What Matters Most

This past summer I had to make a decision about whether or not to homeschool my children, after having been involved and attending a Christian grade school that we very much loved for the previous 4 years. Anyone who knows me knows that making any sort of decision is an incredibly painful process for me. I like to explore all sides of the equation (many times) before deciding, just to be sure I’ve made the “right” decision. 

While meandering down these paths, I discussed with one of my very dear friends who is a seasoned homeschool mama of five. A question she asked me, I’m sure not to forget. “What is your number one goal with homeschooling? When you figure that out, that will guide your homeschool decisions from there.” I pondered that for a while in my brain (that’s what I do best after all). So many things popped into my mind. “Well of course I want them to be brilliant. I’d love for them to have a firm understanding of history. I want them to know another language. I want them to still experience all the extra-curriculars.” Etcetera. 

Her response was different than all that though, and it hit me right in the heart. “ I want my kids to have strong faith in Jesus as their Savior.” 

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” 2 Timothy 3:14-15

Woah! Self, rewind. Let’s try this again.

I mean, of course this is what I want for my children. It almost could go without saying... except that it actually can’t. What a slap back to reality that was. Here I was thinking of literally everything else and “oh the possibilities”!

Maybe you can relate? Have you found yourself worried about which extracurricular your child will be involved in more than getting them to Sunday school? Have you found that you prioritize attending tournaments on the weekends over regular church attendance? Are you so busy with everything else in life that you can’t find time to fit in a family devotion? There are so many possibilities and opportunities for your child, and you want them to have everything! You want them to be successful, to be well-rounded, to be talented. But what is at the top of yours and my list of priorities? Who is there?

“Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26

This rude awakening helped me put all of that into perspective. Jesus needs to be the tippy top of the list. It doesn’t matter if we teach our kids at home or if we send them to school. It doesn’t matter if they are involved in all the things or not so much. God must be first and when we put him there, he can guide our decisions and direct our paths in all areas of life.  He can help us prioritize our time and our talents. He afterall is our great teacher. When we mess up again and again, and we will, he will be there to pick us back up and reassure us of his promises, an example that we surely can imitate with our children again and again. 

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

The past couple weeks the world has been topsy turvy. COVID-19 is spreading, uncertainty is in the air, and we are spending more time than ever directly with our families. 

Whether you wanted to or not, you are now a homeschool mama for the rest of this year. It’s been difficult to not get caught up in all the things we are supposed to be doing with our children right now. 

If you can, for a moment, take a step back. Pause. Take your eyes away from the 47 emails. Breathe. Pray. Here is our chance. What matters the most here? Yes, your children need to learn their math. Yes, they need to practice spelling words. Yes, they need to learn their history lessons. But what you and I and God want for them to learn most in this life, what really and truly matters, is that Jesus is their Savior. That through him we have saving forgiveness from sin and eternal punishment, that the Spirit will provide our learning of these truths, and that our Father is here always, listening to our prayers and our struggles (we have so many right now!) and watching over us.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

We want these dear children to know and believe this so that they can be together with us and their Heavenly Father in heaven someday-- whether that is today, tomorrow, or God-willing seventy years from now. Their eternal salvation is our number one priority-- what matters most!

What does this look like in action right now during quarantine? You can start and finish your day together in prayer. Read a Bible story and do a devotion together before you start your day. When everyone is losing their minds and wants to scream, take a break and sing a hymn or memorize scripture. Watch church together online. Let them see you studying your Bible and reading your own devotions. Bring God into your everyday and into your schooling. God is the amazing creator of all that we have to learn about-- he’s sure to fit in easily. Your time in quarantine may not be the most enriching experience for your children from a worldly perspective, but it can be rich with love and joy and grace from our Heavenly Father. It can be full of blessings only he could have provided. It can be a great reminder to focus on becoming closer together and even better, closer to God.

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Heavenly Father, We are in awe of your creation. There is so much for us to learn and explore and experience! We thank you for the extra time together with those we hold dearest. We thank you for this privilege to direct our children in their learning and pray for guidance and patience as we face this challenge. Forgive us Father, when we lose sight of our true priorities. We know that heaven with you is our ultimate goal. We know that this is what we should want for our children. Help us to keep our eyes on this prize! Remind us to keep you as front and center in our lives when the world seems like chaos all around us. Lord, if it is your will, keep us safe and keep us healthy. Amen.