… all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16, 17, NIV
The saying “old habits die hard” is so true it’s scary! Especially for recovering control freaks like me who find comfort in self-contrived order I think everyone should find just as logical 🙂
I’m finding the longer I walk this Christian journey down grace highway, the less effective my usual methods for dealing with things. This is the case in every area of my life but particularly as a mother and homeschooler. Lately I’ve had numerous experiences where the take-home point can be summarized by these verses from Colossians. Everything truly is all about Jesus! Every life and situation really is all about what Jesus wants us to know about Him and the glory He wants out of our lives.
What do I mean? This morning, as usual, I had lesson plans and a schedule for both boys, but we didn’t start schooling on time. [Revelation: Make plans but don’t get too attached to them.] Instead I had to deal with a character issue that I stumbled upon when I went in their bathroom. [Revelation: Character/integrity development is as, if not more, important than any other aspect of my children’s education and is well worth the delay.] Normally, a delay in my well-crafted plan (especially over something I’ve taught and corrected them about a zillion times) would drive me up the wall. I’m tired of letting 3 little people drive me up the wall and clearly my method of teaching and training on this issue hadn’t worked! I left the boys in their rooms for a bit while I got my daughter and me ready. I needed time to consult Jesus!
Would you believe, Jesus told me to walk them through one of my favorite meditation passages, Zephaniah 3:14-17, until the revelation of Him changes them?! We just spent a half hour talking about Jesus in our Bible study during breakfast and I felt a tongue lashing would straighten them out a lot faster. I told Jesus as much and He simply said, “Has that worked for you so far?” Note: I just LOVE how sweetly He always answers me no matter how I come at Him. Jesus is so cool, composed and gracious! [Revelation: Parenting isn’t about getting my children to respond to me but positioning them to respond to Jesus!]
After throwing my time table “out the window” we talked about Jesus revealed in that portion of Zephaniah. The more we talked the more peaceful and receptive their hearts and honestly they shared. Also, I calmed down and received fresh insights to share with them. Sure we started schooling an hour and a half behind my schedule, but we started the day with Jesus clearly at the center. It’s where He’s always been and always will be. Our lives and our families flow best when He’s the focus. Any instruction and correction that keeps Jesus center stage is bound to be successful because He’s holding it all together.
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SOUL FOOD (Scripture References)
Proverbs 19:21, NIV
© Vanessa A. Harris and The Legacy of Faith, 2012.
Vine Life Faith 