Dear Self,

Today you sat down and in earnest began preparing yourself for a new school year. You wrote out some lesson plans to go along with the steady stream of books arriving at your door these past few weeks. You spent time trying to wrap your head around homeschooling not one, not two, not even three, but four young ones, while not losing track of investing in the toddler and baby who need at least as much time and energy as the school-age children. You created a new chore chart and mapped out a daily rhythm. You opened packages and tore off cellophane and got very excited about brand new math and handwriting books now tucked amidst dozens of gently-used living books and field guides and teacher manuals. You even took the time to sharpen 24 brand new #2 pencils.

But, Self, can I remind you of the thought that kept rolling through your mind the whole time, like a wave gently washing over your already-somewhat-panicking soul?

"Above all, let me awaken wonder in my children this year."

Wonder about God, His goodness, His creation, His plan. Wonder about the world around them, their lives, things seen, and things unseen.

In a month, when any daily rhythm seems like wishful thinking, when chores aren't being done well, when the baby keeps interrupting grammar lessons, when getting math finished seems more important than whether or not we're having fun, when you're just too tired or too busy or too distracted or too overwhelmed or too all-of-the-above, please remember this: your goal is to awaken wonder in your children.

Your children are still young. In time, they will need to tuck away facts and memorize formulas and recite information. For now, they need to discover, explore, and absorb. And trust me, Self, when I say that this will in turn be the best foundation for all the things that must come later.

Self, don't be afraid to set aside the books and the plan when necessary. Be courageous enough to let life become the curriculum and reality become the tool. Don't measure your successes against another person and certainly not against another system. Be quick to remember what the Lord is looking for from you-- to do justice and love mercy-- and then choose that when becoming a harsh taskmaster, strict teacher, or rigid dictator seems (in the moment) like the best way to get us back on track.

Enjoy learning. Enjoy your children. Enjoy the process.

And yes: above all, seek to awaken wonder about God's goodness, and this life and world we've been given, in your children.

Sincerely,
Me