Just a few more thoughts on perspective...

The other day I wrote about perspective.  Today, I have just a few more things to add.

Teenagers.  If there is one area I feel a majority of people are off in their perspective, it is with teens.  If you have younger children I want to tell you not to dread the teen years.  Everyone "warned" us how terrible these years were going to be and I would like to report they were wrong.  Teenagers are intelligent, funny, caring, and have a lot to offer.  We are thoroughly enjoying our time with our teens, in fact we've had an extra one here for a few days and I couldn't be happier.  If you think I'm saying they're perfect, you read it wrong.  The teen years present new challenges.  It is a season of change for both the child and the parent.  I've heard it said that teens can bring out the worst in a parent and I've told you before that I developed a yelling problem when my boys hit the teen years.  It is true.  I yell when I lose my perspective.  But with proper perspective this period in a child's life can be very rewarding.  I must add that what you are doing with your children from 0 to 12 will show up when they are 13 to 18.  You will reap what you sow.  Pray and ask God to give you His perspective on the teen years.  Don't be discouraged!  Look for the good in your teen and you will find it.  Pray.  A lot.

Homeschooling.  It is a ton of work.  A ton.  One can lose perspective easily.  Don't compare your children to other children.  Don't compare your home school with government schools.  Most importantly, don't give up!  Pray daily and ask God for a filling of His grace.  You can trust Him.  He is faithful!  Do the best you can and enjoy your children.  When you feel your perspective slipping talk to another mom a little further down the road of homeschooling, or schedule yourself some time of refreshment - perhaps a home school conference.  There are a lot of fabulous books chock full of encouragement.  If you need a book recommendation message me.  I've never met a homeschooling mom that wasn't working really hard to educate her children.  I've heard the naysayers comment on such mothers but I've personally never seen it.  I've been homeschooling for over 15 years and I've rubbed shoulders with A LOT of homeschooling moms.  I've never met one who wasn't working diligently.  Most moms I speak to are going above and beyond.  Stop fretting.  Your child is going to learn all that he needs to know and so much more.  Make learning fun and read, read, read!  (If you need more info than I can put in this little paragraph send me an email.)  Approach your homeschooling from a perspective of preparing your child to do whatever the Lord calls him to do.  Your preparation may look a little different from what people are used to but pay no mind to that.  Prepare your children's hearts for Kingdom work.  God will take care of the rest.

Husbands.  A while back I read a quote that said, "Some women spend so much time trying to make good husbands that they forget to be good wives".  Don't do that.  You can lose perspective if you start believing that if he would just do, or say, or be what you want, then everything would be better.  Not true.  Show your husband all the love and respect you possibly can.  Kindness will go so much further than any nagging or complaining ever could.  Focus on being the best wife you can be and forget about making him a better husband.  You will win him over with your sweet spirit.  Place priority on your relationship with him and teach the children to respect him by your example.  Your perspective makes all the difference in your marriage.  One more thing - pray for your husband!

I'm certain we could chat about perspective for some time.  There's a lot more to each of these subjects than what I have quickly written here.  I have to save my thoughts for another day since my time for writing has once again come to an end.  There is a little one in my house ready for nap time and much school work yet to be done.  As always, thanks for reading!