Another Oldie But Goodie

Madame President

It's that time of the year again.  Time to sharpen our pencils and our wits, and head back to the pathway of learning and enlightenment.  Actually it's less of a pathway and more like the yellow brick road.  The scarecrows will walk a little further, exploring their passions and talent.  The lions will bravely find their way home by heart and the tin woman at our house will begin each day by saying "Class is now in session."   For many homeschooling moms, it's a time of year where we wonder if we are quite up to the challenges of the coming year and how we'll cope with each of them.  Flashbacks of chickenpox outbreaks, jello food fights and rainy day field trips keep us up long after our bedtimes staring at the ceiling and wondering what tales of bravery we'll have to flaunt after the school year is over.  Whether it's public school or homeschool, there are always new and exciting lessons to learn for mom and child alike.  My oldest will be learning to drive this year.  I will be learning how not to over react this year..a mild prediction.
 I think that one of the biggest challenges is finding time to become the person that we are while balancing the needs of the rest of the family.  This starts with the basics like time to dress and perform our morning rituals without having to play diplomat to the feuding cereal factions in the hallway.  Apple Jacks versus the Fruit Loops, literally.  For instance, what to do when a piece of paper slyly crept under the door followed, believe it or not, by a pencil and a rather bold request for a signature from some small person suffering from temporary insanity.  I was incredulous!  I said the only thing that I could without bursting a blood vessel.  "Even the president of the United States gets to visit the john without having the FBI slip documents under the door for his immediate inspection.  Just how big a hurry are you in and do you really want to make this field trip?"  I wonder later if I've been too harsh but not for long.  In contrast, I also have warm, fuzzy memories of our drives to school in the winter when the sky was an inky black slate  and the day's mistakes yet unwritten.  My favorite feature of our little house was the attached garage so that I could bundle up in my favorite lap blanket and slippers, tuck my coffee cup safely next to me with the neighbors none the wiser.  We'd drive to school in a drowsy, warm cocoon of music with the aroma of coffee swirling through air.  Sometimes they'd even have their own little travel mugs of chicory roast and I could see them in my mirror as they appeared deep in thought, sipping and planning their day.  The memory of lighting scented candles after work and baking cookies to the endless parade of carols on the radio makes me look forward each year to the chill that autumn brings.  I guess it's those little memories that ground us and remind us of all the blessings we have while offering courage for the journey ahead.  So while we wait for our books to arrive in the mail with anticipation, I am fortified by the gentle reminder that I have a Father that is faithful in all things and will not leave me without His help and guidance.  As I slip a prayer heavenward, I don't have to wonder if He's too busy or if I'm on the schedule for the day.