Our school year is winding down and I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned about myself and my kids, by being their teacher! And while I’m not a teacher by trade, as a nurse I do a lot of patient education and am very used to helping others learn.
Teaching my own children has been so very satisfying, and I count it a privilege to be present with them as they learn. I watch their faces light up when they succeed, and I’m also with them as they fail. And oh how important it is to learn to fail well, with grace, and together we are learning everyday.
And among the things I’m learning as my kids’ teacher, is how important it is to teach in the context of relationship—for them to know that the foundation of our relationship is strong enough to weather correction and instruction, because they’re convinced I care.
I’m realizing they learn best when they are reassured and have confidence in our relationship–when I hug them like crazy and annoy them with kisses … after all, what teacher does that? I’m also learning to get down at eye level with them, and teach with lots of praise and encouragement.
And we have all benefitted from the intentionality.
And this week, as I memorized the first two verses of Matthew 5, I was struck by the intentionality of Jesus.
Matthew 5:1-2 (ESV) Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
He built purposeful relationships with his disciples, and had a great desire to teach them. And yet He knew, if His disciples’ hearts were going to be receptive to His teaching, He had to retreat with them–focus on teaching them with intention.
So when He saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain. His disciples noticed, and they followed Him– eager to be near Him and learn from Him.
And what really got me was the fact that Jesus sat down. He didn’t stand and talk down to them. He didn’t pace or lecture them. He directed His gaze at them–getting eye to eye with them. And that’s when He began to teach.
His body language and posture relayed to themHis humility, and the intimate way He cared.
And I’m moved by His approach.
How many times do I open my mouth to share, and not consider the other person?
How many times do I want to impart my “profound” knowledge to someone because I can … because way deep down, I think I’m so amazing?
And while I’m doing many things right, there are so many ways for me to improve. I’m guilty of talking down to my kids, and just plain talking too much to others. Forgetting to invest, consumed with self, and forgetting that the quality of the relationship supports their level of receptivity to me.
I need to remember that to really teach, it is my humble care that allows them to even hear me at all.
Who knew, two seemingly insignificant and introductory verses could bring such conviction and direction?
So whether I’m teaching my kids, or someone else, may I follow the example of Jesus.
May I be intentional.
May I work on building relationship.
May I have humility, and kill the pride that rages in me.
And when that time is right, may I teach face to face–eye to eye, always careful to consider their needs instead of my own, and relay how much I care.
How has your learning been enhanced when someone really cares?
What is your biggest obstacle in really teaching or sharing with others?
This week on to Matthew 5:3-5 (ESV)…
{WEEK 2} Matthew 5:3-5 (ESV) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. b a t p i s f t i t k o h b a t w m f t s b c b a t m f t s i t e
It’s never too late to join in … join together in memorizing the mount.
You can’t fail, if you don’t quit, and it would be such an honor to memorize with you!
Continuing on, in the counting of One Thousand Gifts {#1356-1370} with Ann and this community, and the Joy Dare of 2012…with April’s printable.
#1356 My mother-in-law and her stellar teaching help
#1357 Busy work days, that just fly right by
#1358 Co-op field trip, Orange County Heritage Museum
#1359 Loving parents visiting our home
#1360 My dad buying donuts, and Starbucks, and breakfast treats
#1361 Dinner date out with my parents, my son, and his friend
#1362 White easter dresses with flowers and lace
#1363 Cool evening walks in the open streets
#1364 More Easter clothes found, and the gift that allowed us to buy them
#1365 More foxgloves and sweet alyssum, lobelia, and vines
#1366 A pool finally plastered, and the kind men who put it on
#1367 A new group to join, cheering each other on so we’re not alone
#1368 Plane tickets bought to Allume and She Speaks…is it July or October yet???
#1369 A late night Twitter message from a friend, cheering me on as we Mount the Sermon on the Mount together
#1370 My sweet Savior’s sacrifice for me … His pain, and then His conquering! Wow, I am just thankful beyond any words at all…
Jacque! I love your blog and don’t really know where to start.. So important to teach within the context of relationship. Great point. Our pastor is working the way through sermon on the mount as well. We are only a couple wks into the series and I have already learned so much.
Also, I love that you are doing the 1000 Gift challenge. I am too– I just wrote down #732 this morning. Such a wonderful way to find joy in everyday living.
Looking forward to growing this connection! Blessings to you my new virtual friend!
Thank you so much for your kind and friendly words…so thankful you stopped by!
It is when we truly understand that we are all learners, and teachers, that we are well on our way to becoming whole. I so admire anyone that homeschool their children and, as you write, tell of how much they learned themselves. Wonderful!
great post…yeah for the memorizing…and yes…I believe authentic truth is lived out in relationships…and under our own roofs if the most real place to grow. Great insight…keep memorizing…I am loving it. maybe one day I will break out and get a FB. Blessings~
Yes, we ARE all learners, so nice to meet you today 🙂
Yay for memorizing!! And for the realness in the growth that happens amidst our families …and I’m voting yes for FB!
I am always blessed by your blog, Jacque. Thanks for the pictures of your kids……sooo cute!
Oh, thank you Jackie, I appreciate your encouragement!
I like how his disciples were eager to be near to Himand learn from Him! I’m afraid too often my attitude isn’t one that would draw people to want to be near or learn. “Self” is always tripping me up!
I am very bad at talking waaaay too much and not listening!! It always bugs me too, when I’m talking to someone and you can tell they aren’t listening. You’d think that would teach me…. 🙂
Hi, Jacque! Found you from She Speaks & this is such an encouragement. I could learn sooo much from you. I would love to homeschool our children. Of course, now they are just 2 and 4 months and my head is spinning & I pray for just a couple meaningful moments a day! It is a challenge right now for sure! I love your pictures! 🙂 And I want to also learn to teach with lots of praise and encouragement! Thanks for this post!! I look forward to meeting you!
Jacque,
I found you on Ann’s web site and I’m so glad!
Your writing is lovely as are the pictures. I love finding women with whom I share similar interests. In your case it’s a love of Jesus, family, and homeschooling. I imagine I’m older than you (47) and I only homeschool two children, but the vision you shared in this post describes why we have our children at home with us.
Although I live in Montana I spent every summer with my aunt in the Palisades and just returned from a visit to Westlake Village to see an old friend. I posted on that visit. I loved it. We walked on the beach in the sun. It was cold at home. You live in a beautiful, warm part of the country. I live in a beautiful, cold part of the country, but for our 100 degree summer days.
I read your post detailing your homeschool room and was blown away. It’s amazing. It’s a dream. So organized and clean and so much room! We “do school” all over the house, depending on what we’re studying. I posted a picture of our homeschool closet as a part of my 1,000 gifts/thankfulness list. Good grief. After five years, I think I would look more put together, but organization is not my strength. But my love of homeschooling and spending time with my children is.
Glad I found your blog. I’ll stop by again.
Laura
http://freedomathomeandschool.blogspot.com/
Laura! So very nice to meet you and so thankful you took the time to write this note 🙂 Blessings to you!
Yes, I can SO relate to the need to die to self…have a blessed week!
Hang in there friend…you are in the trenches for sure. What a delight it will be to attend She Speaks and get to meet you there 🙂