Homeroom

Here it is.

When I first saw this room, before we moved here, before we even settled on homeschooling, I envisioned this.

Our 'homeroom.'

Oh!  I experience ever so much joy and satisfaction in organizing and decorating and preparing, in gathering books and setting the stage...and yet there is an even more important 'room' to attend to.

The 'homeroom' of my heart.

"Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life." ~Charlotte Mason

Yes, an atmosphere.  Not an atmosphere determined by Montessori learning tools or Waldorf art supplies or schoolroom posters or cute, coordinating decor.  But an atmosphere of a Spirit.  A Heart. A home culture. An attitude.

Whatever spills from my heart, they will soak up. What I pour out, they will drink. Intuitively.

It is, My Best Beloved, a matter of the kind of Spirit in these walls--(oh yes, Beloved, we are reading Just So Stories again and I'm thinking in Kipling language tonight...So!)--it's an atmosphere grown from a heart pouring out what's within.

What's in the homeroom of my heart?

Without the Holy Spirit of God filling all, dwelling, welcomed, honored here--it is but empty, wasted space.

Without His Word and Strength and the Fruit His Spirit bears through grace... this homeschooling routine will fail to bring forth the richness and culture and life that I desire it to.

Without love and compassion and gentleness and patience and joy and celebration and the leading of the Spirit of the Living God, I waste--and they will wither.

So I pray.

Lord, fill me with your grace and strength to help me.  You know I need it all the time.  I am weak--be strong in me. Help me to deal only love to my children.  Let my words, my reactions, my expressions, mirror you.  Fill the homeroom of my heart with Your Spirit again today.  And fill their hearts with your Spirit of wisdom and revelation.  Let them be receptive to your love and grace.  May our home be at atmosphere of your loving presence.  I know I will fail, so already I determine to fall on you again and always.  Help me when I stray and be ever showing me the way.  Amen.