Life Nurturing Education

Preparing to write another post in my series on mathematics, words neatly underlined in pencil arrested my thoughts. These words meant enough for me to highlight years ago, but they have more application today in the midst of my unofficial practicum.

A teacher must teach a subject from his own understanding of that subject. This premise is true in both the home and the school. The most deadening way to ‘teach’ is to hand a textbook or workbook to a student with instructions to sit down and do a certain lesson or certain number of pages per day. This method impedes both the imparting of a love of the subject, and the wonderful fellowship of teacher and student together learning the works of God.

Doesn’t that address the purpose of education? I want my children to have a love for the subject, not as an end in itself, or as a checklist of facts, but as a means of relationship with God and others. The relationship inspires. The time spent seeking, wondering, finding, and creating brings a smile, a memory of discussion, and a realization of the discovery. What young child doesn’t want to share what she knows? Think of the first time she sorts the blocks by color, or writes her name. She excitedly calls you close for praise. Her heart’s whisper is almost audible, “Mommy, I am learning to speak your language. Are you proud of me? Do you love me?”

Now it is my turn. I learn the language of subjects I may not particularly enjoy or understand to teach my children. An unashamed quest for applause no longer applies, but I do have a valuable audience though small in number and size. James Kilkenny advises:

The teacher who is deficient in a subject that he must teach has an opportunity to demonstrate love of learning and self-education. He can no more impart the knowledge of some learned textbook writer than David could slay Goliath with Saul’s armor. Each teacher must use his own sling and five smooth stones, his own knowledge, ability to learn and to ‘lead in advance of others.’

It is impossible to become a master teacher in every subject. However, I can learn the principles of each one and give my children a foundation to build on for the rest of their lives.

Using the stones from my soul, I draw my little ones close. Which stones are the most effective, the most powerful? I don’t know exactly, but I suspect it’s the brightest, smoothest, and heaviest. In my worn leather bag that stone is love: love for my children and love for the creation of God. It is the foundation stone. Everything else will build on that.

Quotes are found in A Guide to American Christian Education.

Bloggy Giveaways Carnival: Winter ‘08 Edition is happening this week! I am joining the fun by giving you the opportunity to win my favorite movie, Amazing Grace.

For your chance to win a like-new, widescreen version of this inspirational DVD, please leave a comment. Comments will be open until Saturday, February 2 at 12:00 pm EST. The winner will be randomly selected on February 3rd and contacted via email. Best wishes!

Due to postage prices this contest is only open to readers in the United States. Thank you!

The past two days I’ve felt like chanting, “Roll over, roll over.” Four miserable, sick individuals are sprawled on every square inch of my bed. I’ve reminded my precious children that they each have their own bed, but something about cuddling close to mom makes them feel better.

My husband insisted on purchasing a queen size bed when our oldest was a baby. I’m glad he did, but now I’m thinking a California king size might be better, other than the fact that such enormous bed wouldn’t fit in the bedroom. When we are all sick though, who cares? We can set up the bed in the living room and dull the pain with endless videos and books on tape.

There is hope. Sunshine feels better and decided to dust for me. It’s too bad she can’t do laundry yet.

Rain tagged me to write five wishes for things I want, but don’t need and five wishes of a spiritual nature. I think I can do this one properly, but we shall see.

The first thing that comes into my mind about wishes is a Mother Goose poem:

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. If turnips were watches, I would wear one by my side. And if ‘ifs’ and ‘ands’ were pots and pans, there’d be no work for tinkers!

My second inclination is to crack open Webster’s 1828 Dictionary to discover the etymology of the word wish. Thirdly, what does the Bible concordance say? I know, this is supposed to be just for fun, but I’m a nerd. This is fun for me. However, I refrain from my usual research, so I can complete this task before “the clock strikes one.” Hickory Dickory Dock.

For more glimpses into my homeschool-mother mind, here is my wish list:

1. Mac laptop
2. Alaskan cruise
3. Garage converted into a pottery studio
4. New stain-proof, hole-proof furniture
5. The clever, little hen from another Mother Goose rhyme (You’ll want this hen, too.)

My spiritual wishes are scratched in my journal on a page entitled, “Words for Now.”

1. Discipline- Control my appetites
2. Consistency- Holiness
3. Focus- On the heart
4. Effort- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
5. Action- “Do not become weary in well doing.” Galatians 6:9

So I will not be alone like little Joan, I am tagging some neighbors to join the jumping.

1. Mandi just returned to blogging after moving into a shoe travel trailer.
2. Crunchy Mama tagged me last year. She is better about playing than I am.
3. Homestead Mama is traveling around Mexico, but maybe she will have time to dream.
4. Miiko might like to try 24 Blackbird Pie next, since Shepherd’s Pie made her laugh.
5. Life on the Planet has an informal survey for homeschoolers. I confess. I’m nuts. If you don’t believe me, just read this post.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines arithmetic:

The science of numbers, or the art of computation. The various operations of arithmetic are performed by addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

These operations are necessary to care for property. Every week, I gather payments from various labor, add them up, and write a bank deposit. Then I get the privilege of dividing the money between the bills. By the grace of God, I don’t usually deal with negative numbers, and because my husband and I have done the math, we know our limits and set our goals.

It is easy to see that finances deal with numbers, but math is important for more than balancing the checkbook. In A Guide to American Christian Education, James Kilkenny writes,

None of the vast varieties of the work of the world, either in planning, doing, or evaluating, could be done without arithmetic. It is an essential tool of dominion.

The very stuff of existence requires a knowledge of math. We need food, shelter, and clothing to survive. How can we get and keep those things without adding or subtracting, planning or evaluating? Our goals and dreams hinge upon the hard work of doing. Even the hours and minutes of life are counted “that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

Teaching our children arithmetic is imperative for without it they will be dependent upon someone to care for them and their property. However, equipping children with the “tool of dominion” grows good stewards prepared to live in freedom caring for the many blessings God bestows.

Reason 1- Exactly, Reason 3- Justice

My weary mind reminds me of the cold days yet to come and distracts me from my list of chores. It is easier to do nothing than face the dishevelled garage, or the pile of mending. I feel like the goldfinches desperately eating to stay warm, but some grains I ponder do not satisfy. As birds flit about consuming seeds, I wonder what will warm my soul on this bleak day?

Through my freezing thoughts, a promise is remembered.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Yes, I am weak. Why do I try so hard do deny it? I want to be capable and confident, polished and perfect, sensible and strong. Through my numbed stupor, I pray. Can melancholy be replaced with joy? I may never become the woman I long to be, but I cannot, will not, quit trying.

Then again, gently, I hear,

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Power in weakness. Perfect sufficiency. Strength in grace. It all seems so backwards, yet these seeds do nourish my famished soul. Christ is my sufficiency. His grace is enough. Weakness is my testimony to the glory of God. With the Apostle Paul, I proclaim,

I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 1 Corinthians 12:9

In the days when election sermons were commonplace, Samuel Willard encouraged his Puritan flock with a message entitled, “The Character of a Good Ruler.” Three hundred years later, these qualities are still relevant. A good leader:

1. Is truthful
2. Knows what is just and unjust
3. Respects the cause rather than persons
4. Is not given to bribes or flattery
5. Prefers the public benefit above private and separate interests
6. Rules in the fear of God
7. Is a student of the law of God
8. Is governed by a good conscience
9. Obeys the law
10. Promotes piety and honesty in all men

Can these characteristics be found in our candidates today? Are they in us?

Sermon excerpt in The Christian History of the Constitution