Have you ever seen joy? The kind of delight that can only come from learning something new from God? Observing something wonderful and precious and full of perfect design? When I slow down and watch my child learn (which I don’t do nearly often enough) I am given the opportunity to see pure joy in action. Perhaps this is why we are told “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is His reward.” Psalm 127:3.

I remember thinking homeschooled children were so over protected, and I wondered about the “social” aspect of it until I saw how busy and how many friends Mrs. Hope’s little ones had. Over the last 3 years I have learned that there is a huge difference between being too sheltered and being kept safe and “trained up in the way they should go” (Proverbs 22:6) before sending these gifts out into the world. I can look back and see certain points where God was working on my heart now, but at the time I was oblivious.

I find that on the days where I turn it all over to God to let Him lead me in this adventure I have a basket full of tender mercies and fruit of the Spirit. I’m working on having more of those, and thankful for His grace for all the days I fall short.

One of the most surprising things (to me, anyway) is that I’m becoming a better wife and friend and mom the more I get into the servant and teacher mentality I need to bring glory to God in our homeschool. I am learning to listen to the little nudging to put whatever down and sit with my husband or email a friend. I will get the kitchen cleaned but that “bur” on the deck at the feeder is so important to Mr. T that I need to see it, too. Keeping up with the laundry is a joy when I think about the blessing of the clothes, but more so the ones getting the clothes dirty. And while it takes three times as long to get the laundry folded and put away, it is much more fun when Mr. T is having an Elvis dance party while I work on my chores.

So while Mr. T is learning his numbers and letters and all about horses and cows, I am learning about patience, gentleness, self-control, serving others above myself and looking for God in the small things. And this is just the beginning. I cannot wait to see what each new day brings , both the good and the bad, the clean and the messy, the peanut butter kisses and the yogurt covered couch. It is all part of the reward I get simply for being my Father’s child. How amazing is that? Joy in action.