Reflections

"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." 

-2 Corinthians 3:5

As my 8-year-old son and I observed the craters on the moon for science class, his simple observation of the moon's reflection left a profound teaching on both our minds.

"Mom," he asked, "the moon really has no light of its own, does it?"

"No," I replied. "It simply reflects the light from the sun. If the sun was gone, the moon wouldn't shine either."

Thinking deeply, he looked at me and said, "That's the same way we would be without Jesus."

Amazed at his understanding of the two concepts, I answered, "Yes, that's right honey."

As homeschooling parents, we like to think we are the ones who teach our children. But anyone who has homeschooled for more than a few years knows this fact: Apart from Christ, we are totally inadequate to teach our children. No college degree, teaching certificate or earthly intelligence can prepare you to teach your children the right lesson at the right time or how to incorporate into your lesson the true wisdom that comes from above. Like the moon without the sun, we have no understanding on our own to impart the truths that will forever change our children's lives.

The good new, however, is that you have Jesus, the "light of the world" in you (see John 9:5). Not only are you filled with his presence while teaching your children, but you also have the ability to reflect God's love to others by shining hope and encouragement into a very dark world. Just as Moses needed his shining face veiled after being with God (see Exodus 34:29-35), your challenge as a homeschooling parent is to live in close obedience to God, to reflect his light into your family and the world. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you" (Isaiah 60:1-2).

Lord, let me reflect your love and wisdom as I homeschool my children. Reveal any sin in my heart that would block your light from shining in my life. In Christ's name I pray, amen.

-By Janet Tatman from the Homeshcool Mom's Bible; p. 104