Lessons are everywhere, and the longer I teach, the more I realize that there are opportunities in every situation and for every subject. As a Christian, I have seen first hand how all things point back to the Creator, and can be used to accomplish my main and first priority-instructing my children in the way of the Lord and establishing a firm foundation of knowledge. And with this foundation, it is my prayer that (God-willing) they will someday draw upon it to make decisions for Christ and develop a great love and relationship with Him as their Savior.
One of the earlier lessons came during a history/geography lesson. We were studying Christopher Columbus, where he came from, his love of ships and exploration, and how the Queen Isabella of Spain agreed to finance his trip. We were tracing his route, very simply, using a map and seeing where he started and where he landed. The lesson turned to navigation, and how he had to map out his own route to India, because there was not a map for him to follow. Can you even imagine that? How incredibly difficult! What faith he must have had! How could have he done it?
In the past, and even now, we rely on compasses, and star patterns to know where we are and in what direction we are heading. In our lesson, we talked about how people must have compasses, or some physical point of reference otherwise they would end up sailing in circles. Many people have died in the wilderness or forests, walking endlessly, yet getting no-where.
To emphasize this point, I took my children outside with a large piece of pink sidewalk chalk and a blindfold. On the sidewalk, I chalked out a straight line- about 20 ft long. I then made a little wager with them. I said if any of them could walk straight down pink line blindfolded and end up with even one foot still on the line, that I would give them $20. After assuring them that I was serious and would honor our little 'bet', you can imagine the enthusiasm and whoops and hollers that ensued. They began slapping each other on the back, all grins, and making plans how to spend this easy cash. But to their dismay, one after the other, try after try, not one could walk that straight line blindfolded. It was impossible. They were all so sure they could do it. They kept begging for one more try, until finally coming to the realization that it was futile.
We went back inside and I opened my bible up to Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end in leads to death." Jesus the Messiah, The Son of God and the only Savior who can cleanse us of our sins and lead us to heaven, said in the book of Mathew (8:12), "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life". We need Him desperately. The bible is how he speaks and leads us. As Christians, it is our compass.
As our children's teachers, we are responsible to give them all the tools and skills they will need to succeed in life. If my child becomes a doctor and saves 1000 peoples' lives, or becomes the President, or just a hardworking man who gives 100 percent in any job he does, yet does not know God and fails to make it to heaven, all of my teaching was in vain. I cannot make the "salvation decision" for him, but I will teach him- foremost- REAL life lessons, and that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."
As a home schooling mom, I have the greatest opportunity in the world. I pray that my schooling and daily life would not wander in circles, but rather be led forward and upward as all of us, together, learn more and more of His great love for us and grow to know him better.
-------------------------------
Jenefer Igarashi is the Senior Editor of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine for homeschoolers. She can be reached for comments on this article at [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can also check out Home School Magazine online by clicking here:
http://www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com
Copyright 2003. Used with permission by The Old Schoohouse Magazine.
