Reading my niece's blog (Renewed In Him) this morning, made me think. Her post was about her husband (my nephew) having his first Open House as a teacher. He is a wonderful teacher, he has a real heart for kids, especially at that difficult junior high age. Her post reminded me of all the great teachers I had, and then that lead to all the not great teachers I had.
This was a great reminder to me about how much influence teachers have on their students, for good and bad.
As a home educator, I have even greater influence on my children because I am also their mother. However, I believe that we all "teach" in someway, whether we educate our kids at home or not. We teach by our lives, and not just our children but anyone we have contact with.
If I want my children to be kind, patient, loving, generous, and helpful then I need to model that for them. They pick up not on our words only but on our attitudes. I can say "I love the Lord" all the day long, but if my actions don't show that, then my children will not believe my words.
If I want my children to love to learn new things, I must model that by loving to learn. If I want my children to love to read, I must read. If I want my children to be in the Word daily, than I must be in the Word daily. Do I want my children to serve others? I must serve others cheerfully.
As a co-op leader and teacher, I also have the opportunity to influence others. What am I influencing them toward? Kindness, to seek God, to care about others? Or "it's all about me" ? Do I want the other mom's to be encouragers? I must encourage them, and give them the vision for what they are doing.
What a challenge we have placed before us! God is so good to be our guide and strength as we go through our days. May we have always before us the reminder from Philippians that Christ "made Himself of no reputation, and took on the form of a servant and humbled Himself...."
My task is to model humility and to point to Christ in everything. God help me.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Happy Christmas Adam!
We had a lovely Christmas service yesterday at church. Then we took the girls home, we came home and I made Monte Christo sandwiches for l...
-
Friends, Kyle suffered a work accident on Wednesday, and lost most of his thumb, and the ring finger and pinky are gone. The pointer finge...
-
Today is Melissa's due date -she is in labor and she and Geoff were headed to the birthing center to have the baby! I know she will co...
5 comments:
so true! That is why we chose our life of Homeschooling as well. I believe their is no one that is going to put so much effort into teaching my children as I. Just as God taught us by Jesus and His Word. Example is the only way to live. No one learns by "do what I say and not what I do."
I am so proud of the mother you are. You have taught me many things. You are a great example for my grandchildren. I am so thankful to God for giving you to me as a wonderful daughter.
This is all very true.
I am home by the way. Long story, don't want to talk about it right now. Except to say that in your post you wrote, "If I want my children to be kind, patient, loving, generous, and helpful then I need to model that for them." This is so so important, because I can see that a 92 year old mother did not do this with her 63 year old son years ago. The consequences of not teaching a child can be seen years later. This is what I experienced this weekend. It makes me sick to think of this.
Your mom and dad did such a wondeful job with G. Lily. I have to rush right over to my mail and tell them.
What a great post Auntie Dee! I think it is so important to model these things! It reminds me of that quote, "Actions speak louder than words." Isnt this the absolute truth? Being the leaders of the next generation is a huge responsibility that God has placed before us and we must take hold of it and do the absolute best job that we can possibly do!
Mom,
Thank you so much. That means so much to me. I love you!
Miss Paula,
You are right - mom and dad did an amazing job caring and loving G.Lily until she went home to be with the Lord. I believe this is why she was at peace and that we have few regrets.
Alicia,
Everytime you respond in love to your students, or are cheerful, don't get angry etc...you are teaching them to trust you and to listen to you. Actions do speak louder than words.
Nicole,
I know that others could teach my kids to read, write etc...but no one can love my kids and want their best like we do. We have vision for raising our kids, and having someone else have the bulk of their day doesn't fit in to that!
Post a Comment