Caught You Learning!

By Hally Franz –

My plan was straightforward, equitable and reasonable—I thought. My twelve-year-old would spend one-half hour each day practicing his trombone, and sixty minutes daily (Monday – Friday) reading a book of his choosing. His eight-year-old sister would dedicate one-half  hour each on multiplication tables, reading and writing a paragraph. The tracking chart was ready and start date scheduled for Tuesday, June first.My well-formulated summer school program hardly got off the ground before problems arose. Ball, 4-H and church camps, VBS and the pool were always interfering with the educational routine. Because each of these endeavors is worthwhile, the three R’s and “bone” haven’t gotten the attention they deserved. When we left for vacation at the end of June, I knew better than to suggest we take studies with us. My husband Tim and the kids unanimously agreed last summer that schoolwork on vacation was completely twisted and totally unacceptable.

All wasn’t lost, though. Where there is a new experience or place, there is learning, whether they want it or not! I love our yearly vacation primarily for this reason. Our family trips aren’t exotic, usually driving distance from our Missouri home. However, each has been special and memorable.

We’ve visited homes of Frank Lloyd Wright, Laura Ingalls Wilder and The Vanderbilts, as well as Amish settlements and Native American dwellings. We’ve seen battlefields and ball fields, state capitals and “The Mustard Capital of the World.” It’s been fun and educational.

This year was Disney! There were countless fabulous rides, shows and exhibits. I was awed by the talents of stilt walkers at Animal Kingdom, the beauty of costumes and sets and the engineering marvels in buildings and rides. Everywhere, I saw exciting career options that might one day be for a child of mine. My son is interested in landscaping and gardening, so I pointed out the cool factor to be a landscape architect at one of the parks or working with the gardening projects at Epcot’s Future World. Since my daughter likes sewing and gymnastics, I talked to her about costume design or performing in a show.

God provides lots of opportunities to teach. We’re to teach our children about the Bible, citizenship and service, and the beautiful and fascinating world that He has given us to enjoy. God wants us to teach all sorts of good and godly things to our children, even if they forget they’re learning!    

PRAYER: Father, help me teach my children Your Word, ways, and wonders. Help me maximize the moments You have given me with them and raise Christian servants for You.

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto they children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, KJV).

Today’s devotion is by Hally Franz. Hally is a former teacher and high school guidance counselor, turned homemaker. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school, teaching at her home church, leading projects in 4-H, writing, reading, scrapbookin, and rousing (though, sometimes, not pretty) zumba classes.