Lessons for the Teacher

Day one complete.

Initially, I'd have to say it wasn't quite the banner "back to school" day I'd dreamed about in my earlier years of homeschooling. In recent years, I've learned to put those former expectations of grandeur and glory aside and simply take each day as it comes. I've also learned that many times, I'm likely learning way more than our boys are. Today is one of those days...

Our boys were a delight in every sense of the word. Good attitudes, cooperation, flexibility...you name it, they had it. It was their mom who had the issues. While we were taking all of our "first day of school" pictures outside this morning, I heard the phone ring. I chose to let the answering machine pick up.

We proceeded to have our devotions together, as well as some fun first day of school activities. Needless to say, it was quite a while before I remembered to listen to the aforementioned message. When I finally did, my heart lurched out of my chest. Our 7th grade son is participating in an Apologia General Science (7) Co-Op this year, and I was thinking it started next Tuesday. The message was from my friend, reminding me to bring something when I came for class this afternoon.

This afternoon? No, no... you must be wrong! Class starts next week...right?

Nuh-uh.

And not only does class start today, it's my responsibility to shop for all the supplies for each lab. I signed up for it back in May. I'd planned to shop for all of next week's supplies this Thursday. And now I was jolted with the reality that this class was today, and I had nothing for the experiment! All these students and families were relying on me! If that weren't enough, our family is currently down to one vehicle as our other one is in the shop. And I'd cheerfully told my husband to take it to work this morning, declaring we had no extra classes till next Tuesday!

I hurriedly called him at work, but much to my dismay, he wasn't in his office. I left what I'm sure was a rather frantic, pathetic-sounding message on his voice mail. When he returned my call, he assured me he'd come home for an early lunch so that I could take him back, go to the store, and buy the necessary supplies before our 1:30 class.

My head was spinning with all that I had to pull together for this afternoon, and in my heart I grimaced as I heard our 8-year-old calling me with a question about his math. I prayed as I ascended the stairs, asking God to help me respond to him with grace and patience. It wasn't his fault that his mom is so scatter-brained! Soon our 12-year-old called me with a question of his own. Once again, my flesh was prone to respond in selfish disgust, and I pleaded with God to strengthen me and help me to respond in love. With each question asked of me by our boys, my blood pressure began to soar, and my heart cried out, "God, I can't do this today! I need You!"

When each of the boys were finally done with their independent studies, we came together for our read-aloud. Sitting with them in our livingroom, I began reading. And I noticed that my heart was calm. I was tuned in to the story and could actually tell you what it was about. My mind was engaged in the moment, and my heart was at rest.

And then it hit me that I was finally doing what God desires of me everyday, not just in the chaotic mornings like today. I was abiding in Him. Oh, yes, I've prayed about our school year for weeks. I've prayed for our boys and our studies and the unity of our home. But today God reminded me that I need Him every moment of every hour. In those moments when I'm tempted to respond in the flesh (and all too often give in), I can cry out right then and ask Him to help me. No, it's not a deep, profound lesson, but for me, it was a timely, much-needed reminder. I don't have to try harder or do it myself. I simply need to cry out to Him and hide myself in Him. Apart from Him, I can do nothing.

Okay, I'm finally getting to the end of the story. We enjoyed a peaceful lunch around our table, I dropped my husband back at work, drove to the store, and quickly purchased all the needed items for today's lab. I was back to church by 12:50...40 minutes before classtime. I artfully arranged all the supplies on the lab table so that they would be easily accessible to today's teacher and the students. No one would be the wiser regarding my massive brain cramp!

One of the co-teachers soon arrived and noted the lab supplies all laid out. I was feeling preeettty proud of myself! It was then she dropped da bomb.

No lab today. First lab ~ next week.