When I think of the word goodness and what it means to me I automatically go straight to this verse,
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
This has become our family verse and through it, we are working to shape and mold our whole family atmosphere. Filtering everything we do, say, and see with this verse in mind. As a family, we have hidden this verse deep into our hearts and my husband and I ask that God use this verse to direct us in how we raise Miss C and Mr. J.
Three years ago we were unhappy with C’s kindergarten year, we began praying about options and what to do for first grade. Husband, from the time we dated, said he would like his children to be homeschooled and that is what the Lord was laying on my heart as well. As I prayed more, I asked God to direct me to a theme, a goal of how we should homeschool and God directed me to Philippians 4:8 and three little words that would have a huge impact on our lives, Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. Now in the world of homeschool, this is very Charlotte Mason inspired, and like her education philosophy, I wanted truth, beauty, and goodness not just to be a theme I taught by but for it to be an Atmosphere, a Discipline, our Life.
Since starting our homeschool journey Truth Beauty and Goodness have evolved from our homeschool time and more into "Our family theme." They are qualities my husband and I diligently seek to instill in our children. So I thought I would share about how we use truth, beauty, and goodness in our home.
Even before we started our family, My hubby has always said it is important to him that we raise our children to be adults who are productive members of society. But just working and not being a drain on society is one thing instead, we yearn to raise adults who would be more. As a mom, I need to remember that in order for Miss C and Mr. J to go out and be productive members of society they need to practice at home first because we are their safe place. Husband and I desire to raise children who see the world through Christ’s eyes, to be world changers, a light in all this darkness, to point others to Jesus, not just being honest but that each time they speak for it to be honoring God and speak His words of truth. To be able to draw on God’s wisdom when faced with anything life throws at them. One way we strive to teach our children about Truth is with family devotions. We try to start and end our day with prayer and time spent in God’s word. As we all know, life can be hectic and it doesn’t always happen so sometimes it's just a verse or two or prayer time. In our family when we have a decision to make Josh and I try to include the children in praying about it, as long as it is okay for them to know. For example, when praying about moving we included the children in praying and prayed as a family because it affected all of us. That way they were able to see how our prayer was answered. Through this J is starting to understand that we can talk to God about anything. And that He will answer our prayers. An example of this is that Mr. J prayed diligently for snow this past winter. My husband and I saw what the weather report said that snow was coming, but Mr. J didn't, all he knew was that he really really really wanted it to snow. My sweet little boy clasping his hands together and squeezing his eyes tight, faithfully asking Jesus to please let it snow and then to see that his prayers were answered with a resounding yes! He was so happy he ran through the house yelling God answered my prayers, God answered my prayers!
Without God we cannot have truth just like without truth we cannot have beauty. God is beautiful and His entire creation proclaims his beauty, we were created to seek this beauty, to seek our creator! Husband and I pray daily that our children grow up seeking true beauty that comes from within not what we see on the outside. The world portrays beauty as an outward appearance that promotes a prideful attitude that healthy relationships cannot be built on. We are trying to instill in Miss C and Mr. J a value system so they will fall in love with their future spouses because of the beauty of Christ in them, not their surface beauty.
God has given us much beauty in this world as a way to reveal himself to us. Because of this, we chose a homeschool curriculum that focuses on God’s creation and how it Glorifies Him, it is very nature-based. We love to go outside and get in nature as much as possible and use this as a way to see God’s beautiful world.
Just as nature shows us who God is, His word teaches us how to know him better and become a beautiful example of Christ to others.
Teaching our children to be able to appreciate the beauty of simplicity and focus not on getting the next thing but, to rest in the One who can give them their true heart's desire. In this world of disposable everything and materialism, it is not always easy but definitely something we strive for.
2Corinthinans 12:9
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Another way to cultivate beauty in our home is by teaching Miss C and Mr. J to have kindness to each other and others above all. I yearn to show them in action by not needing to correct every single of their errors but instead cover their sin with my love. I try to view conflict not as an invitation to fight them but instead as an opportunity to lead them kindly to repentance and ultimately to Christ.
I strive to speak to my family with truth in love and to examine my heart to see how I might be affecting the attitude of our home. Of course, it depends on how much sleep I have had, my hormonal state, or how far I have been tested at that moment but it is important to do our best. The phrase “If mama ain't happy, ain’t nobody's happy” should make us remember the influence we have in our family. Instead of tearing down, I need to remember to build up their little hearts all while trusting God to transform C and J’s lives in His timing, not my own impatient one. My husband and I strive to emphasize beauty in Miss C and Mr. J’s lives and cultivate a spirit of beauty and truth within our own home that is centered around Christ and His loving goodness.
We pray for them to be motivated with the desire to be a blessing to everyone they encounter. In our world today, goodness is surmised to be in the eye of the beholder just as beauty is (and in moral relativism so is truth, for that matter) Goodness refers to conduct above reproach, being without sin. It refers to a life filled with the love of God, conveying His love in charitable deeds of kindness and mercy. This is how we view goodness. But only through God can we exemplify goodness and the only way we can know goodness is to truly seek after God.
We are God’s workmanship, and He is the potter – gradually, relentlessly, molding and refining us into His will. I might see my children’s weaknesses but, it isn’t my job to attack them every time I find a weakness. Just as I appreciate being forgiven or offered grace when I am less than perfect or downright ugly, I should be even more apt to offer an attitude of graciousness as an example to them. I must prayerfully consider what kind of human beings I am nurturing them to be if I can’t contend with my own sin-filled heart first.
A few ways I seek to bring goodness into our home is by trying to prayerfully replace my sinful feelings with patience and understanding and to speak to my family with grace and love. I try to remember that in the thick of motherhood God is working on me, that every challenging moment (which we all know there are many) with my children is a way for God to sculpt and refine me for His glory and honor. Of course, sometimes we just feel beat up not sculpted! Daily I must search my own heart and ask God to reveal His truth, beauty, and goodness to me so that I can be a gentle Christ-centered mom who is giving my children a legacy of love and safety that they can pass on to their children.
My husband and I yearn to bring Philippians 4:8 to life in our home by creating a family culture that is focused on Christ and based on Truth Beauty and Goodness. We seek to be virtue and holiness in action. To remember that no matter what, if everything else fails, as long as we keep our eyes on our Creator, Christ’s love for us steadies our hearts and clears our minds and that even if everything else gives way, He will never move.
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