{This week’s Spotlight on the Crew article is brought to you from Jasmine, at Ponder the Path.
When I was growing up, I can remember always working on some type of project. Our family was very poor, so learning to make things helped make up for the things we couldn’t afford to buy. I look back at this now as a great blessing
In our consumer age, working with our hands is not always valued. New is always better and it better be name brand to have any real value. However, if we take a look at the Word of God, we see that the Lord values those who work willingly with their hands. He even sets them as the example for us to follow.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. –Proverbs 31:31
If it is our desire that our children follow the examples set forth in Scripture, we must work to train them in this area. There are several things we can do to aid this training.
Provide Opportunities for Learning
When my oldest daughter was younger, she was bent on learning to knit. I didn’t know how to knit, but I knew I needed to teach her. I bought a “Learning to Knit” kit and slowly read through the directions, teaching her as I learned. It took time and patience, but little by little we learned the basics. Thankfully an older lady at church took her under her wing and helped her learn more advanced knitting.
Don’t be afraid to learn new skills yourself. You may not become proficient at the skill, but it may be the encouragement your children need to learn it themselves. Other options may be finding classes or bartering services with another mom. In our family, my daughter has tried to help other young girls with knitting whenever the opportunity arises. If you know of others who possess skills, don’t be afraid to ask for help in learning from them.
Provide Supplies for Learning
As an older mom, I look back at my younger days of child training and laugh at myself. I remember buying crafting supplies and keeping them put away because I didn’t want them “messed” up. I was so afraid they would use too many stickers or mix the colors of paint, that we often missed out on the real joy of learning. Don’t be afraid to let them be creative and use the supplies in ways that may not make sense to us. It is fine to teach them to take care of the supplies and be good stewards of them, but don’t let it overshadow the fun in crafting.
Another thing I have learned over the years is to let them use the good stuff. Even young girls can tell the difference between a scratchy acrylic yarn and fuzzy soft wool. If all they see is mom using the good stuff and all they get are the leftovers, it tells them that their crafting is not all that important. We want to send our children the message that what they make matters and is significant. This doesn’t mean we have to spend an enormous amount of money on crafting supplies, but we should try to find ways to bless the work of their hands. Birthdays are a great time to buy them a nice pair of needles or a set of paints.
Provide Time for Learning
During our school day, I try to make sure the kids have time to work on projects. Sometimes the girls will pull out their knitting as I read or work on paintings as I get the younger boys down for their naps. In order to learn a skill proficiently, it takes practice. Just a little practice each day will yield great rewards in the future.
Also, make sure that you are providing your own time to help with the crafting. For some of you, crafting may not come naturally. That’s OK. Children don’t need Martha Stewart as a mother; they just need a mom who is willing to invest her time in her children.
Provide a Reason for Learning
The best way to teach children the importance of learning a craft is to have them make items that are useful, then use the items that they make. Sure, the scarf may be eight feet long or the wall hanging made with five different southwestern prints, but pull it out and use it. It is just precious to wash dishes with a dishcloth that was made by my daughter!
Another way we can show the importance of learning crafts is to develop a “make instead of buy” attitude. Whenever someone has a birthday or when Christmas comes around, we all look for ways to make gifts. These gifts aren’t always the newest trend item, or the most expensive item, but they are made from the heart with love. I am a quilter myself, and any time I make a quilt for someone, I think about and pray for that person as I am sewing.
This leads to the last reason to learning a craft…to bless others. If the Lord has blessed us by allowing us to work with our hands, we should use that gift as a means to bless others. There are many ways to bless others—small quilts for new babies, prayer shawls for those going through chemo, or even a painting for the elderly widow. I would suggest praying and asking the Lord to show you who needs to be blessed.
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. –Psalm 102:25
God is creative God and we are made in His image. May we seek to emulate His creativeness and teach our children to do the same!
Jasmine is a Christian, an Air Force wife, and homeschooling mother to six blessings. In her not so spare time, she loves to quilt, make soap, and learn more about herbs. You can find her at Ponder the Path where she shares tutorials, recipes, and her love of home.