The Truth about Teachers

If you have been following my blog for long you might remember my post I made last year on homeschooling our kids.  Last night I felt God ask me to share some things I've observed now that I have a semester under my belt. I shared my thoughts on Facebook and it spoke to so many people that I felt I should share it here for the people who are not connected to me personally on Facebook.  

Here are 4 of the few things I have learned in our homeschool experience:

1. Public school teachers don't get near enough credit and praise. I'm only teaching 2 and i'm exhausted and frustrated at times. Hats off to the teachers with 20 plus students.

2. Don't be quick to judge. Just like you will never fully understand the blood, sweat and tears that goes in to being a business owner if you have never owned a business, you won't understand the work that goes in to being a teacher. They do and endure way more than we will ever know.

3. Things aren't always what they seem. I now know how teachers feel when someone ask what they learned in school today and child says "nothing".  

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4. The grass is always greener. Old saying but still so true. No matter where you are in schooling your kids, or at work or in marriage...if we don't take control of our thoughts we will let our mind wander to other options that just look so glorious. Every pasture has poop to step over. If it doesn't it means no life is there. So water your own pasture and watch it bloom.

Next time you see a teacher or a mom trying to keep their head above the water stop and give them a high five and tell them they are doing a great job.

Don't you love how God uses our personal struggles to encourage others?  Ask God how you encourage someone today who might be walking through a similar struggle.  

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52 Scriptures Every Believer Should Know {Book Review/Giveaway}

Every year seems to come with resolutions to do more of certain things(like read the Bible and exercise) and less of other things(like overindulge on sweets).  This year I felt strongly that I am supposed to focus on what we can do rather than what we shouldn't do.  In fact, I believe this is the foundation for the freedom I have found in many areas of my life.  

For example, when someone starts a new diet(which means a way of life) they often focus on all the things they will need to restrict.  When we focus simply on the things we need to restrict we fail to indulge on the things that our body needs(like water, vegetables, fruits, and rest).  I believe if we fill up with good things than we don't miss the things we don't need to be consuming(like sweets and other junk food).

The same is true spiritually.  While it can be good to fast things like social media and TV it can't be done without fueling our self with things that give life, like God's word.  Over the last year I have been very intentional about reading God's word and I have noticed a big difference in my appetite for the things of this world like social media and TV(to name a few).  

Because I recognize the importance of God's word in my own life I am passionate about passing it on to my kids.  I was beyond thrilled to discover a new book set from Tommy Nelson Publishers called "The Joshua Code".  What's unique about this set is that it has a book for the parents and one for the kids but each weeks topic stays the same so you are studying the same verses at the same time.  How cool is that?!  Each book contains 52 scriptures every believer/kid should know.  Every week has a new scripture and devotional. 

The first thing that jumped out to me in the Joshua Code for kids book in was a quote in the foreword that said "If you give your child one thing by the age of five, let it be a big faith in God".  Wow, isn't that the truth?  

Another thing I love about the kids book is the plan for you to follow Monday through Sunday to help your kids memorize that weeks' scripture.  The stories are engaging and strike up great conversations between me and my kids.  

Would you like a FREE copy of this set of books?  Simply comment below and let us know if your family has a family Bible verse.  And if so, what is it?  

I am a member of the Tommy Nelson Mommies for Thomas Nelson, Inc. As a member of this group, I receive products for my use and to review at no charge to me. I receive no monetary compensation for my participation. All opinions are my own.