Sometimes the Lord allows us
to experience a "refresher
course" in an area we thought we'd already
conquered. In
my case, it was a lesson in patience --and a chance to
identify
with new homeschooling parents who struggle to
learn patience in teaching
their children at home. Especially
when nothing seems to be going right
--at least not like
the examples given in homeschooling articles and
books! If all homeschool days were like the first two days of our
new
school year, I would have been tempted to give up
long ago. I was all
geared up and ready to hit the books,
but my younger two were still
in the laid-back summer
relaxed mode and couldn't seem to get into
the swing of
things. Everything was an effort.
"Pursuing
and Producing Patience" By Tamara Eaton
I found
myself teaching English to a couple of frustrated perfectionists and
when my youngest daughter's eyes filled with tears, I knew something
had to change fast to get us back on track. I felt impatient, wanting
to spur them on so we could get everything accomplished, but I realized
there was something far more important than sticking to my schedule
--guarding the atmosphere of our homeschool. I needed to use wisdom,
tenderness and patience to gently guide them in the way that they
should go. One important quality of a good teacher is the ability
to pace studies to meet the individual
student's needs. What difference
does it make in the long run if some lessons take two days
instead
of one, or a month instead of a week? Establishing a good foundation
is essential and one of the benefits of homeschooling is being able
to take the necessary time to cover things well and not move on until
the lesson is understood. This requires patience for both parent and
child! Yet patience seems sadly lacking in our fast-paced society.
How many times have
you heard people use the excuse of a lack of patience as their reason
to
avoid homeschooling? Yet would you believe me when I tell you that
everyone has
enough patience already to do what God has called them
to do --they just need to
exercise it? It's true! God has promised
all throughout His Word to help us perform what He
has called us to
do. He tells us He won't allow more than we can handle. We just need
to be
reminded of this when circumstances require patience.
Here's
how we can practice patience in every situation:
1. Stop! Recognize your need for patience!
2. Yield! Consciously yield to the Holy Spirit and allow
Him to minister to you so the fruit of
patience can flow through you.
Pray, "Father, I give this area to you --thank you for helping
me exercise
patience and wisdom!"
3. Act! Determine to act upon what you know is
right, instead of reacting to the
circumstances. He won't force you
to do what is right --you make that choice yourself, but
He will give
you the all the strength and wisdom you need to be patient if you
look to Him.
Often
we make it harder on ourselves by neglecting crucial areas that are
within our control.
The
following things contribute to impatience if we don't watch out:
* Lack of sleep
* Trying to do too much
* On the go all the time -- not slowing
down enough to smell the roses
* Focussing on the negative
--not looking for the positive
*
Comparing yourself or your children to others
* Expecting too much of your child academically
* Demanding perfection without giving room
to grow and mature
* Lack of consistency in training
and disciplining your child
* Neglecting your own spiritual needs --lack
of prayer and time in God's Word
Thankfully, the Lord got my attention and I was able to
adjust both my expectations and
our schedule to allow us to go at a
slower pace to get adjusted for the new year. Now, two
months later,
we are once again settled into a good routine and enjoying our homeschooling
days.
Oh, we still have need of patience! We get plenty of practice in that
area as parents,
but we have a Source that never wanes even when we
are tempted to grow weary.
Failure is almost certain
when we try to do everything in our own strength, it's only as we
learn
to abide in Jesus and yield to the Holy Spirit that we will ever be
sure of
succeeding in following His Will for our lives. Without His
help, who among us could
stand, but with His help --how can we fail?
Let's all continue to focus on Him and put His
Word into practice in
our lives!
"But you, O man of God.... pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,
love, patience,
gentleness." --1 Tim 6:11
"My brethren, count it
all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing
of
your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect
work, that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking nothing." --James
1:2-4
"Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God
and into the patience of
Christ." --2 Th 3:5
More Encouragement from
Scripture:
"I am the vine, you
are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit;
for
without Me you can do nothing."--John 15:5
"If you abide in Me, and
My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall
be
done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much
fruit; so you will be My
disciples." --John 15:7-8
