The Spark (must read for every mom)
The storm had come suddenly, sometime between sandwiches and schooltime, and the branches banged against the house, and the lightweight lawn-chairs did flips across the lawn. The storm was just severe enough to be fun.
“May we please go play in the wind before math?!”
It was respectfully asked, and there it was in his eyes, the spark.
I bent down and smiled straight into that spark: “Ten minutes. Ready? GO!”
A blur of boots (no time for a coat!) ran out the door, and I watched from the kitchen window as they ran across the yard, flapping arms and laughing, feeling the powerful gusts push them along.
I glanced back at the book there on the counter, ready to be returned to the library, and gratitude welled up in me again for Kristine Barnett’s message to all moms: {Read the rest over here … THANK YOU!}
A Peek at Patterson Homeschool
It’s Tuesday, 4:57pm. Today we had Bible study and I had an afternoon meeting. We’ve just finished painting, chicken’s in the crockpot, green beans are in the skillet. Kids are at the table, hungry, waiting, nibbling peas from little bowls. I seize the moment. Turn my attention to 4-year-old Dutch. Time to homeschool.
“Dutch, we’re going to learn a little something about water today.”
“I already know all about water.”
[Insert instruction regarding humility and listening. Return to lesson on water.]
“Remember last week when we took that looong walk to the park? When we got home, we were very very….what?”
“Thirsty! AND hungry.”
“That’s right! Good. When we work hard we get very very thirsty. So what do we drink?”
“SODA!” I stare at him. (I have never given him a drop of soda in his life.) He grins mischievously. I will not be derailed.
“We drink water because that helps us grow strong and be healthy.”
“Haha! Papa gives me soda sometimes because I like it because it bubbles on my tongue and gets all tickly. And I like it. It makes me grow strong!”
“No, soda makes you sick, water makes you strong.” Let’s change the subject.
“Dutch, remember the story from Sunday school last week, the story about the woman at the well with Jesus? Can you tell me about it?”
“Yeah! Jesus fell in the well and the woman pulled him out!” He is being completely serious. I am now shaking my head in disbelief. Where did I got wrong? 🙂
“Actually the woman asked Jesus to give her this special water so that she would never thirst again. Our spirits need living water just like our bodies need liquid water. Jesus is the only one who can give our spirits this special living water and give us this special life in him.” I smile, satisfied, letting it sink in.
“I like soda!”
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Some days are better than others. Every day is a gift.
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*Check back tomorrow for a very special day, challenge, and opportunity to win a free gift. WCC ladies, check in before you go to Bible study in the morn! Hint: You might want to paint your toenails today…