Priorities

Because we home school, we belong to a "co-op" of other families who meet together twice a month. Just the moms and the kids (Ok, well, there is ONE dad)- and we meet during the day. We call it "school" even though it's a far cry from what "real" school is actually like, but it's as close as the kids will ever get to the real thing.

I like co-op because there are yummy snacks for the moms and for those 3 hours (2 times a month) I have a break from Mom duty while my kids are in their classrooms (and my baby is in the nursery screaming his head off... but I'm upstairs eating snacks, remember, so I'm blissfully 'unaware.")

Each co-op meeting the Moms get a newsletter telling us all sorts of little tidbits of upcoming information. Additionally, each time, 3 different families are "featured" and we can read a tidbit (or paragraph- whichever the mom submitted to the editor) about a family in our co op. Honestly, they are a bit of a snoozer to read. I read my 2 best friends features, and that's about it. I say "snoozer" only because, really, does anyone care how many activities your 8 year old is in, and what your favorite curriculum is? Maybe- but probably not. But one week, I peeked down (after reading 1 of the 2 said best friends profile) and noticed another Mom's entry. I'll call her "Ingrid." (because that's her name)

The reason I happened to notice Ingrid's entry was because it was so short. The other reason I decided to read it is because I like Ingrid. Ingrid was in my prayer group last year. If there's a woman who knows how to pray, it's Ingrid. She's tight with the Holy Spirit- of that there is no doubt.

I cannot quote exactly what she wrote, but to paraphrase, she very succinctly wrote that at one time, years ago, she was very diligent to ensure that all her lesson plans were meticulously followed  and that her days were filled with following rigid schedules but that those days are long gone. Now, she spends her days teaching her sons about God and about life through a Biblical worldview, and if they learn something academic, that it's an added bonus.

I read it, smiled and thought, "Yep. That's Ingrid."

And then I thought, "I want that to be me."

More than once scripture reminds is that our life (on earth) is short. Several scriptures reveal this truth.

"You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath." -Psalm 39:5

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." - James 4:14"

Does this mean, then, that I find no importance in teaching academics? Reading, writing, arithmetic? Of course not. But Ingrid's thoughts reminded me to evaluate my priorities.
Life changes, the unexpected happens, dynamics are ever changing. So, as one Bible commentator puts it, "Who can build any solid hopes on a mist?"

In the light of eternity, there is, truly, only one thing that matters- our response, and our relationship, with Jesus Christ. And so, from my perspective- Ingrid's got it right on.

I will continue to teach my children strong academics. But I will strive to ensure that what comes first in my priorities, is teaching them about our Creator, Our Heavenly Father- our Omnipotent Savior.

Inside the beautiful chapter of Deuteronomy 11, we are told to...


"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth."

I owe everything to Him. And I want, more than anything, to give back my first fruits... of my minutes, my days... my whole life. To invest in and plant the seeds that will bear fruit in the lives of my children and my children's children for HIS name sake.