Patriot Moms

I know they are receiving a great college preparatory education. They have wonderful friends and excellent teachers in the classroom. It's fun, and they absolutely love it. But what is the main reason we choose the University Model for our children's education year after year?

For me, it goes back to Deuteronomy 6. I want to use every moment I can to pass along to my children the heritage of the Lord. I want to "talk to them along the way" as we're going about our day. Some of the greatest opportunities I have had to talk with my children have been during school days at home in our satellite classroom.

It simply gives us more opportunities to have important conversations as they come up. When they were little, they would ask questions like, "Why is the sky blue?" It's at these precious moments, that I get the chance to point them to our Creator.

As they have gotten older, their questions have become more complex. Many times I have to smile and say, "I don't know, but let's look that up." Even still, I have the opportunity to point them to God and His Word. With the time I get to spend with them because of the University Model schedule, I am able to teach them to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." By His Grace, I get the opportunity to "diligently teach His Word to my children, and talk with them when we sit in our house, and when we walk by the way, when we wake up, and when we go to sleep."

The question I always pose to myself at this time each year is, "Am I taking every moment captive to teach these truths to my children?" Is there a moment, an hour, or day that goes by that I forget and get caught up in my "to do" list?

I loved what Dr. Plumlee shared with us in the Providence parent training seminar Friday morning. He shared how each day in his home they have a "quiet time." Between 6:30 and 7 p.m. each evening, their family unplugs. No TV, no ipods, no telephones, just quiet time spent alone with God. Each family member and each child picks a different place in the house, or outside, and simply reads Gods Word, prays, and just sits still waiting on God.

My hope and prayer for each of us as Patriot moms at the beginning of this exciting time of year is that we will spend time in Gods Word, pray, and just listen and wait upon God so that when the moments arise during our days with our children, we will remember to point our children to Christ.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

"Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."