Plowing & Planting
Our school year is off to a wonderful start. Not the "we've already finished our entire first semester" sort of start that I dream of, but a wonderful start regardless. My favorite part of our school day has always been Bible time. We start each school day together in the living room praying together, singing together, and reading God's Word. It is a precious time that reminds me of the real reason we homeschool. The rest of the school day may be semi-organized chaos, but these first few minutes are always a wonderful time together.
This year, our focus has been on wisdom and choosing wisely. We have been talking about, praying about, and singing about choosing what is best and having wisdom. Naturally, our Bible reading has centered around the book of Proverbs. Each passage admonishes us to use wisdom in our lives and challenges us in a new area of our lives. III John v.4 says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." It has been my great joy to see the kids not only listening to God's Word, but applying the truth in their lives.
For our literature reading we have been reading through the Little House series. I fully anticipated much wailing and gnashing of teeth from the boys on this front. However, I have been pleasantly surprised. All of the kids have enjoyed reading about Laura and Mary and their experience on the prairie and beyond.
Our Bible reading and our literature reading collided today and taught us an important lesson. I hope that our lesson will bless and encourage you as well.
Proverbs 20:4 - The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
There have been a few verses in our study of Proverbs that were obvious in the way they apply to the children. Proverbs 10:1b, "A wise son maketh a glad father." Proverbs 7:1, "My son, keep my words." Proverbs is full of excellent lessons for each of us and Solomon speaks specifically to young people throughout the book. Still, the kids weren't exactly seeing how a sluggard plowing (or not plowing rather) applied to them. That's where our literature reading came in. We talked about what they had learned from the Little House series about plowing and harvest. Then I asked them, "how does this verse apply to us?" Yes, I received a few very confused looks and some humorous answers as well. "Reason of cold" - it's cold in Alaska! Harvest, like cutting the lettuce in the garden? Sluggard? What's a sluggard? (yes, I've explained this term many times by chapter 20)
This is the part of our Bible time that has become so very precious to me. The time when I'm able to show these precious ones that God has entrusted to us how that he can teach them something 'just for them' from a verse that doesn't seem to be 'for them' at all.
You see, this is the time of their lives that is the plowing time. Just like spring time is the time to turn the soil and prepare the ground for seeds, these early years of our children's lives are the time to be preparing their hearts and their character for that day that surely will come - a day of harvest. Is this plowing always fun and exciting? No, it is hard work. It is not a work for sluggards. Plowing takes planning and hard work and faithfulness.
The sluggard says, "it's too cold." I may say, "I'm so tired." The kids may say, "I want to go play." Then, when the harvest comes; will we have nothing?
It is a work that we choose to do together. I have to work to plow and plant the seeds of truth in them and they have to work hard as well. Yes, there are days when it is exhausting and discouraging. Yes, there are days when the kids don't want to put in the work and I don't either. Still, there is a harvest that is coming and it is my heart's desire that their harvest will be a life honoring to the Lord. Of course, I want each of them to be that homeschool prodigy that you read about that graduates college at 15. I want them to love school, score above average on everything, love music, develop their talents, and excel at everything. I want all those great things for each of them. (Okay, the graduating college at 15 seems rather unlikely) However, the harvest that I am looking forward to having in that great day of harvest is five children who are so much like my Savior that I can see Christ in every part of their lives. Yes, that is the harvest that I look forward to, pray for, and work towards.
Today is not that harvest day. Some days I wish it were because the plowing and planting is exhausting and I'm ready for some rest. Other days I'm thankful it's not quite here because I'm sure that my harvest will not even come close to resembling what I'm trying to grow. Still, the harvest day is coming and it's closer every day so let this simple truth be an encouragement to you today. It's worth it! Some days may feel like your work is in vain, but don't give up. Don't make an excuse and put aside this important work of plowing and planting for another time or for someone else. God's Word tell us in Proverbs 31:25 that we "shall rejoice in time to come." I cling to that. It's a promise from my God who can not lie. So today I choose to plow the little field where God has put me and pray for the harvest that God will make up for my failures and give the increase.
