is if He is real in my life, and they see me living that
out in front of them. The only way I can maintain a sweet spirit and Godly presence
in our home is if I start out each day surrendered to Him.
Surrendering the day to the Lord helps adjust my perspective on the
events that come at me throughout the day. If I have committed the day to God,
and something expensive breaks or something goes wrong, my first thoughts should not be
anger or frustration, but an acceptance that it is what God has for me that day, since I
gave Him control over everything in my life early that morning.
Surrendering our life to God each morning can be as simple
as a short prayer before we even hop out of bed. It is a prayer of giving over
the control and asking God to use us and work through us in the lives of our
children, family, and anyone who might cross our path that day. God will answer
that prayer. Amazing things will happen, and we can retire to our beds at night
with the satisfaction of knowing that we put a smile on God’s face that day. Having
a quiet time of devotions in the morning where we can commune with God through
prayer and reading His Word will broaden this prayer of surrender and certainly
strengthen our spirit to carry out God’s plans for the day.
A surrendered life is a happy life! Happy parents have happy
children. Happy parents and children together create a happy home. A happy home
is a very fun and successful place to have homeschool. That's what makes "A Surrendered Life" my number one homeschool essential!
Stop by and see what other homeschool moms are writing about, as they share what their homeschool essentials are!Ellen @ Grace Tells Another Story
Jenn @ Treasuring Life's Blessings
Christine @ Our Homeschool Reviews
Michelle @ Delightful Learning
Sharon @ Life With The Tribe
Hillary @ Our Homeschool Studio
Melanie @ FinchNWren
Brittney @ Mom's Heart
Heather @ Principled Academy
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What a great reminder! I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!
ReplyDeleteOh Erica, I found yours very encouraging as well! You were really able to go deep with this topic and explore not only what it means to us and to our families....but to God as well. I loved your final paragraph too.!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you as we embark on this hop!
Thank you for sharing your heart on this. I am constantly amazed at how His mercies are new every morning. Time with the Lord and in His Word is so crucial.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful essential to start with! Love the reminder that everyday is a new day and a new opportunity to surrender to God. Love the practical suggestions and that your series is focused on essential attitudes!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this great reminder!!
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