One of my top priorities as a homeschooling mom was to build godly character into my children. Little did I know that God was going to use my kids and my homeschool to build MY character, as well! In the process of teaching and training my children, I often had those character building days. You know, the ones where the difficult child was more difficult than usual, and the whole day was a character building day.
While working to train the character of the child, I struggled with patience and kindness, and God made it a character building day for ME as well as the child. (I often referred to my difficult children as my personal character builders.)
On those hard character building days, remember:
1. Character is more important than getting through the academics for the day.
Children must learn to obey first, or you can never serve as his teacher. Teaching him to obey, to do his work and stick with it, to follow instructions, not to interrupt, and much more requires your diligent supervision and follow-through. That is the work of parenting really. Unless your children learn to listen to your directions and follow them, it doesn’t matter how great your resources are. The first and foremost subject to teach is good behavior born of self-discipline. (Character)
2. Taking time to correct and train a child in godly character is an OPPORTUNITY, not an interruption.
It’s easy to get frustrated when we have to stop what we’re doing once again, and take time to go deal with that wrong attitude or behavior. However, taking time to point them to God’s Word and train them in godly character and behavior, is much more important than whatever else you may be doing at the time.
3. This is something you need to MAKE TIME for, and include in your daily schedule of priorities.
I often have moms ask me how I made time to fit in Bible memory and character lessons with our kids, and STILL have time to get the academics done.
I believe that when you give God that first part of your day and start off with His Word and character lessons, He will bless the remaining time. Your academic time will be more productive, and you find you get more done when the kids have a right spirit, and are developing in character.
God says “Add to your faith, virtue (character), and to virtue, knowledge.” By putting Bible and character first you are following God’s intended plan for your priorities, and will reap His blessing.
I’d like to encourage you to GET EXCITED about training your kids in character, and maybe even growing in character along with them!
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