My second-grader brings worksheets home for homework most nights.
It isn’t new information. (At least for now…)
But it is a reinforcement of what she’s learned between recesses and after lunch when all the kids have peanut-butter hands and are battling playground comas.
Her teacher simply asks her to use what she’s learned to complete a new piece of work, bring it back to school the next day and show what she’s done.
She sits down at the dining room table at four o’clock. Gets out her pencil and says, “I know how to do this…”
So I hover near, reading a magazine or cleaning the kitchen while she works. I watch, and I check and she gets it right. And if she doesn’t, I sit down with her and help her correct her mistakes.
She learns during her school day because she’s forced to sit in the front row, get out her language book at the right time and “carry the 1″ during math. She is in a place of learning.
And so am I.
How do I tell her that she’ll never stop going to school? That I still have homework?
God teaches me about grace and then the next day I’m forced to extend grace. He wants me to put into practice what he’s taught me. He says…
You have the tools. I’ve taught you this, now go and do it.
He teaches me about joy from my three-year-old as she runs toward the preschool playground. I learn this right before I sink toward depression and I’m asked to USE joy, just like He’s taught. I learn about peace or patience and then I’m unsettled. God asks me,
What did you learn today? You’ve seen Peace and you know how to be Patient. You can do this…
It’s all homework. He doesn’t throw me in the way of disappointment or bitterness without trying to teach me first what my response should be.
So, I need to pay attention. I need to sit in the front row, take notes and do my workbook when the teacher asks. I need to raise my hand, answer questions and want to learn so that when I go home, I have the right tools. Because I will if I do well in school.
Do you hate your homework? Maybe you should ask Him to put you in the seat right in front of the Teacher’s desk and then open your eyes.
You will learn. Life teaches you. Just watch your kids, your friends, your husband, the leaves falling down from the the maple trees. You’ll learn. He’s created this world to teach you. Me.
And then go home and do your homework.
What is God teaching you today? Did He give you homework?
Yes, I’ve been given some homework this week. God gave me the gift of a child whom I lost in the ninth week of pregnancy, just a few days ago. Now He is drawing on what He’s taught me since I became a believer, and expecting me to put it into practice: His love is sure, His plans are good, His grace is sufficient. If I really exercise my faith in those things I can fight the feeling of lethargy that wants to take over today. How I will respond tomorrow, I don’t know. But I am trusting Him to get me there…
Praying for you Rachel W.
i’m so sorry for your loss Rachel. what a sweet and amazing perspective. thank you for sharing it with us.
Rachel W,
(((HUGS))) I have experience that, too. I’m sorry for your loss. Praying for God’s ever loving presence in your life right now.
Brilliant and exactly what I “discussed” with God last night…thank you so much for the affirmation!
Hello!
What a wonderful blog! A dear friend of mine directed me to you today, knowing I was having a hard day (and it’s only 8:53 a.m.). I love what you wrote and it is so true. But have you noticed how hard it is to practice sometimes!
As I was writing this, I looked up and saw what Rachel W wrote and all of a sudden my sad feelings are not for me but for her. I’m so sorry Rachel W. I lost a child 35 years ago and to this day I think about my child in heaven. I will pray God protects your spirit and blesses you again.
Anyhow I love the look of your blog and your writing. Thanks for the encouragement.
GrandnanaB
My homework changes daily, hourly, by the minute. It changes depending on my mood, who I am dealing with, talking to or around. It could be a re-lesson on loving as Christ loves or displaying the fruits of the spirit.
– just like for Rachel W. now.
It could be remembering to stop and pray for someone the instant I say that I will
This is so true, SO true. Thank you for sharing and kindly ‘reminding’ me of what I already know.
I’ve only been here (at your blog) for a few minutes, and I already love it.
Sarah, God is doing an awesome work through you. You seem to always post just what I need to hear, when I need it the most. The last few days, I have been struggling with doing my homework.
Thank you
I needed to hear this today. Thank you.
I have to keep remembering what a wise lady once said: The Teacher is silent while the student is taking the test.
He has not left us.
excellent! i love love love this. =)
Love this, Sarah. Brilliant. And definitely something I needed to be reminded of it today.
“So, I need to pay attention. I need to sit in the front row, take notes and do my workbook when the teacher asks.”
I’ve always liked the back row.
I NEVER did my homework.
I always hated being told what to do.
The Teacher moved me to the front row, told me I was smart and that He was proud of me.
I like to do my homework now cause it makes Him smile when I follow through and obey.
I don’t mind Him telling me what to do because I trust He has my best interests as a priority.
Homework and “life” learning are great when you have a teacher you are convinced loves you and truly desires you to be better.
Great post today sunshine!
Chad
oh, and i wanted to share what MY homework is today.
It is to trust God for today only and not for tomorrow yet. He is given me just enough for today and I need to be alright with that.
he’s teaching me to rest in that.
My homework is learning to be content. I am thankful that Paul says he has learned to be content…..I am learning and striving to be. So much of life is spent doing…..I want to learn to be content in the being. After all, we are called human beings not human doings! Thank you for your post today, you inspire me!
And my homework? You cannot give your children what you do not have. I desire for my boys to be generous, hard working and compassionate. I better start really sowing this deep in my own life FIRST before I can begin to give it to them
I LOVE your questions at the end of the post, causing me to think of things I usually over look in the busyness of the day.
God has been giving me LOTS of homework lately – literal HOME work, to have me focus and devote more of my passion into my home, my marriage.
Thank you for being true to your word…I keep coming back and you keep writing and inspiring!
Love your parallels…God is really USING you.
awesome, girl…
each bit of grace down here has been purchased with sweat &/or blood…
paraphrasing stephen pressfield in “the war of art”…where he says that there is an invisible force that wars against EVERY good impulse, against every bit of creativity (which is ALSO 100% grace) in us…
he says that we “purchase” art & other good things by our “fighting the good fight”!
amazing thots today…
love ya sooo much,
dad
1. Your husband comments on your blog. Adorable.
2. Your dad comments on your blog. Amazing.
3. I comment on your blog because you’re fabulous. Great insight that easy to digest!
Thank you everyone for your prayers. I’m really touched that, though I’ve never met you, you have lifted me and our family up in prayer. I am glad to say that today was better. The Lord gave me a verse in my quiet time from Proverbs 31 about the wise woman: “She smiles at the future.” This seems totally impossible except for God’s sustaining love and daily grace. It’s been less than a week since the miscarraige and my body/heart/mind are still processing…trusting Him for the grace for each moment, even to celebrate the life that joined our family, though for such a brief time.
Sarah, thank you so much for your words of insight. I appreciate your writing so much; I’m a relatively new but now dedicated reader. Praying that He is sustaining you today as well,
Rachel W
I love your blog, such truth. I love how God deals so sweetly with all of us so differently yet covers so much of the same ground. It’s nice to be encouraged by eachothers experiences in the same experiences we ourselves are walking through…….