A Few Blessings Counted

I've been reading blogs for my entertainment lately.  It's what helped get me mentally ready to homeschool again after a busy summer.  I've reaped a lot of excitement from the hard work of others.  What a blessing.

Our first few days back to school have gone well.  One day was a little rough.  But by the grace of God we were able to make some adjustments to successfully finish the day and count it a good one.

I ran into this great advice from Julie at Creatin' Classical Chaos in her August 10 post: Helpful homeschooling advice... Things change. And change. And change. Don't let a set of plans you worked hard on stop you from following the lead of your children. Listen to them. Watch them. Notice what sparks their interest. And most of all truly "hear" them. I don't literally mean only what they are verbalizing to you, but what they speak to you through their actions.

I really think this is what made the difference in our rough day.  We were able to be patient enough to make adjustments and keep trying.  (Some days we don't handle our difficulties well. So this time is a glory hallelujah.)

And I think this advice is not just for homeschoolers...but for effective parenting.  Pay attention to your children and honor the special way God has made each one.

Really, the advice that things change is truth that is good for everyone to embrace.  I read the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling today.  I think maybe I should blow it up poster size for my wall.  It really speaks to the idea of handling change with grace.  That can really be tough sometimes.  Especially when the change is not something we would choose.

Yesterday, at aholyexperience's Facebook page there was a post that says, "Love always begins with patience and patience is always willing to suffer." (Oh! my gut reaction was to kind of hate that.  But I know that is where I need to grow.) And I think patience is the feet of hope.  When I am patient, I am walking out my trust in God for a hope and good future that He has promised me.  Overcoming that heat of the moment can just be so hard sometimes!

So, today I'm praising God for successful homeschooling, the blessings of others' writings, and love, patience, hope, and suffering (that part is still said through gritted teeth, but with a sheepish smile).  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.

Here's the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too; 
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good nor talk too wise;

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master;
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With 60 second's worth of distance run--
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!