So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90: 12

 

We can learn from the Psalm 90:12 just by looking at the life of the man who wrote it.  Moses wrote Psalm 90 and was looking for direction on how to number his days.  He knew how the importance of using our time for eternal purpose instead of worldly purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A NEED FOR SIMPLICITY

 

Most of us find it simple to complicate and clutter our lives.  But is it simple?  We crowd so many activities into our days and our children’s days that we are often overwhelmed physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  We don’t always take the time to eat, sleep, and exercise properly.  We stressfully over-commit to urgent things and then don’t have time for important things.  This is true in our personal lives and in our home schools.  We are not always available to spend enough time with God to find His direction for our day.  If He wants us to teach our children when we sit at home, walk along the road, and lie down and get up and to love our neighbors, then we need to simplify our lives by resisting the busyness and urgency of our own schedules.  This calls for a simpler lifestyle.  Simplicity is not easy but it is worth it!  The alternative is overload, distress, burnout, and disobedience.

 

Webster’s 1828 dictionary includes in the definition of “simple” words such as uncompounded, unmingled, plain, inartificial, sincere, undesigning.  In comparison, “complicate” encompasses words like complex, involved, entangled.  “Clutter” involves words such as a heap, assemblage of things, or to crowd together.  Which words from above best describes our home school/life?  Which collection of words best describes our Lord Jesus?

 

There may be excuses as to why simplifying our life/school is impossible.  One is “what about the tomorrows”?  (I.e., portfolio reviews, relatives’ reactions, college, and career preparation).  When we look deeply at our excuses, we see that many come from pride.  We consciously and unconsciously place our own or the world’s expectations and desires onto the back of our children.  It is ironic that our children are yoked to a pile of school work - bent over from the heavy burden of grammar, mathematics, history, art, science, music, Bible, writing and more – as we teach them about our kind and loving Father and tell then the words of Jesus, For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.   Matthew 11: 30   For most of them life is far from the simple, easy, peaceful way of Jesus.  So when we are anxious about the “tomorrows”, we should turn to Matthew 6: 34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.  God knows our needs and He knows the needs of our children.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.   Matthew 6: 33

 

We pray that Jehovah-Shalom will be your peace, guarding over your heart and mind in Christ Jesus,
Susan Maxon and Cindy Elliott