“Lent is a time set aside to reorientate ourselves, to clarify our minds, to slow down, recover from distraction, to focus on the values of God’s kingdom and on the value he has set on us and on our neighbours”
Malcolm Guite, “Word in the Wilderness”
Hello Friends!
These are words I need to hear. I so easily become distracted and lack clarity especially in my praying. I can become caught up in the cacophony of voices calling for my attention and allegiance and yet not set aside time to hear the still, small voice of Almighty God, quietly whispering, “this is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). Lent is a gift of a season to incorporate new habits which enable us to tune in to God’s truth giving voice more regularly.
I wonder if you observe Lent in any way? We had a fun time recording an episode for Rooted to Flourish podcast which included some inspiration for fasting, some suggestions for Lent rhythms and of course some resources.
May we all know the peace of God in the midst of a chaotic world as we are able to come before Him in repentance and trust.
Molly x
Nature notes and homestead jottings
With Candlemas passed, a colourful carpet of aconites and crocuses joining the snowdrops, and some tentative evening birdsong I’m beginning to sense that winter is making way for spring. We could yet have some cold, even freezing spells, but certainly some warmer days in between.
I set myself a list of outdoor jobs for half term which was, of course, far too long. I did however, pull up a whole tangle of brambles from our front garden which each year I hope will look more like a cared for cottage garden and less like a neglected wasteland. I pruned the currants and berries in our fruit cage and spent a good many wet hours pulling up all the grass and weeds which had seeded themselves on top of the semi permeable matting I had laid a couple of years ago. I think the problem might be that I then threw a load of compost around the bushes and this spread and provided a wonderful nursery bed for all these unwanted incomers!
I’ve cleared the poly tunnel and spread some well rotted manure (which I got fresh from a farmer last spring) on to the raised beds. I think they will need another barrowful. Indoors, our seed potatoes are ready to set out to chit. Next up is to start some seeds off in the polytunnel. I can’t plant anything in the veg plot yet as the chickens are roaming around and I can’t quite bear to confine them to their allotted space under the old apple tree.
Homeschool journal
Over half term myself and Clare, one of my Rooted to Flourish podcast buddies were invited to speak at an online event held by CHESS for those curious about home education. Our remit was to offer some advice about the nuts and bolts of starting out. How do you know what to do? What does your day look like? Clare spoke into the transition from school education to home education and I offered a few thoughts for those starting our right from the beginning. I thought I’d share a few of these here, for anyone who is curious….
– Establish rhythms which work you. While not all families work well with routines, I’ve found it immensely helpful to have a pre arranged pattern for our days and weeks. This can obviously change, but it’s like a hat stand, providing structure on which we can hang all our activities. Within this, you might like to include meal times, snack times, bed times, after lunch quiet time, and a time for reading aloud and going outdoors.
-Take it slowly. You will already be learning everyday; learning to use cutlery, learning to tidy up toys, learning as you go for walks or to the park, learning as you read stories together. Home education is simply a gradual extension of this. When you reach the point where you feel your child is ready for a bit more structured learning (I’d suggest this is different for every child), you could add in one small activity. This might be some phonics games, some maths games, a jigsaw puzzle of the world, a craft session. Once this is established in your routine, you can add something else.
– Jot down what is important to you. For us it’s relationship; relationship with God, within our family and with others. Keeping this in mind will help direct how you fill your days.
– Home education will look different for each family. One of the joys of home education is that we can adapt it to our own unique blend of personalities, ages, abilites, and hobbies. Some families will have an emphasis on sport, some on music; for some hospitality will be important, for others serving in their community. Try not to compare…you are unique! To help consolidate your family identity you might like to have a go at making your own Family coat of arms.
Our home ed has obviously changed over the seasons as a rummage through my old blog posts reveals. However, fairly consistently throughout each season have been Bible reading and praying together at the start of the day, after lunch quiet time (and prayer time for me), read aloud time and time outdoors.
– Focus on what you enjoy. Make memories, nurture your relationships, explore and create. Have fun together!
Musings for our time
As this has been a longer post than normal, just a quick thought here. I was walking by this stretch of water recently with a friend. We were pondering weighty issues; how to prepare our children for what we both perceive is going to be a season of increased pressure on Bible believing Christians as well as time when life in general will become more difficult. There was a slight breeze that day, and throughout the whole time we talked I could hear the gentle, rhythmic lapping of waves in the background. It felt like God’s reassurance of peace in the midst of it all; peace in our hearts as we keep our eyes focused on Him and interludes of peace in our lives as we walk in His ways.
Mothering through the seasons 