The Proverbs Challenge -- Day 1

Growing up, my dad told me that "A Proverb a day will keep the Devil away."  He encouraged us to read one chapter of Proverbs each day of the month since there are 31 chapters and 31 days.  I often begin the month well.  But mid-month, life gets super busy and my reading slacks off.  Guilt usually kicks in a week later so I have time to at least catch the last few chapters of Proverbs before a new month begins. 

Recently, I encountered two women who handwrite the Bible.  At first, it seemed really odd but they stressed the sheer amount of concentration and discipline that is required to write out God's Word.  They read it and then say it in their mind as they are writing it and then reread the entire chapter.  They shared how copying the Bible awakened them and transformed their relationship with God with each book they copied. The more I learned about it, the more I wanted to try it...but next month.  Then next month became the month after and so forth.  However, today, September 1, seemed like a good day as any to try the Proverbs challenge. 

My main goal with the Proverbs challenge is to cultivate a spirit of priority and discipline.  It's easy to read through a few chapters of the Bible every day and to pray while on the go, but it's harder to slow down long enough to internalize God's Word and to have those extended prayer times without any distractions.  I have been in a rut and want something fresh rather than study through another devotional.  I want God without all the extras and nothing gets one back to the basics like copying straight from God's Word.

Proverbs is one of those "hindsight is 20/20" type of books for me.  It is filled with wisdom that I wish I had put into practice because it would have saved a lot of tears, heartaches and mistakes.  I tend to cross-reference Proverbs with life lessons so there are notes and dates of painful life lessons in the margin next to their corresponding Proverbs so I don't forget those lessons learned (it's like a diary of sorts).  However, there are so many vital lessons in Proverbs that spare a person of trouble if heeded, so I figured this would be my chance to learn without all of the hard lessons time around.  There was no other place to begin aside from time in prayer and simply sitting down with a fresh notebook and my Bible.  

As I began copying Proverbs 1, I was waiting for this big, huge life-altering revelation to jump out at me.  Instead, I got distracted by what it must have been like to be Solomon, David, Moses, Paul or Peter.  They were close enough to God to hear Him and to pen the facets of His heart.  It almost felt too sacred to continue writing out Proverbs 1 because I know how unholy, how human I am.  At that moment, God reminded me that He chose imperfect beings to write down His Words.  These men were human in every way yet God redeemed them and had a plan to use them despite their imperfections.  He had a relationship with them and used them right where they were at.  But the key is that these men were living in such a way that they were attuned to God's voice.  Very thought-provoking.

About halfway through Proverbs 1, I thought about all the things my child and I have read together over the years in our missionary studies.  We've spent a lot of time talking about the 10/40 window and just how many unreached people groups there are that do not have a Bible in their own language.  I couldn't help but echo some of the prayers we've poured out for these people groups.  I kept thinking of the Bible translators who have a vision and calling from God to learn a new language so they can copy not only Proverbs but the rest of the Bible, word for word, in a language that has never seen the Word of God.  What a responsibility and challenge for these translators especially as they feel the urgency to spread God's Word but are confined to a slow, tedious process. 

After handwriting Proverbs 1, I read it in Matthew Henry's commentary only to be reminded of the truths and the why behind the Book of Proverbs.  I have a feeling that this handwriting journey is just a beginning--a place to rediscover the wonder of the Scripture with each word that is written down and an opportunity to reconnect with God in openness and hunger.  As it comes to mind, pray that God will speak to me through this challenge and that I may learn discipline through this process. 

Update: Our First 8 Weeks of Second Grade

We just finished our first eight weeks of second grade!  They have been crazy weeks as we balance interruptions and real-life learning and try to reclaim our school routine!  Despite doing school at random hours of the day, we have tagged along on the explorations of Eric the Red & Leif the Lucky, built our own Viking ship, prayed for various countries in the 10/40 window and watched portions of "The Jesus Film" in various languages in order to see why missionaries and Bible translators are so important (and we discovered countries who don't have the Bible or Jesus Film in their own language--this totally builds on "From Akebu to Zaptoec--A Book of Bibleless Peoples" from last year).  And, we've actually discovered that grammar is fun thanks to "Easy Grammar" which breaks it down into daily chunks! It's been amazing to watch NoNut's comprehension of grammatical concepts grow!  We get overly excited about correct comma placement and correct capitalized words. 

So far, NoNut has read Genesis through 2 Kings in "The Beginner's Bible". His reading (and confidence) has taken off since he got glasses!  We've been building on math concepts and entered the world of carrying and thousands place value.  Plus, we found cheesy but memorable skip counting songs on youtube that we often dance, sing and count with in order to help us learn how to skip count by 3s, 6s, 9s!

Handwriting is still handwriting, but we get a little formal practice in every day and I try to sneak in extra handwriting practice by having NoNut write shopping lists, directions or writing notes to friends and family.  After choosing not to do spelling last year since NoNut couldn't read the spelling words yet, we picked it up this year based on his readiness.  Waiting paid off big time!  I'm soooo glad we didn't push it last year because he is more capable and ready to learn how to spell, and it's one subject he rarely complains about.  I firmly believe in All About Spelling's method and am thankful that there is another way (and a hands-on way) to teach spelling rather than give a child a list of 10-20 words to memorize each week.  

We are moving forward in our Bible class and learning a new hymn and chorus each month.  God has timed our Bible curriculum to coincide with what we are learning in our Sunday School class so it's been fun to have the lessons reinforced with church so that I can better teach NoNut the Word and give him extra insight rather than just stick with what is in his book!  We launching into a study of Moses for the rest of the year.  Watching the production of "Moses" at Sight & Sound in Lancaster, PA was such a great intro for our school year!  We have fallen behind with our character training curriculum and decided to set it aside for awhile while we work on a study on truth and integrity (which is the foundation for good character anyway).

This year, I am thankful that we now have our science from a Biblical perspective.  Being able to relate science back to God as Creator and Originator of all adds a new layer of depth that we did not have with Sonlight Science.  That Biblical perspective is cultivating a deeper awareness of God at work behind the scenes in NoNut's eyes.  I so wish I did not compromise with a non-Christian curriculum in K and 1st, but God is redeeming that time in His way!  At times, I feel like our new science is too advanced, but NoNut can't get enough and catches on quickly to concepts.  Am learning a lot about his strengths this year and trying to find ways to build on those. 

We also discovered Ranger Rick on top of God's World News (now WORLDKids) and both of these publications further fuel NoNut's love for learning!  Between these magazines along with many great living books, this year has already been filled with some rich reading moments, laughs and adventures. Bonding with your child over a story is priceless!  We can't wait until it gets colder so we can snuggle up in our pjs with homemade hot cocoa and read the afternoon away because it's too cold to do anything else! 

I love how God continues to put the right resources and people into our path and how He is so detailed when it comes to NoNut's education!  I am continually amazed at how real life and education are intertwined and how God weaves everything together just so into one incredible learning opportunity that reinforces everything!

This year is the first year that we have a Bible verse that defines our mission and purpose of our homeschool.  It is a verse that reminds us of the "why" behind homeschool.  This verse helps me prioritize my day and to be more available for teachable moments that occur outside of our lesson plans.  It's hard to give up those plans at times, but when we know our purpose, we are better able to follow God's plan.  Our school verse is Proverbs 1:7a--"Start with God--the first step in learning is bowing down to God."  (Message).  If I can teach (and show) my child how to cultivate a relationship with God and learn to listen and submit to Him, the rest of life and learning will flow out of that relationship.  This verse has been every bit of a personal challenge to me as I learn this lesson and make it a priority in my life as well.  God's way of doing things (including education, family and serving Him) looks a lot different than mine.  While the sacrifices and ridicule that come with homeschool are sometimes great, they pale in comparison to the blessings that God pours out on our family when we seek Him and bow to Him above all else! 


Skip Counting Youtube Video Links:

Skip Counting by 3's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWxPKnLtnus

Skip Counting by 4's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSn2O4mTYD4

Skip Counting by 6's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSn2O4mTYD4

Skip Counting by 9's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOpl1FwPlh0

The Grown Up Response

This week, "Be ye angry, but sin not, and do not let the sun go down on your wrath" (Ephesians 4:26) kept coming to mind as we had covered all of our bases to ensure NoNut's safety at a Vacation Bible School only to encounter another nut situation.  There were moments this week when I wasn't sure if I was more upset over the whole nut situation or over that verse that kept plaguing my mind and would not leave me alone! 

It was reassuring to know that it is okay to be angry over situations, but it was quite limiting to "sin not".  In hopes of justifying my anger, I tried defining the line where anger becomes sin and it was startling to see how little it takes for anger to change over to sin.  And the more I saw where anger was becoming sin, the more confused I got. 

As a mom who will do anything to make sure her child is safe and is not exposed to his offending allergens, what should my response to nut situations be beyond the obvious (not placing him in situations until we know it's safe, questioning everything and not taking basic common sense for granted)?

Leave it to God to point out His preferences in His Word once again!  God already said that it's okay to be angry but to sin not (Eph. 4:26).  God also said that He puts our tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8).  And, it's okay to "[Speak] the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. (Eph. 4:15, NIV).  But that is where this answer takes a little turn ...

The second half of Eph. 4:15 talks about growing up in Christ, so it's only fitting that God would shout it loud and clear today as my eyes fell on Matthew 5:48 while our pastor was preaching in Matthew 6 (gotta love a parallel Bible that helps you not miss the point).  "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up.  You're kingdom subjects.  Now live like it.  Live out your God-created identity.  Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."  Essentially, God just told me to grow up!  Ouch!  There goes my anger, my justifications for that anger and my growing disdain for those nut offenders. 

Growing up doesn't mean forsaking common sense in the slightest.  I'm still not going to leave my child in questionable situations as much as I'm not going to leave him with people that I don't know without having more than one prior conversation with them.

So what does responding to nut situations in God's "grown up way" look like? 

~ Growing up means finding creative ways to educate people on life-threatening allergies and working together rather than allowing the faulty actions of a couple people to outshine all the others who love NoNut and are committed to his safety.

Eph 4:2-3 -- "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

~ It means treating nut offenders the way I would like to be treated if I carelessly put another food allergy child at risk.  I would expect to be reprimanded and for the parents to be leery of putting their child in my care, but I wouldn't want a Scarlet Letter to be cast instantly upon me and have that define me forever.

Matthew 7:12 -- "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them."

~ It means that some people will receive instruction and others won't.  For those that receive instruction, they can be trusted.  For those that will not receive instruction nor see the danger of their actions, the risk would be too high to leave my child in their care.  

Proverbs 9:8-9 (NKJV) -- "Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will still be wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." 

~ It means continuing to do all we can to keep NoNut safe, listening to those unexplainable gut feelings, asking a lot of questions and not assuming anything regarding his care.  Yet it also means letting go and trusting those whom God has put in NoNut's path to take care of him for a season.  God wants to work through NoNut's life and to use NoNut's allergies for His glory.

Proverbs 21:31 (Message) -- "Do your best, prepare for the worst--then trust God to bring the victory." 

~ It means knowing where God wants us and being aware of where He is and isn't. 

Luke 10:3-12 -- "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.

~ It means learning to deal with nut situations and moving on.  The "Lord, make it not matter" prayer fits in well here.  Every single time the "Lord, make it not matter" plea comes from the very center of my being, it means I have to let this go for the well-being of myself and my family.  I'm choosing not to carry this any more because I don't have the mental or emotional capacity to carry it around; however, the emotions are still raw whenever I think about it or encounter nut offenders.  Part of "Lord, make it not matter" is allowing God to refocus my thoughts on Him and what truly matters even if it means repeating, "Make it not matter," until it finally doesn't matter. 

Proverbs 24:10 (Message) -- "If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to you in the first place." 

And finally, the essence of growing up and responding to living this crazy, up and down, ever-vigilant life of food allergies is found in Matthew 6:34 (Message):  "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up over what may or may not happen tomorrow.  God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."  

I don't always have to react.  I can choose to respond, instruct, prepare and protect from the overflow of my relationship with God which, by far, produces the more grown up response.