This may be the most important thing I do in my work as mother: keep time.
Because it slips away so easily.
A long time ago my dad told me that children spell love: T I M E. And, he was right.
I realized today, as I walked in the woods with all of my children together, listening to the birds sing and admiring the golden forsythia, that the only thing I need to plan for in our home learning is how I will keep time. I don't need to worry about what we learn, for every day is full of wonders. But, we will surely miss them all if I allow us to be distracted by "many things". It really is a lie that we can "do it all". My life is full of time saving devices: telephones, computers, televisions, grocery stores, radios, etc. But, am I really getting more done? Or am I just allowing myself--and my children--to be distracted away from living?
In the weeks ahead, I'm going to keep time each day by:
- saying morning prayers together
- having a single lesson (history, geography, mythology, literature, poetry, art, or music)
- playing
- being in nature
- conversations
- writing
- making (baking, knitting, music, painting, sewing, cooking, gardening)
- reading aloud
- working on household chores together
- rest
My oldest is eighteen. My time with my children is passing by so quickly. I'm going to keep it while I can, and savor each moment slowly and fully.
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Luke 10:41+42a ESV
