Strewing

One of Thomas Jefferson Education's "Seven Keys of Great Teaching" is...

"Inspire, don't require." 

Most people say, "If I don't require my child to study, he won't!" 

I ask, "Did you ever try?" 

We require our children to attend school (or homeschool) at a very young age and soon the flame of curiosity is stamped out and we begin to lecture them daily about the "need" to study. 

We have no clue how all of our requiring would not be necessary if they had a natural learning environment.

Do I, as a parent, do hard things? Do they see me struggling to learn new skills? To get a degree while raising my family? To write a book? To master a new cooking skill? To learn how to improve my health- by knowledge and discipline?

Laura Ingalls inspired her worst student to become a good student when he realized she was keeping up with her school studies at home while teaching school herself. She had agonized over how to get him to study, but here it was, as simple as example.

My own studies will inspire me to strew bits of knowledge as I go about my daily living. This will pique my child's curiosity. They will want to know more about things.

It is in this manner that we are instructed to teach God's law, as well. While sitting, standing, lying, walking, etc. We were discussing this the other day. Does that mean we talk of it all the time?

No, but if we are full of God's Word, we will apply it to everyday situations, while speaking about it with our children. (Deuteronomy 6:7)

As my son peruses the Kindle account, he may find things I've strewn there. One recently "picked up" The Gentleman's Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness. He's gaining wisdom from it. (Or maybe I should say, knowledge. I'm not certain it's turned to wisdom yet.)

Lay a few books/magazines on the coffee table. See which ones get picked up. Put more out, later. 

Set out books that inspire doing- drawing, painting, building, home repair, farming, photography, cooking, and you name it. Do some projects yourself.

The learning is in the books. Find interesting books on a myriad of subjects and introduce them in subtle ways. Try pulling one out from the row on the bookshelf and placing the front to face the one who comes looking.

Hang paintings around the house in strategic places. In front of the kitchen sink. By the toilet. On the bedroom door. On the bathroom mirror. 

Print out quotes, Bible verses and poems that inspire. Place these where they will be noticed.

Strew ideas. 

"How could we get surround sound in this room?" 

"We need a magazine rack." 

"The chickens need a shelter." 

"Watch this Back to Eden gardening video; couldn't we do that?" 

Introduce new games. Thrift stores are excellent places to find the old games you enjoyed as a child. Games can be very educational. They are especially great for learning math.

Strewing is an excellent way to inspire your children to learn more. If they bite what you've strewn about, fine. If not, fine. Keep strewing. The curiosity is there, if you haven't killed it by requiring.

Plato said, "Bodily exercise, when compulsory, does no harm to the body, but knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind."

Here is a very inspiring article. The author speaks of joy and delight in learning. May you find it inspirational in your own homeschool journey, if that's where you find yourself. 

Strewing is helpful even if you send your child to a conventional school. Your enthusiasm about learning is sure to wear off on your children.

Today my strewing included a Bob Ross video. Now wouldn't you like to paint when he makes it look so easy? (The above-mentioned article had me checking him out.)

Words I'll strew today-
Archetype
Doggerell
Piazza

Death, Defeat, Destruction and Victory

Alex of The Frugal Couple was recently posting videos of himself doing push-ups. Twenty-two a day for twenty-two days. Why?

To raise awareness of the twenty-two veterans who kill themselves daily.

President Trump either did or is wanting to declare a national health crisis because of the forty-eight people who daily kill themselves through the use of opioids.

That's seventy people a day, dying because of defeat.

Add to that the destruction of lives in Las Vegas. New York City.

Yesterday 26 people were killed in their country church house in Texas. What makes a man murderous?

Let me ask you some questions.

Did you grow up in a two parent home with no divorce?

Did you have the privilege of being home educated or have you had a good private/public school experience?

Do you have enough food in your house for a week?

Do you have a clean record with the state?

Do you have a home that you do not fear having to move from any day soon?

Do you have a clear conscience?

Is there one person in your life who cares whether you live or die?

Are you debt free?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have much more than most people.

If you think about these things and realize how much people are hurting throughout this land, what does it do for you?

It makes me cry.

It makes me realize why someone wants to destroy themselves or others.

Pain is pain and too much pain is overwhelming.

We have the answer for these people if we know Jesus. If we know God the Father. 

Theirs is a wondrous plan. Jesus came to earth to take all the pain there ever could be and nailed it to His cross. 

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: (Isaiah 53:4)

When we believe in Him, He takes all the pain away and gives peace in its stead. Peace that passes all understanding.

As humans we feel like we need to be angry. Or sad. Hurt. With everything that has happened to me, poor me, how can I have peace? It just isn't fair the things I've suffered.

And that is the truth. Life isn't fair. It also isn't fair that Jesus offers to take all that for us after He lived a sinless life and suffered unbelievably and unjustly. But it's the truth.

And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

And once you know that truth and it has set you free, you will have incredible compassion for those who do not know it. You will want to share the truth with them. 

They don't need to live in fear. In shame. In hurt. In anger. In hatred. In "control". In depression. In defeat. In destruction.

There is hope. There is peace. There is joy. There is freedom. There is love.

Let us find and apply this truth to all areas of our lives. We are a broken people who face pain daily. What we do with it- carry it or give it to Jesus- makes all the difference. 

Is something in the past still painful? Do you still feel awful when you think about it? Jesus will heal that as well, if you allow Him to.

Allow the Son to shine through and bring you light and hope and then spread it to others.

Why would I wish to be all things negative when Jesus gave so much to make my life positive?

Prayer: Jesus, my heart hurts so much when I think about what ___________did. It makes me feel so ___________. I choose to forgive ___________ and I take upon myself all the pain he/she caused me and allow him/her to go free. What is Your truth about this situation?

The amazing thing about this prayer, prayed from the heart, is that Jesus transfers that pain to Himself and we go free, praising Him!

Name the Gifts

Be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp has confirmed my earlier notions that we must live a joyful life. The author was challenged by a friend to record one thousand things she loved. She took up this challenge to name one thousand blessings. Literally. Write it down.

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

She had been on a journey to find the mystery to the full life. Her journey led her to believe that thankfulness is how the child of God finds fulfillment in life. Especially in naming His gifts. If a thing is unnamed, it remains in the shadows. Do you feel thankful for something you haven’t named?

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Thessalonians 5:18

 As she describes her discoveries, it resonates with me. Yes, how many times are we instructed in the Word to be thankful? How many times do we see successful people who are thankful? Not successful as the world would term success, but happy, fulfilled people.

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Daniel 6:10

What did Daniel give God thanks for? Three times a day. Do we please our Father by naming His gifts to us in thankfulness? Does He feel our love for all the good things He’s blessed us with? We will feel His love begin to fill our lives as we name His gifts.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:  1 Timothy 4:4

The prayer before the meal. Is it one of thanksgiving? Or is it a ritual?

And he took the cup, and gave thanks…. Luke 22:17

And he took bread, and gave thanks… Luke 22:19

And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks… Matthew 15:36

In giving thanks, things are multiplied. We are filled. We see more. And more.

You must search, to be able to name. One thousand gifts? Where will you find them?

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in they presence. Psalm 10:13

Name the gifts and it will change you. Do not stop when you reach one thousand. That was only to get you in the habit of looking amongst all of life, good and bad, to find what your Lover wants you to receive today.

Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it. Ephesians 5:25

From the book, "If we are dying of thirst, passively reading books about water quenches little; the only way to quench the parched mouth is to close the book and dip the hand into water and bring it to the lips. If we thirst, we'll have to drink." 

And if we are going to find fulfillment in life, we must begin to name.The gifts.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Psalm 30:12

If you want to read One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are you can find it on Amazon or CBD.

Will you join me in a race to name a thousand gifts?

What gift do you behold at this moment?

Disclaimer: I receive no compensation for this book review or from any links in this post.

Joy...and Faith

A huge topic.

Here are some thoughts I'm gleaning.

Joy is a choice.

Forgive, forgive and forgive.

We choose to be hurt.

Talk and think about good things.

Brothers and sisters, think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8 paraphrased)

Does God instruct us to think about ANYTHING negative?

Smile! 😀 It makes you happy.

Celebrate victories. Your own and others. Don't think big. Tell yourself what you did right. Tell your partner what you like about him/her. Tell your child what they did right.

Think of the person you do not like. Is there one good thing about this person? Think about this thing only.

We likely grew up in a family or church or school where you were only told what you did wrong. You have the mentality that you are not enough.

Do you say things like-

"I didn't get enough sleep last night."

"Money doesn't grow on trees!"

"There's way too much to do."

"I can never do it right!"

"Maybe I'm good for something after all."

"I don't have time for that."

There's not enough space."

What do all these statements say?

"Not enough." 

"There's a scarcity."

Truly? Is the ocean only a few drops of water? Is the air you breathe nearly gone? Is the sky about to fall on you?

No! A thousand times NO!

Live with an abundance mentality.

We have an abundant God.

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. Psalm 50:10

He wants to give us the kingdom.

Fear not, little flock: for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

He says ask and I'll give it to you.

For everyone that asketh receiveth... Luke 11:10

He promises rest. (Yes, on earth!)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:2

Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrews 4:11

He says he'll give us feet like deer, wings like eagles, strength like youth.

Habakkuk 3:19; Isaiah 40:31

He wants us to be a joyful people.

In thy presence is fulness of joy...Psalm 16:11

And it all boils down to a choice.

Really?!

I get to choose these things?

Absolutely!

We see... hear.... get -

What we look for. What we want. What we believe in.

Do you believe God when He says He is for you? 

If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

Do you believe everything is against you?

You get what you believe.

Where is your faith today?

What are you expecting?

Are you choosing joy?

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Psalm 67:3 & 5