Who is Teaching?

In between birthday musings, birthday reflections, and birthday preparations, I am also thinking about our upcoming school year.

Kristin's family has already begun their homeschool year. She shared their plans last week on her blog, and invited others to share their ideas. I am not quite ready to share as I am still putting the finishing touches on our plans.

In the meantime, however, I came across this poem in Mountain Breezes that renews my perspective.

TEACH THE CHILDREN
Amy Carmichael

The children, Lord, the children—
Our thronging prayers find word
In one deep heart petition:
Do Thou for them, O Lord;
Do Thou for them and teach them
To use their Shield and Sword;
They gallant lovers, make them,
Do Thou for them, O Lord,

That disciplined and fearless,
They fight the fight and win,
Do Thou for them, we pray Thee,
O Spirit of Discipline.
With heavenly power endue them;
With heavenly love fulfill.
Perform in them Thy pleasure;
Teach them to do Thy will.

I passionately believe that I am responsible for teaching my children. I believe that the Bible instructs us to do so. Deuteronomy 6:6, 7 says "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Psalm 145:4 declares, "One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts." And the proverbs are full of instructions to parents to impart wisdom to our children.

But if I teach my children everything I know and lead them to learn all the things I don't know, if they succeed academically, if they memorize Scripture and know all the "right things"...but have not been taught by the Lord Himself, then the knowledge that they have acquired is not enough. To be taught of the Lord is to be moved, to be changed, in the deepest place in the heart. It is an eternal difference...and the only one that counts.

So as I prepare to teach another homeschool year, I pray the words of this poem, "Prepare in them [and in me] Thy pleasure; teach them [and me] to do Thy will."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD;

and great shall be the peace of thy children.

Isaiah 54:13