Flow
As a parent and an educator, you embark on a journey of self-discovery, and family discovery. You become aware of what the correct rhythm is for yourself and for your family. This awareness grows with time and experience – in the beginning, one tends to depend more on the advice of others. It takes time to trust the quiet voice within…
It may sound like taking the easy way out, but I have learned that it is so important to find the flow and go with it. I believe that there is a unique pattern for each family, and even for each person in the family (one has to learn to harmonize). When you try to apply a well-intentioned flow pattern from another context, simply because it looks good or right or proper, the results are not necessarily good. There may be a sense of pressure, even if it seems to work.
‘Know thyself’ was the counsel of the seven sages of Greece. In all the years I have educated my children at home, if there is one thing I have learned it is this – I cannot piggyback on what works for other people. Of course I can glean ideas and wisdom from them. Of course they can help me clarify where I am going wrong, and inspire me where I am going right. Of course they can give me sound advice. But at the end of the day, I must get in tune with the still, quiet heartbeat of the Holy Spirit, and learn of Him who and what I am, and who and what my child is. And then I will find the correct way…. Put the horse in front of the cart, and you will go places.
When we first came to England, I panicked, and lost my sense of direction (it was all so new and confusing, and I could not work out what my children needed for their futures). I literally put the cart before the horse, and we went nowhere at all until I calmed down and began to seek God’s face concerning the way to live here. The cart is full of curricula, qualifications, educational opportunities, trips and outings, relationships, and all the plethora of things that combine to make up the delightful learning adventure we so want our children to have. The horse is the ‘flow’ I’m talking about, that place of being in touch with the voice of Jesus, saying ‘This is the way.. do this… go here… take this opportunity.. let that one pass…” I have learned that in most cases (there may be rare exceptions), if it does not flow naturally, if the resources are not there, if I have to drive and push, then it is not the right thing; keep looking, wait….
It may sound like taking the easy way out, but I have learned that it is so important to find the flow and go with it. I believe that there is a unique pattern for each family, and even for each person in the family (one has to learn to harmonize). When you try to apply a well-intentioned flow pattern from another context, simply because it looks good or right or proper, the results are not necessarily good. There may be a sense of pressure, even if it seems to work.
‘Know thyself’ was the counsel of the seven sages of Greece. In all the years I have educated my children at home, if there is one thing I have learned it is this – I cannot piggyback on what works for other people. Of course I can glean ideas and wisdom from them. Of course they can help me clarify where I am going wrong, and inspire me where I am going right. Of course they can give me sound advice. But at the end of the day, I must get in tune with the still, quiet heartbeat of the Holy Spirit, and learn of Him who and what I am, and who and what my child is. And then I will find the correct way…. Put the horse in front of the cart, and you will go places.
When we first came to England, I panicked, and lost my sense of direction (it was all so new and confusing, and I could not work out what my children needed for their futures). I literally put the cart before the horse, and we went nowhere at all until I calmed down and began to seek God’s face concerning the way to live here. The cart is full of curricula, qualifications, educational opportunities, trips and outings, relationships, and all the plethora of things that combine to make up the delightful learning adventure we so want our children to have. The horse is the ‘flow’ I’m talking about, that place of being in touch with the voice of Jesus, saying ‘This is the way.. do this… go here… take this opportunity.. let that one pass…” I have learned that in most cases (there may be rare exceptions), if it does not flow naturally, if the resources are not there, if I have to drive and push, then it is not the right thing; keep looking, wait….