ABC's of Homeschooling - J and K

I missed last week's ABC's so we have 2 letters for this week.

J is for Jesus

As a Christian Homeschool family our primary goal is to point our kids to Jesus. We want them to do well on the academics but most of all we want them to seek and know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

K is for kindness

Kindness is part of the fruit of the Spirit, it is showing love to others. Ways to do that would be being helpful, friendly and generous.

In homeschooling homes that can be a challenge, but it is also a great place to develop and practice kindness. Siblings get lots of practice in being kind and showing love to each others. They learn to give way, to take turns and to do it joyfully; not because they are forced to, or simply have to, but because it is the better way, it is the loving way, because it is the God glorifying way.

As parents we also have to demonstrate this to our kids by being kind and not harsh. I know as mothers we often "yell", we get exasperated, frustrated, and the list can go on and on, (I know I am not the only one), but, so do our kids sometimes, and these moments often are great opportunities to exemplify kindness to them.

Being forgiving is part of being kind as well. That one can be a big one for them. But again, as we exemplify it to them they can see the pattern and the blessings of forgiveness. They can also see the value and blessedness of considering others before oneself. This ties back with the concept of servant-hood to which we are all called to. Our kids must submit to our authority knowing that we love them, and that we are ready to serve them and show them kindness, just as the Lord gave himself up for us and daily shows us kindness.

In our endeavor to teach our kids to be kind we need to always point them to Christ without whom our efforts will often be to no avail. Their failures to be kind are perfect opportunities to show them their need of Christ. Let us not miss them!

 As we are kind to our kids and exemplify our dependance upon Christ to exercise kindness, they should be pointed to Christ and encouraged to depend on Him as they work harder, and to persevere. They will be eventually learn to be kind and compassionate to others, which are ultimately the traits that we want to develop in them.

Ephesians4:32  - Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Proverbs 31:26 - She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.