February 9, 2022 – Love … More Than a Word

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Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

Love is an Action Word

Love may look like receiving cards and flowers once a year (or not!) but more often it looks like sacrifice. And I know, busy homeschool parent, you love your children. You sacrifice daily for them.

• You get up (much too early) and make breakfast – one more day
• You get devotions and history read with so many wiggling children – one more day
• You answer all the math questions and dry the tears – one more day
• You take the flak when you require that writing assignment – one more day
• You plan the dinner, do the laundry and dishes, and bathe the babies – one more day
• You tuck them and pray with them and play the nighttime “stay in bed” game until it is finally your turn to lay your head down.
• Repeat.

You give of yourself day and night, night and day . . . and though no one else sees, God sees your sacrifice. He calls it love. In fact, homeschool parents are just like Jesus. He called His disciples to “come and dine.” He anticipated their need. He provided the fish and the fire. He blessed them in their trade and called them in to rest and eat with Him. He showed us how to teach by serving and providing.

As you teach and serve your young disciples, you are representing Christ.

These articles from The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine are a good reminder of that.

Your Sacrifice is Not in Vain: A Letter from a Homeschool Graduate by M.R. Shupp
Walking the Narrow Path at Home by Randy Saller
I Regret Nothing by Brittany Montgomery

Well done, homeschool mom! Now, take a minute to dine with Him and hear what He wants you to teach today. (John 21). I am guessing He will call you once again to teach your children that love is an action word. Here is some copywork for you all:

“Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV). Remember, you are free to teach your children the extravagant love of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as you keep them Home Where They Belong.

~Deborah

Here is a four-part video devotion What is Love? Schoolhouse Devotions: What is Love? – Part 1 – YouTube

And, our annual Valentine’s Day read The Death of Love.

Teach the way they learn best. Our psycho-educational assessments with personalized consultation give understanding to your child’s unique abilities. Visit sailawaylearning.com or call 865-376-7005!

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Todd Wilson

Familyman Ministries

LOVE Is Not Always FUN!

Here’s the secret about Valentine’s Day—it’s not always fun.

Things that start out as a fun idea can turn sour. In my head, I imagine a day filled with red construction-paper valentine cutouts and a house filled with love. I imagine a romantic candlelight dinner on a white linen tablecloth as my wife and I get lost in each other’s eyes—and then I wake up to the reality of kids who are bickering over who got to hang the valentine decorations last year and how somebody doesn’t like what we’re having for dinner and why they would rather have the candy someone else got instead.

Oh no, Valentine’s Day isn’t always fun, but it is so important. It’s the one day each year that is set apart to let those in our lives know how important they are to us. And while a valentine Scrooge might insist that we should be showing love all 365 days a year, I know some would kill to be shown it on at least that day.

So moms, go all out! Declare a school vacation; decorate with red hearts; make a special pink and white cake; buy those wonderful heart-shaped candies; and tell that family of yours how much you love them. It may not be fun, but it is important.

*A note to fathers: Dad, this is not one of those holidays that you get to coast on. You need to be part of letting your kids know how much you love them too. You need to make some dinner plans (maybe not on the 14th) and take your bride on a date. Yes, you heard me right . . . a date. You show her that she’s still your funny valentine.

Be Real,
Todd

Roger Smith

Parenting Matters Now

Pillar of Knowledge
Roger Smith – How to Show Your Child Love? Look, Listen, Touch

Children ask for love in many ways: “Mama, Mama! Watch me!” “Daddy, tickle me!” “Can you find me?”

Some say children spell love T-I-M-E. But I disagree. They spell it E-A-T.

Let me explain.

E is for eye contact—the kind where you look into the pupil of their eyes with delight when they are speaking to or looking at you. We naturally know when someone is looking into our eyes, and we feel they like us. Your children feel loved when they have eye contact with you.

A is for attention—when they want to tell you about a bug or about something that is bugging them. Actually stop what you are doing, whether it is cooking, reading, or repairing something, and give them thirty seconds of focused attention. Listen to them, and then respond with understanding and interest. It is fuel to grow a great relationship.

T is for touch—like rubbing their back, holding their hand, stroking their hair, tickling, or wrestling, and then lying by their side a few minutes before going to sleep. Touching is connecting.

EAT is more than a word, and so is LOVE.

About the author

Dr. Roger Smith is a family doctor in rural Louisiana, where he and his wife, Jan, raised four adventurous children who are all grown, making their own mark in the world. He speaks and writes on parenting issues and produces brief videos that can be found on Facebook @ParentingMattersNow.

History of Holidays in America homeschool history course introduces elementary through middle school students to twenty-one federal holidays, annual celebrations, and recognition months. This includes a study on Valentine’s Day. Learn about the history of the celebration, look at related Scripture, and make a Valentine’s Day card. Check it out on SchoolhouseTeachers.com.