Something Bigger Than Ourselves

[from the archives]

As I pondered my parenting today, I thought, “There isn’t much to write about.” I had been in my room working nearly all day on ministry web-sites, blog set-up, phone calls and facebook messages, only stopping long enough to make suggestions to Annie about how to iron an old dress-up dress and to talk to my neighbor about the naughty actions of my dog.

It was nearing time for me to prepare dinner when my husband called and informed me that an out-of-town friend was going to stop by. We had an opportunity to minister to him, so my husband and I quickly decided to go out to eat with him.

I passed through the noisy and excited living room happenings to Rachel’s room and asked her if she would make dinner so that we could go out. She quickly agreed to take over, and I went back to the many things I needed to finish up before leaving, knowing that she would skillfully bring dinner together for the kids from start to finish.

As I was thinking that I didn’t actually do much direct parenting today, I began to realize that it’s heart-level parenting that made the ministry efforts of today possible. While I was being productive in my room, all my children were being productive toward their own education too. They continued to be productive and actively learning even as Tim and I left for the evening.

The three younger ones were making a movie. They’ve been inspired by a home-made movie that was recently posted on the Lifestyle of Learning™ Kids forum. They were filming all over the house and outside, making different scenes from different views. It really did take ALL day, and all three of the kids reported to me that they were kind and loving to each other through it all.

Phillip, after working on his pre-calculus, was making shoulder armor for his knight’s outfit and coming to my web-site aid many times throughout the day. Oh, I guess I did stop my work long enough to help Phillip figure out what was wrong with the sewing machine. He was sewing some Velcro onto his knight’s tunic.

Rachel was pressing into her college math after passing a CLEP test and receiving college credit for Introduction to Computing in the morning.

All of the kids were pressing forward in productivity and skill building—some in their God-given abilities and bents, and others in their areas of weakness—motivated from the inside-out. This is a result of much heart-level training. I’ve been instructing them in the sort of character that is needed to move themselves forward the way they do, so that in this day when I was very busy, they did not waste time in boredom or self-indulgence. They were self-governed, doing valuable things because of their heart-level character that has taken years of training to form.

All the kids were getting along well and helping each other, especially the younger three who were operating as a team. They had a unified goal, and by the noise-level and laughter I could tell that they were delighted to be working together; this is harmony. They can do this because I have worked in their hearts, addressing their attitudes, intentions and motivations leading them away from self-centeredness at every turn. I have directed their hearts toward each other in love, so that their unity, harmony and teamwork was possible, and very fun!

Rachel’s ability to take up the responsibility for dinner comes from years of working with me in the kitchen. When she was small she sat on the counter beside me, as she grew I taught her to accomplish parts of meals, and finally by the time she was twelve she could make whole meals. She’s prepared with skill for times of service like this one. Her quick willingness to take over for me comes from her heart. She takes on my concerns as her own because I’ve won her heart by doing the same to her.

Self-government, skill, loving relationships, and Christlike character are making it possible for me, along with my family to be involved in something bigger than ourselves. My husband and I were free to minister to our friend, and impact his family relationships. This is heart-level parenting paying off. What a blessing! Thank You Lord!

Learn more about a Lifestyle of Learning™ here. You too can develop vision for your family to become useful for something bigger than just building your own life. Read Marilyn Howshall’s ebooks Empowering the Transfer of Moral Values and Faith, and Develop Vision for Your Family.

[originally posted August 2010]