Watercolored Rhythms

It has been that season, once again, when I take a step back

to evaluate my life, our homeschool, and how I spend my time.

... Often, a difficult season as I examine myself...

but a fruitful and necessary one, as well.

 There have been so many changes in our lives

these past couple of years, especially, 

and I am still learning how to reconcile 

the different aspects of our journey...

As I was researching various topics,

I came across an interesting idea that I was glad to try...

a little added fun, creativity, serenity and beauty 

to my plan-making process...

... watercoloring...

A schedule... routine... 

order of the rhythms of our days ...

needed to be planned...

and what a delightful way to do so!

idea borrowed from here

left to right: yearly calendar; weekly rhythms, and daily

Shalom!

~ Christina

"Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time."

Colossians 4:5 

We Do Not Hide Them From Our Children

My people, give ear to my Torah, Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I open my mouth in a parable; I utter riddles of old,
Which we have heard and known, For our fathers have related them to us.
We do not hide them {His Torah and works} from their children,
Relating to the generation to come the praises of {YHVH}  יהוה,
And His strength and His wonders which He has done.
For He raised a witness in Yaʽaqoḇ, And set a Torah in Yisra’ĕl,
Which He commanded our fathers, To teach them to their children;
That it might be known to a generation to come, To children who would be born,
To rise up and relate them {His works, His Torah} to their children,
And place their trust in Elohim, And not forget the works of Ěl,
But watch {keep; guard; observe} over His commands,
And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation,
A generation which did not prepare {set right} its heart,
Whose spirit was not steadfast to Ěl.
Psalm {Tehillim} 78:1-8


As I sat this morning with our children, reading from the Torah,
I thought of the above passage... about the command we have to teach our children
{found in various places throughout Scripture}...
and my heart filled with a renewed joy... and humility.
What a responsibility we have to teach them His instructions... His Torah...
and tell them of all His mighty works...
but, oh... what a blessing it is, as well...
to not hide His Torah from our children...
to raise up a generation that loves Him and keeps His ways...
returning to the old path, where the good way is {Jeremiah 6:16}.

Abba, help us to train them up in the way they should go.

May we give ear... listen...
and may we rise up... obey.

Shema!


~ Christina

The Practice of Raising Children - A Blueprint

{a checklist, of sorts, from a book I am currently reading}

• Accept that your children are both unique and ordinary
• Teach them to honor their parents and to respect others - family, friends, community
• Teach them to be resilient, self-reliant, and courageous
• Teach them to be grateful for their blessings
• Teach them the value of work
• Teach them to make their table an altar - to approach food with an attitude of moderation, celebration, and sanctification
• Teach them to accept rules and to exercise self-control
• Teach them the preciousness of the present moment
• Teach them about Elohim

... Some things to ponder.

Abba, grant us wisdom that we may train them up in they way they should go.

Shalom!
~ Christina