"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."

Proverbs 25:11

Are my words APPROPRIATE?

Like the clothing you wear in any given situation your words ought to be appropriate for the situation.  Don't rub salt in someone's wounds, don't use words to tear someone down, don't highlight your own ignorance.  Make sure your words are appropriate.

Proverbs 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it?

Are my words PLEASANT?

It is hard to be around a person who uses a lot of curse words in their speech but when you become aware of your own speech you may be appalled at what you hear.  Many unpleasant words can escape our mouths when we bicker, judge, and let bitterness spew from our hearts.  Choose pleasant words.

Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Are my words PURE?

Pure words come from a pure soul and a pure soul can only come from Christ.  When Christ dwells in you and you let him live through you then your words and your actions will be purified.

Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of the righteous man is a well of life.

Are my words LOVELY?

Christ is lovely.  His being and presence are lovely.  Allow what Christ is to permeate your own soul and the words you speak will be lovely.

Luke 4:22 And all bare him (Jesus) witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth...

Are my words ENCOURAGING?

There are discouraged people everywhere.  You don't have to look far.  But a good word, a fit word has the power to make a heart glad.  You can uplift and edify.  In the encouraging of another make sure to use the promises of God, the truths of the Bible.  Allow God to gladden their hearts.

Proverbs 12:25 Heaviness is the heart of a man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

Are my words SOFT?

Take the time to seek God in the midst of your anger.  Do not lash out with angry words.  Ask Him to soften your heart and give you the words to answer the situation softly but if you can't, don't answer at all.  It is better to say nothing than to say something you can't easily take back.

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

It is not ok to wear pajamas to Walmart

in the middle of the day

(unless you are sick and must pick up chicken soup then I understand)

Or even sweatpants tucked into your boots like it's stylish

No

And please...please

There are parts of you I don't want to see

because

you are NOT a plumber

and even if you were it is still

not ok

And one more things that is not ok...

these shoes...

ever.

Please don't accuse me of being judgemental.  I will still love you if you do all of the above but I will not stand close to you and I might even pretend I don't know who you are.

I would expect the same courtesy from you.

Have I mentioned how blessed I feel to be able to stay home with my children?  Well, I do.  And I am.

Homeschooling them and making my home clean and cozy makes for a rewarding day.  And while I go about that I can listen to my favorite music, bake yummy smelling things, enjoy burning candles, sit in front of a warm fire, drink warm coffee drinks, pet my puppies, tell my kids I love them, read books, write letters, and even have time to get out and enjoy nature.

The other day we got to watch a seal playing in the water.  No zoo admission needed!

We studied the structure of a bridge.  Well, youngest son studied it while I took pictures of it and oldest son impatiently waited to go up the trail.

We looked far into the distance from the top of our climb. 

And noticed things close up.  This moss blanketed the ground and looked like melting snow.

I thought this one looked like a sea urchin...

Do you see the little baby mushroom in the shelter of the older mushrooms?

My children are in the 3rd and 5th grades.  Together we do Bible, Geography, Science, and Art.  They do English, Math, and Penmanship seperately on their own level.  

We start our day with a Bible story which we take turns reading.  This gives them great practice in reading aloud as they hear me read and take note of my inflections, pauses, and breathing patterns.  In Geography we are studying the country of Nigeria.  Science has us studying wind, clouds, and precipitation.  In Art we are doing a short study of Folk Art as done by Grandma Moses.

In thinking about the challenges of homeschooling I think maybe my biggest challenge is keeping my focus and attitude in the right place.  When they grumble about having to "do school" it is easy for me to lose my focus and my footing.  When I am positive and attack the day with a smile they seem to follow suit.

What is your biggest homeschooling challenge?

This is the day of the great "I".  Everyone is so full of boasting, self-flattery, and general self-involvement.  We've made our priorities and "I" is at the top of the list.

Our Saviour lived a life of true humility.  He is our example.  Matthew 11:29 "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart."

It is not our purpose to draw attention to ourselves or to proclaim to the world how great we are.  We are nothing.  God is everything.

John the Baptist was one humble man.  He lived his life in humble service to the Lord and was used greatly.  When asked, "Who are you?" he replied, "I am nobody but a voice."  He knew the greatness of God and the lowliness of self.

"There cometh one mightier than I."

"He must increase but I must decrease."

Humility is a sensitive sort of way.  It cannot be manufactured.  It cannot be flattered.  It will not be publically displayed.  And the moment humility speaks of itself, it is gone.

We find humility in the valleys of life.  The Lord is always ready to give us a blessing but we are not always in a position to receive it.  Through trials and hardships we are brought low and must look up to God for mercy.  Valleys are fertile places.  If we allow them to they will grow us and we will learn to be humble.

Don't spend your days absorbed in your self.  Seek God and be filled with the humble spirit of Christ.  Be filled with his meekness and humility!!

"As the lark that soars the highest, builds her nest the lowest; as the nightingale that sings so sweetly, sings in the shade while all things rest; as the branches that are most laden with fruit bend the lowest, as the ship most laden sinks deepest in the water -- so the holiest Christians are the humblest."

"Oh to be nothing, nothing!

Only to lie at his feet,

A broken and emptied vessel,

For the Master's use made meet.

Emtied, that He might fill me

As forth to His service I go;

Broken, that so unhindered

His life through me might flow.

Broken, that so unhindered

His life through me might flow."

Dairy Queen blizzards on a windy stormy evening parked near the beach with all the family cozied up together on the front seat of the truck.  We watched lightning and the moon flirt with us from behind clouds and then Patsy Cline came on the radio and all was well in the world.

Will be giving a devotion tomorrow evening on choosing our words well.  What an important thought!

Am sporting a fabulous purple nail polish that looks just like grape juice.

Tomorrow is my last day of work.  Then I will be free to concentrate more fully on my children and my home throughout the day.

The sky was pink this morning.  A splash of color to wake up the day.

Had a day alone yesterday.  Spent it running errands and also took myself to lunch.  Was able to spend some time working on my devotion and also my Christian Classics homework.

Charlie wore a sweater yesterday.  It was the most pitiful, hilarious thing that I couldn't stop snorting.  It was a turtleneck with sleeves and everything!  And, I kid you not, the big dogs made fun of him for it.

Hope to find time to do some photography soon.  My creativity feels so dry...

Should I be worried that these incomplete sentences come so easily to someone who is teaching her children at home?

The End.