Getting from Here to There

My family and friends say I have credentials, and young mothers at my church want to tap into my experience. They say they value my opinion because I’ve “earned my stripes.”

I am a momma to many, and this year I began my 26th year of homeschooling. My oldest child is long married and the mother of three. My youngest is 9 years old. Although the statistics would imply I should know what I’m doing, I seldom feel like I do.

I have often been asked, “How do you do it?” “What’s your plan?” or the dreaded, “What curriculum do you use?”, followed by “How do I get from here to there?”

 

Photo credit to Israel Koshiol

Honestly, my answers vary according to the day, or how my week’s been. Not necessarily because the sun is shining and it’s a beautiful day, but possibly because it rained for two weeks prior to the asking and we’ve been cooped up in the house, losing hope that we’d ever see the sun again! My answer might be influenced by the fact that there always seems to be someone that just hit puberty, leading to at least one emotional melt down daily, and then that might be an exaggeration because this might be the ninth child o’ mine to go through puberty! Then, there’s the week the toddler ate the teens brand-new earrings, accidentally broke the leg off of big brother’s G. I. Joe the day before, and was up for hours through the night, for s e v e r a l nights in a row, because of teething. We’ve homeschooled through pregnancies, mine and older married siblings; and the excitement of a new baby in the house. The age of no computers, and then amazingly stressful computer and printer issues. We’ve schooled with a plan, without a plan, and with the resemblance of a plan that changed course because of a move, lack of funds, illness, distracted focus; or a poorly fit curriculum. Ask me “How?” on a day following weeks of work by a blessed but preoccupied spouse and my answer will be different than after his weeks of little to no work, leaving him grumbly and prowling around my classroom perimeter every other hour.

I’ve had to learn and adjust to audio learners, visual learners, and “touchy” learners. I recognize that some work better early in the day and there are those that are much more pliable and receptive after lunch. I try to teach my children according to their individual bent, but the truth is that my bent and each of theirs sometimes trip over one another. We all affect each other. Our changing circumstances, and the daily dynamic, the general needs and wants, of a big family affect us. There is a constant ebb and flow of life, and although I try to use it as an effective teaching tool, even while we’re living it; I don’t always succeed.

I am grateful for Biblical scripture that has carried me from there to here.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own.

There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.”

Matthew 6:34 (GNT)

In other words — One day’s trouble and hardship is enough for one day. God’s got our today, and our tomorrows, enabling us to live one day at a time.

Then, there’s good music, anytime of year, that reminds me to Put One Foot in Front of the Other and encourages that by doing so I’ll get there.

“Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you’ll be walking cross the floor
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you’ll be walking out the door

You never will get where you’re going
If you never get up on your feet
Come on, there’s a good tail wind blowing
A fast walking man is hard to beat

Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you’ll be walking cross the floor
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you’ll be walking out the door

If you want to change your direction
If your time of life is at hand
Well don’t be the rule be the exception
A good way to start is to stand. . .”

(from Santa Claus is Coming to Town)

Whereas, some people are motivated by the I Think I Can choo choo, in the back of their mind, this song moves me, one step at a time, every time.

I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all formula, not for homeschooling and certainly not for life; but don’t be discouraged; if I can get from there to here, and from here to there, you can too!

So, here’s today’s answer:

Pray. Stop and Listen. Read some. Ask a few questions. Observe a little, and as you watch, learn. Share the burden. Eat or Fast. Laugh and Cry. Breathe — deep, cleansing, restoring breaths. Relax. Trust Him and trust yourself. Rinse and Repeat.

May the peace of The Lord be with you, always.

Penny believes that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life; and that no one comes to the Father God, except through Him, the Son. His grace is sufficient. She is the wife of a devoted husband, Momma to many; and Nana to seven. Her children include homeschool graduates, and those presently home educated, from college bound through elementary ages. She counts her blessings, daily. You’ll find her blogging at Knee Deep In Grace.