About this time of year as the summer heats up and school lessons are finished; we begin the process of researching homeschool curriculum for the following year. There are always many considerations for us- expense, academic level, preparation, and learning styles are but a few of the things that factor our decision. Only in the past few years have the different learning styles of our boys become a more influential pull as we weigh different curriculum options. This is due, in part, to having to figure out the best way each of them learns the various subjects best. Caleb and Carson each have their areas in which they are "bent" and more passionate about studying as well as areas that just come easier to them. Some children need to see a visual picture for a lesson while others need an auditory connection to a lesson in order to fully comprehend it, but most of us learn best through experiencing lesson for ourselves. As a homeschool family, we do our best to create learning experiences for our kids as often as possible.
Today, as I thought about this, I realized that the same is true for my relationship with the Father. We all have certain areas that come easier for us and, sadly, areas that often we keep having to learn by experience. Sometimes we can hear about the experience of another believer and it is enough to help us grow and mature in our faith. At other times, we may personally witness or see someone walking a spiritual journey that challenges us in our own personal walk with God. There are also times, however, that we learn through our own experiences-whether good or bad- trials and triumphs that forever become spiritual markers in our lives.
The wonderful part of all this is that we have a perfect teacher who knows everything about us and designs those experiences to match our most intricate and intimate needs. His lessons are always meant for our benefit and are never for our harm. His desire is to see us mature in our faith in order to prepare us for the plans He has for us. No lesson is ever wasted, unnecessary or unneeded. He is reminding me that I need to be a compliant student who seeks after Him and looks for the lessons in the circumstances.
"Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." Colossians 2:7 NLT
I want to be an outstanding student because these are the "tests" that matter. I long for the approval of my teacher and Father. Teach me, Father, and help my blind eyes see the lessons in the circumstances.
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