Diligence

Okay, this morning's lesson in our home is diligence.   When researching how best to teach diligence (in the context of keeping their room clean, getting their schoolwork done, keeping up with chores) I have discovered more heart issues that convict the teacher (me).   Normally my older two have math classes today, but I have graciously allowed them to stay home for "one more day of recovery" before our hectic crazy schedule gets underway again.  I have to say it was an easy decision as I too want one more day to catch up, one more day to "keep up" with those household tasks that always don't quite seem to get completed.  So, to start us off today at breakfast we discussed what needed to get done today, what my expectations were, and how we should develop a diligent spirit.   When possible and when I have time I always try to use God's word to bolster my points.   I came across this verse to share, "But as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you -- see that you excel in this act of grace also." (II Corinthians 8:7) ESV.  Well there is that word GRACE again.  How wonderful and how convicting to me.   I want my children to be excellent, diligent workers and I want to encourage them to this end but how to achieve that end????   It will do them no good to teach diligence unless it is tempered with grace, patience, and understanding.    I can teach them to be diligent by hounding them to get a job done, being critical if it is not "up to par", or I can walk alongside them, encourage them, show them grace by my kind words of encouragement.   I hate to say this is not my first response.  My expectations for how long something will take and how best to accomplish a task is rarely in step with my children's time frame or manner of completing a task.   So, today my prayer is that I will be gracious, sensitive and encouraging as we venture through this day, helping them to develop a joy in cleaning, doing school work, and hopefully moving forward to become diligent workers.