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Have you ever noticed that when you are able to handle issues at home in a calm, peaceful manner that your kids usually pick up on that too?
As a parent, you have the ability to choose what kind of atmosphere and attitude you will strew for your children.
I hope you have been enjoying The Art of Strewing.
Strewing A Peaceful Environment
Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. -Proverbs 17:1
Whether you realize it or not, you strew for your children every day by what kind of attitudes you have and what example you set.
The one thing you don’t have to worry about kids noticing is how you behave.
My kids may not always hear what I say, but they watch me. They study my reactions, they remember my demeanor, and they know exactly when I am about to get angry.
Every day I am faced with the challenge of whether I will strew grace, peace, humility, and gentleness – or if I will spread strife, anger, bitterness, harshness, and pride.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. -1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Will I edify my children and build up their worth? Or will I tear them down and strew doubt into their hearts?
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. -Ephesians 4:29
Strewing begins with the attitude of your heart. Learning about math is important, but it pales in comparison to learning how to live peaceably with others, how to give grace, and to mature emotionally and spiritually.
I don’t always succeed at this. I get upset. I want more for myself rather than having to deal with all their needs. But God’s mercies are new each morning, and one of the best experiences you can strew for your children is you humbly coming and asking their forgiveness.
Strewing By Example In Your Walk With Christ
One of the most popular questions on the Christian Unschooling group I am in is “How do your kids learn about God, the Bible, and prayer in unschooling?“
The assumption behind that question is tricky. Since unschoolers don’t require their kids to do schoolwork or participate in every family activity, how do we train them in the knowledge of the Lord?
The answer is – we strew by example.
If you think about it, Jesus taught through strewing quite a bit. They didn’t have a formal name for it back then, but he trained the disciples through stories, through hands-on lessons, and through living his life in front of them. The disciples were never required to participate – and often poo-pooed what Jesus did.
Unschoolers do much the same:
- We show our children how important prayer is by letting them see us pray.
- We strew questions and discussion about Scripture to grow as a family.
- They see us living out our faith every day -and that allows us to share with them God’s truth.
Basically, we strew the things of God in their path the same way we would with a spouse or a neighbor. Christ comes up naturally in our lives, and the Spirit presents us with opportunities to train and disciple our children.
When we are driving in the car, or sitting at home, and someone pops into my mind that I feel I should pray for I don’t hide that from my children. We often pray for accidents that we drive by, our own frustrations and attitudes while dealing with people, and news that we get from family and friends.
Reading Scripture together usually happens around the dinner table where we have in-depth discussions. Our kids see and hear most of our walk with God as we live and learn together.
By doing these things, we strew an atmosphere where kids naturally find the Bible important to read, Jesus worthy of getting to know, and prayer vital to faith.
Strewing in the spiritual and emotional realms can go both ways, just like strewing resources. You need to be careful about what seed you scatter.
What attitudes and environments have you been strewing lately?
This post is part of the iHomeschool Network Hopscotch – go check out some of the other series that are being featured (and check out the giveaways that are being hosted there)!
Here are the lovely ladies that are participating in the Autumn 2012 Hopscotch:
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