So, here we are. Standing almost completely on the other side of our 4th year homeschooling.
Wow. I remember the words of a stranger telling me last summer that the 4th year was the best, because it is when you and your kids finally have untangled yourselves from the expectations of others and set your own standards. It is the year your kids settle into their own skin and their curiosity has full permission to thrive. I asked her what was magical about the 4th year and she didn't have an answer. It just is.
I can say that is true with all of my being.
My kids went from complaining or fears of missing out on something (esp my oldest) to really embracing the freedom they have. My oldest developed an app this year and tutors 3rd graders in reading and spelling at a nearby at-risk school. She was able to write creatively and challenge herself academically in ways that I never had to introduce.
My youngest also tutors kids in spelling and reading at the same school, he has learned the beginnings of computer coding and realized he is really good at building in robotics. He has finished more history books than you could imagine and memorized over 400 items of History, Math, Science, Latin, Geography, Timeline and English Grammar. He also has a tertiary understanding of those items and can connect the dots to the real world when he sees or hears something that is familiar to him.
More than that, I have seen the character of both kids begin to unfold and blossom. I'm sure that happens everywhere. Isn't it AWESOME that we mature? That, in and of itself is a miracle. That we go through difficult challenges and incredible victories and somehow, the brain utilizes this information to actually transform us. Evolve us. What spiritual person could deny evolution of this kind? How can a faith not make room for evolution as well? God himself designed us to learn, to transform, to evolve and He made us in His image. Hasn't he made everything with that adaptability? Without adaptability, I can't imagine where I would be from one day to the next as a human being, let alone a homeschool mom/entrepreneur. Adaptability is only possible because of how God wired my brain and my heart to work synch. The current situation must become less comfortable that what is required to grow/change (introducing restraint, new thinking, benefit of the doubt are all VERY uncomfortable in situations where they have not been practiced prior). However, once the mind and heart have communicated with the soul, and there is a consensus, to move forward and adapt to a new paradigm, then the magic happens. That is where the Spirit meets the flesh and the world gets a glimpse of LIFE. New life. Re-birth. Every day. Isn't that AWESOME>!>
Anyway, at those moments, when I experience that for myself, or, watch it in my kids or friends, I am high. Propelled by the adrenaline, dopamine and every other joy-inducing chemical that God made to fire off when we believe that we are HIS! That we can defy the powers of death and stupid habitual destructive beliefs about ourselves because we are ADAPTABLE. What is also so cool is that our adaptability is not a forced situation. We choose when, where, how much and why we either adapt or we don't. Sometimes we just can't see that there is a need to adapt or, most likely in my experience, I don't adapt because the grief of letting go of expectations is more painful than moving forward - even if it means moving forward to joy.
I have seen my own capacity for love increase or, deepen really... because, finally, my selection for who to love has become much more selective.
I serve many, but love fewer. I have seen that my kids are finding that this is satisfactory to them. I used to see their nervousness if we didn't have plans or people. Now, they read or play or whatever - although the people we love we see all the time :-).
Thank you God. Thank you Jesus for such an incredible year of transition. Evolution. Love. Thank you for the trinity - the tripod- the trifecta that is you and reflected in our mind, body, spirit. Thank you for your gentle clarity. Your kind and patient consistency. For replacing death with a life that gives way to yet more life.
