My Pearls

Pearls
My pearls of homeschooling have been what I have learned and how I have grown because of my kids. Although I treasure them, they have been earned at a great price.

Sometimes homeschooling can be a difficult refinement process, much like that of an oyster producing a pearl. As the nitty-gritty sand gets into the shell , it begins to irritate the oyster, who responds by producing a smooth substance to cover up the irritant. What emerges is a perfect pearl. Only God could arrange such a scenario.

What are some of His pearls? For me, they have been:

P - Homeschooling has taught me PATIENCE which has led to peace. It required a surrender on my part to cease my striving to control and orchestrate everything and to let God's will unfold in my life.

E - Mothering small children and homeschooling has increased my ENDURANCE. Someone once said that parenting is not a sprint race - it's a marathon. If we want to reach the end, we need to learn to pace ourselves and increase our endurance.

A - God has worked on my ATTITUDE and has let me know that he accepts my imperfect work as a homeschooling mother - even when I fail, I lose it, and I scream. Just as my children continually forgive me for being less than perfect, God accepts me in my weakness. That acceptance I can then extend to those around me.

R - God has shepherded me through the rough spots of homeschooling - the discipline problems, the learning challenges. RELYING on His strength, we have weathered much and He has continually restored us to health and harmony.

L - God has shown me His LASTING LOVE, which is the perfect model for me as I love my children.

S - Finally, He has given me great SATISFACTION at being a servant. I never knew true happiness until I figured out somewhere deep in my heart that my only true satisfaction would be found in serving my Lord Jesus Christ and in serving my family. No other calling has brought such satisfaction.

Where my pearls handed to me in a fancy box? No! They were hatched out of the sand and irritation of a nasty old oyster shell. Would I trade them? Not in a million years!