This afternoon I heard this quote from Edward R. Murrow (of journalism fame):
"A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves."
While my favorite quotes are, of course, from God's Word, I found myself thinking about this statement and pondering it's truth. If we all just follow-follow-follow will we end up in an oppressed state?
And being a 13-year homeschool veteran, I of course began to consider Murrow's words in relation to homeschooling. Do I choose my curriculum based on what everyone else says they like best? Or am I continuing to seek out each child's natural bent and teach to it? Are my days numbered by the local school district or are they ordered by the Lord? Am I operating on "auto pilot" or am I walking in God's grace day by day? Am I raising sheep that know the voice of their Shepherd Jesus? Or am I raising sheep who are unable to think for themselves?
That concludes the Quoting Quotable Quotes portion of this weblog post...read on if you are brave enough to Ponder the Imponderable!
While skimming through a book of poems, my daughter's discovered something written by William Carlos Williams. It's title is "The Red Wheelbarrow" and it is as follows:
So much depends upon
A red wheelbarrow
Glazed in rain water
Beside the white chickens
I am sure many of you can broaden my understanding of this poem; it's a type of haiku, etc. But my girls have enjoyed quoting the poem in their most dramatic voices while working hard to keep straight faces ~ and it now has a prominent position on our homeschool whiteboard along with a drawing of one red wheelbarrow and one white chicken!
And whether you love poetry or hate it, you can probably agree that thinking too long on this particular poem is akin to pondering the imponderable.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving 2010 tomorrow & may the Lord's richest blessings be yours as we prepare to celebrate the Advent of our Savior!
Day 57 done :)
Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com
"A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves."
While my favorite quotes are, of course, from God's Word, I found myself thinking about this statement and pondering it's truth. If we all just follow-follow-follow will we end up in an oppressed state?
And being a 13-year homeschool veteran, I of course began to consider Murrow's words in relation to homeschooling. Do I choose my curriculum based on what everyone else says they like best? Or am I continuing to seek out each child's natural bent and teach to it? Are my days numbered by the local school district or are they ordered by the Lord? Am I operating on "auto pilot" or am I walking in God's grace day by day? Am I raising sheep that know the voice of their Shepherd Jesus? Or am I raising sheep who are unable to think for themselves?
That concludes the Quoting Quotable Quotes portion of this weblog post...read on if you are brave enough to Ponder the Imponderable!
While skimming through a book of poems, my daughter's discovered something written by William Carlos Williams. It's title is "The Red Wheelbarrow" and it is as follows:
So much depends upon
A red wheelbarrow
Glazed in rain water
Beside the white chickens
I am sure many of you can broaden my understanding of this poem; it's a type of haiku, etc. But my girls have enjoyed quoting the poem in their most dramatic voices while working hard to keep straight faces ~ and it now has a prominent position on our homeschool whiteboard along with a drawing of one red wheelbarrow and one white chicken!
And whether you love poetry or hate it, you can probably agree that thinking too long on this particular poem is akin to pondering the imponderable.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving 2010 tomorrow & may the Lord's richest blessings be yours as we prepare to celebrate the Advent of our Savior!
Day 57 done :)
Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com
And there is one reason that I LOVE your family! Your girls can take something so crazy/odd/different and turn it into something fun -- every time!!
ReplyDeleteAnd -- as for your final question about "Am I raising sheep who are unable to think for themselves?", you can rest easy knowing that I know firsthand that this is NOT true! You have 5 very bright and dependent children who are not only able to think for themselves but they are super creative and detailed at that! Their love for the Lord also radiates from them and it's clear that they have been raised right! You and Tony also most definitely DO NOT operate on "auto pilot"...no way no how!! "Auto pilot" doesn't include righting, publishing, and selling your own Bible study...."auto pilot" doesn't include writing your own curriculum to use teach the youth either! You and Tony ROCK and we are extremely thankful for not only the two of you, but for your entire family!