This I know
Thursday, Jun 2, 2005
I always knew this would happen; I just didn’t think it’d happen so soon. I figured that I had a couple more years until my kids began to surpass me in the knowledge venue. I mean, my firstborn is only finishing first grade. I’ve got some time, right?
Whatever. Teach ‘em to read, and it’s all over.
Ever since my husband promised our son a Slurpee for every book in the Chronicles of Narnia series that he finished, my Braveheart-in-training has turned into an Einstein-wanna-be. I’m sure it’s just a phase. So, while it came as a shock to me, it really should have been no surprise at all: my son knows stuff that I don’t know. I overheard him tell his sister that Jupiter has 16 moons and is 11 times bigger than Earth. That was after some jazz about Uranus’ rings. (Uranus has rings?)
Yes, I checked. Yes, he was right. Yes, I’m reading up on it.
He has no clue that I’m shaking in my boots sandals. The truth is, I feel inadequate and overwhelmed sometimes at the task before me: to raise them to be faithful (not necessarily knowledgable).Yet, God chose me to be the mother of children. Not just any children, but these children. He handpicked these precious ones before the foundations of the earth to be here– right here– with me, under my care at this moment in time, so that I could lead them to Jesus.
And for now, that’s all I need to know.
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He handpicked these precious ones before the foundations of the earth to be here, right here, with me, under my care at this moment in time, so that I could lead them to Jesus.
AMEN!
Praise the God “…who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” (II Timothy 2:9)
Comment by Heather L. Sanders (June 2, 2005 @ 4:43 pm )
I marvel at that too—I have five kids here, one in heaven, and one on the way…to think these particular little ones were created to not only be put under our care as “our” children, but to be siblings to each other is humbling. Being entrusted to raise children is no small thing.
Comment by mopsy (June 2, 2005 @ 5:12 pm )
I know exactly what you mean. When my daughter was only five she was delighted to know that I could not spell restaurant (still not sure) and she could. I had many easy reader books that I thought she would enjoy reading during those early years, but in first grade she started reading Les Miserables and works by Dickens. She found my love of Louisa May Alcott too “fluffy” for her taste. In fact, one reason we began homeschooling was because she said the private Christian school she was attending was just “baby stuff.” Just because our children may be ahead of us in IQ points does not mean that they are ahead of us in experience, wisdom, and practical judgment. It is particularly important for us as parents to depend on God’s wisdom.
Comment by Ruthie, A.K.A. Calla Lilly (June 2, 2005 @ 5:19 pm )
Might I suggest that you begin blogging in code?
Comment by Doug (June 2, 2005 @ 6:40 pm )
I don’t get it, Doug? Are you impressed with my ‘Hspace =”15″ Vspace= “8″; align= left ‘ stuff?
Yep, I was surprised it worked too. Now, I know three codes.
Comment by Amy (June 2, 2005 @ 6:44 pm )
He’s learning just what he ought to be…the vastness of God’s creation and more about things having to do with Daddy’s calling.
I have one caution…as one who has been there and has a very brilliant oldest child, be cautious about what they read. Just because they can, doesn’t mean they should. Even if they are reading classics, if they have mature themes it may be too much for their innocence to handle. I would err on the side of protecting them from too much too soon rather than worry that they are reading to their ability. We tend to burst our buttons over their intellectual accomplishments (I put myself in this boat, too), but we need to praise their godly behavior more than we do their intellect.
Off soapbox now ;-).
Comment by Carmon (June 2, 2005 @ 10:43 pm )
When the movie “Alexander the Great” was being advertised I heard that he was being portrayed as a homosexual. When we saw a commercial about the movie my 14 year old said it looked like it might be good. I told him what I had heard and he said, “That can’t be true, he killed his best friend because he thought he was trying to steal his wife.” (Something to that effect) I asked him where he heard that and he told me the History channel. He watches that every day when he gets home from school. I wish my brain were still a sponge.
Comment by Tim (June 2, 2005 @ 10:54 pm )
Carmon,
Thank you for that caution; I know that many people have strong reservations about the Chronicles. Having previously been through the series a few times already as a family read aloud, we do know what they’re reading. My husband has decided that these books are a good thing, though I know that that could be debated.
As a side note, this is the same kid that said, “Heeeeeey… I was born on my birthday.” And, “Mom, I know how to spell V-C-R.” So, I’m not entirely convinced that I have a genius on my hands.
Just a good reader!
In the end, there are a lot of good books and activities that vie for our attention and time. Maybe good questions for our family to consider would be: Is this the best use of my time? Could we be doing/reading/thinking about something better right now? (Any suggestions?) Will engaging in this help me do the work that God has called me to do with more excellence? In other words, does it sharpen or tear down? Does it help me love Christ more?
I remember a little while ago, my husband cleaned up our yard and had about 10-15 garbage cans of yard waste to fill. #1 and #3 kids lasted about an hour before they began dilly dallying, while #2 stayed the course and worked late into the day. My husband took her out for a Slurpee to reward her dilligence.
In the same way, finishing a challenging chapter book is an exercise in dilligence, but I wonder if #1 kid sees it as such? (I don’t know.) In the end, I’d rather hard workers than proud pontificators. They’re the ones that’ll take care of me in my old age.
(!)
I so appreciate everyone’s input. Thanks for writing, all!
Comment by Amy (June 3, 2005 @ 8:52 am )
Doug,
Side note: Valerie fixed me up so now I just have a “left align” code in the image text! Yahoo! More brain space freed up! I was getting dangerously close to overload with HTML code taking up RAM space in my head. Whew!
Comment by Amy (June 3, 2005 @ 11:43 am )
That’s sort of what I meant when mentioning my oldests’ wealth of knowledge. He, too, reads tons and remembers things I haven’t time to understand. But he still forgets to brush his teeth and feed the bird (hence new schedule on fridge lol) They are still in dire need of guidance even if they do ‘know’ more than we do!
Comment by Lyn (June 3, 2005 @ 11:52 am )
I remember when my oldest son (now 15yrs. old and taller than I am…yikes) was about 5yrs. old and would go on and on about things he’d learned watching Magic School Bus and Bill Nye the Science Guy on PBS. I had survived his “Barney” stage with only about 1 remaining brain cell, so to hear him talk about Ralphie’s digestive system or how the immune system works was music to my ears! LOL
Don’t worry, Amy, you’ll be able to stay a step or two ahead of your kiddos. We’re wrapping up our 10th year of the homeschooling adventure. This fall I’ll be attempting, for the first time ever, to “officially” homeschool all 5 of our kids, ranging in age from 15 down to 6. Thankfully our focus on reading and math as being priorities payed off in the later years, and my older kids need very little “tutelage” from me.
Aren’t the minds of children wonderful?? Fearfully and wonderfully made!
Blessings,
Mx5
Comment by Mx5 (June 3, 2005 @ 9:09 pm )
Saturday Summary
Hube’s Cube discusses the “mishandling of the Quran” at Gitmo and in his post “another image problem for teachers” he ruminates on what the Brooklyn School of Education is requiring. (you may have to scroll down…permalinks d…
Trackback by The Examined Life (June 4, 2005 @ 11:30 am )
[...] culating grades. He also is asking for a Mercedes. Amy lets us know that her children have surpassed her in intelligence. Inkblots reminds us of an “odd holiday”. Jared h [...]
Pingback by The Examined Life » Blog Archive » Saturday Summary (June 4, 2005 @ 5:30 pm )
Umm, Amy, I’m in the same boat with you on this one, but actually, Jupiter has more than 16 moons. Try 63.
Yeah, imagine my suprise…
Who Knew?
Comment by /tim (January 18, 2006 @ 3:14 pm )