Thirty-five years ago, after consulting with friends, and much prayer, I began a home school adventure with my three children.
Having graduated with a degree in elementary education, the idea struck me as strange and riddled with potential problems. I faced each one and with God’s help, made plans to diminish the negatives and build on the positive aspects of focusing learning on individual needs and strengths.
One of my sisters applauded my courage to start by sending me a red, wooden apple that remained in our “school room” and even now sits on my bookshelves as a reminder of God’s blessings.
We spent seven challenging and wonderful years together figuring out how to make learning an adventure that would last a lifetime.
At the end of each year, my husband and I talked with each of our kids about where they wanted their next year’s education to be. By the time they entered college, they had each experienced home school, private school and public school, all graduating with bachelor degrees in fields that fit their passions.
Ephesians 3:20-21 describes my gratitude for God’s grace:
“God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.”
(The Message)
And now these many years later, I have the great joy of spending time daily with one of my grandchildren as we build up her reading speed to match her great comprehension skills.
I’m praying she’ll fall in love with letters and words and books. So we engage her passion for art and her sense of humor as we dive into a book given to me years ago by a couple precious friends.
They purchased the set for the name alone: Clarice Bean Spells Trouble and Utterly Me, Clarice Bean by Lauren Child.
Perhaps it’s hard to see how this precious child and these hours together could bring me so much joy and sense of purpose “beyond my wildest dreams.”
But after having spent nine months of privilege caring for my best friend, my Mom, the Lord knew I’d have a big emptiness to fill.
And surfacing again, that little red, wooden apple was "more than I could ever imagine.”
I pray the Lord will give you joy and purpose beyond your imagination during this challenging, tumultuous season of life.
Sitting Still
May I encourage you to sit with Jesus remembering a past joy or picturing a future experience and know that “God can do anything”?
Thank you for journeying with me as we seek to keep our ears and hearts open to the surprises our loving God might bring.