On-Task With Interruptions

By Sandra

I frequently chat with a friend, a fellow home educator, who concurs that it takes energy to stay on task with daily homeschooling.  Although we strive most days to hit the mark by covering the subjects on the schedule, there are days when unplanned events – interruptions- actually become the lesson for the day.

I have a feeling that today may be such a day.  I’ll be attending a memorial service for a friend’s father, which will put a snag in our planned lessons.   Filling in for me will be my dad, the children’s Pop Pop.  He won’t be teaching, at least not the subjects on the daily schedule.   But his readiness to step in when I’m in a pinch, his desire to be near the children, and his encouragement that they are doing a good job speaks volumes to their impressionable eyes and ears.  He is steady, reliable, and loving.  And that is the best book a child could read, a living one, that is dependable, truthful, and has a hug at the close of each chapter.

The truth is, it’s the days that we are a bit needy or struggling that we are most open to consider what’s important.  We have to…we’re short on time, patience, funds, or stamina.  Although we would never request the challenges that put us in these positions, we have to learn the dance of regrouping and reprioritizing.  Sometimes that means adjusting a homeschool schedule.  Other times, it means bumping something you say you hold dear back up to a priority status.  Something like time with extended family, for example.  In the bustle of doing and being, it’s easy to lose sight of the plumb line for life.  I know I am out of alignment with God when I’m not making time to honor family.  That not only honors God, but it carries a blessing with it for those who do.  Another bonus, as my children see me honor my parents and family, they learn its place of priority….another blessing for me down the road.

Today, I’m thankful for the interruption to our daily plan.  I’ve been reminded of how fragile life is, like vapor that appears for a short time.  I’m blessed to honor a friend and her father on a day when they remember his life and its impact on loved ones.  I’m also blessed to count my own dad a great blessing from the Lord, and thank God for his influence on my life.  He and my mom adopted me into their family as an infant and taught me to know the Truth and measure my life by His Word, the true plumb line.  I’m also thankful for the opportunity to homeschool, as challenging as is may be to stay on task many days.  I know that God has all these “interruptions” well in hand, and he will use them to teach and bless my children as we commit our ways to him.

Check your plumb line today.  Are you where you want to be?  Ask God to direct your steps and your heart, and He will.  Trust that interruptions will work in your favor when you commit it all to God.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Comments

[Terri Jones Akehurst]

Sandy:
I just want to say what an awesome example to other homeschool/parent educators you are! I would know this "first hand" as your former portfolio reviewer! Blessings on you, yours and your blog!