As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Thursday, April 30, 2015

Watching the Lord Lead





In this particular post in my Homeschooling: Finding Joy in the Journey series, I'd like to share a personal story. It is the story of this year, Bekah's 8th grade, and how I have seen God's hand in our little school. 

Of course, I always plan for our school year. Actually, I love to plan! Beginning in the spring (or even sooner) and making final decisions by summer, I read and consider and mull it over and peruse catalogs and discuss it all with Ron until I think that we have a direction for each child for the upcoming year. The most important thing I do is to pray for His guidance. I have done this every one of the twenty-four years that we have homeschooled, and I have found Him faithful to guide.

But after I have done everything that I know to do, He often surprises me by enriching my plans! 

* * *


Here is my story:

This year, Bekah is studying Ancient History. I knew that I would be using The Mystery of History Volume I, mostly because I love how the author follows history chronologically, from a Christian perspective, melding Biblical and secular history into one story (which it truly is).

And here are the things I did not plan:


Our Bible study group is studying the book of Ezekiel. 

We began this study in September and we're currently in Chapter 25. Yes, we work our way slowly and thoroughly through Scripture and we are all learning and gleaning so very much. Studying Ezekiel while learning the historical setting makes the story come alive.

We were able to see a performance of Moses at Sight & Sound Theater. 

When we visited the Rabes in October, they took us to the show! What a thrill to see the story that we read along with the sights and sounds of Ancient Egypt. Perfect field trip!

In January, Kati borrowed An Invitation to Awe from our local library. 

This is a two-CD musical collection by Michael Card, based on the writings of the Old Testament. (This is a remastered version of The Ancient Faith.) Kati put one of the discs in her car and I kept one in our van. In February, we purchased the collection as a gift for Kati. In March, she had to return the borrowed set to the library and I checked it out myself. In April, we purchased the set for ourselves.

Have we really been listening to the same 24 songs since the beginning of January? Absolutely! They are beautiful songs, rich with meaning, taken from Scripture. The words have worked their way into our hearts. From "In the Beginning" (Genesis) and "Lift Up the Suffering Symbol" (Numbers) to "Then They Will Know" (God's message through many of the prophets) and "Malachi," we hear and sing the message of the Old Testament Scriptures.

Bekah found the piano music to An Invitation to Awe.

One evening, she was looking through some old piano books and sheet music for something new to play when --lo and behold!-- she found two books with the accompaniment to many of the songs in the collection. She was so excited!

The amazing thing about this? We didn't even know we had them!

The books were published in 1989 and 1992 and are now out of print. Where ever they came from, they were purchased on sale for $1.00 each, but no one remembers buying them. All I know is that they are a gift for Bekah (and for us) right now. This year. She is playing these beautiful songs and we are listening and singing and meditating on their message. 

* * * 

Does God care about my little school? About the one student in my class? Does he arrange the details of our lives?

I believe that He does!

And Christian homeschooling mom, I believe that He cares about your school and your students too.

As you look ahead to the next school year, pray and make your plans...and then watch for the ways that He will lead! 

15 comments:

  1. It is always so amazing to me how God is interested in even the smallest part of our lives. I don't have children. I never homeschooled. But I see all kinds of things like this in my on life. God is awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a wonderful testament to God's faithfulness and His concern over every detail of our lives.
    What a mighty God we serve! Blessings, Sharon D.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good morning! Loved reading this. Our God is soo faithful to every little detail of our lives that it is truly amazing and awe inspiring. I enjoyed so hearing how He worked in Bekah's this year. Enjoy the rest of your week!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I actually wrote something similar years ago. One of the beauties of homeschooling is seeing how God works alongside us --or leads the way-- with the small and big details. I always thought of Him as my "team teacher."

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well, I have never homeschooled my children but there was a time when I considered it. I applaud anyone who has or is doing this! I absolutely agree that God most definitely cares about your little school of one...and He is showing it by blessing you with all of these extra "goodies".

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful. It's great to discover and acknowledge the tender love of our Father!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Our Father cares for every detail in our lives. I love how you share your experiences, Cheryl. There is always a common thread of blessings and faith in your writings. Thank you for always reminding me of God's love and grace. He does care for your little school! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful documenting of the specifics that made up this homeschooling year's blessings. Yes, I do believe that He cares about every little detail of our lives. Loved the sheet music story!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Really beautiful! It is so encouraging to read of the faithfulness of God to His children!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I actually have tears in my eyes reading this! This is what I long to communicate to newer homeschooling Moms! God does fill in and add to our learning! He cares about even this!

    I'm off to see if I can find a place to listen to this cd online. I love Michael Card's music. Rich, deep and meaningful.

    Deanna

    ReplyDelete
  11. I can't say for sure, but the piano books were probably mine. I know I had at least one Michael Card accompaniment book. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love this story and what a witness to how God leads us!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. As a former homeschooler in the 80s and 90s, I particularly loved reading this. God is faithful. He definitely cares about the detail in our lives and I loved reading your story. What fun to come across that music which you hadn't realized that you had! (What a weird sentence! At first I wrote it without 'which' and 'that,' but thought maybe technically they're supposed to be there. Good grief. No wonder people have trouble learning English!)

    ReplyDelete
  14. If you only knew how much I am blessed by this post! just as I was the last visit, smiling and nodding in agreement with all that was being written, isn't it wonderful the way God continues to demonstrate His love for us, His children, in our daily lives, just as I am smiling, I can only image the big, grin He is giving as He reads of how you give glory and honor to His name!
    I must now check out, An Invitation To Awe! Thanks for sharing.
    Have a great weekend!
    Blessings,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...