Dandelion Bouquets
Posted in Daily Focus on Monday, April 14, 2014
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have" (Hebrews 13:5a).
The money shortages we experienced while homeschooling gave our family plenty of opportunities to discover life's simple pleasures. My husband and I enjoyed inexpensive dates, and we found activities for our children that cost very little money.
One springtime activity we enjoyed most was having the first picnic of the year and walking barefoot through the new green grass. After a long winter, the grass felt so good under our feet, and our children loved creating craft projects from the dandelions. My oldest daughter especially liked making dandelion rings and stringing them together into a necklace. My son streaked his face with yellow war paint made from the blossom's pollen, and my youngest daughter picked as many dandelions as her little hand could hold, giving them to me as a beautiful bouquet. Years later, when listening to my children speak of their favorite childhood memories, I found they remembered these simple, ordinary things the most.
Learning to be content with what you have is a secret few discover in this life. The apostle Paul is a wonderful example of someone who knew the contentment of having much or little when he said in Philippians 4:12, "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." The success of his ministry to the Gentiles wasn't dependent on his paycheck from tentmaking; rather, it was dependent on God. In today's language, Paul learned to be happy eating steak or eating macaroni and cheese for supper. Either way, he knew that God was with him providing exactly what he needed.
Would you like to feel more content homeschooling? Learn the art of appreciating life's simple pleasures. If you constantly struggle to give your child the biggest and best, you'll not only deplete your pocketbook, but you'll also deprive your children from enjoying ordinary, everyday blessings. Adding more outside educational activities to supplement your curriculum is not always the answer either. Spending time loving each other with the blessings that God has already given is the homeschooling joy that you and your children will remember most.
Lord, please give me wisdom to understand what my children really need. While we homeschool, help us to enjoy each other's love every day and the simple things in life that You provide. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments(14 comments)
JENNIFER Z 04/02/2009 10:34:55
Last spring my 4-yr-old daughter brought me a bouquet of yellow dandelions with a huge smile on her face. "These are for you, Mommy!" My sometimes-quick-to-criticize 8-yr-old reminded her that dandelions are just weeds that grow in the grass. To that, my younger one replied, "To you they're just weeds, but to me they're flowers."
What a good reminder that it doesn't take lots of money or a financial portfolio to bring us joy. Simply having each other and loving the creation that God has given us is joy in itself.
MELODY E 04/02/2009 16:26:04
I enjoyed reading the other post. A positive outlook helps us to appreciate these little things in life as well. Her little daughter has a good outlook.
I have a yard full of weeds and the beautiful purple flowers sometimes stop me in my tracks to bend down and take a closer look. My yard isn't as lovely as my neighbors, but it isn't full of chemicals either and my son and I enjoy rolling down the hill. =)
JULIA S 04/14/2010 07:24:28
Thanks for the devotional. It was exactly what I needed to hear today!
Julie S
KIMBERLEY B 04/14/2010 08:46:31
Hello I am new here. This was the first blog I saw - what a great place to start, appreciating Gods simple wonderful creations ! Thaks , & God Bless, Kim
Lance w 04/14/2010 10:02:00
We are homeschooling in Dover, De. Looking for a temp. tutor for 9th grade Chemistry. Let us know if anyone has any info on this.
CARL V 04/14/2010 11:22:11
Lance,
If you don\'t receive a response to your request on this blog post, you may have more success in getting feedback on our Facebook fan page at facebook.com/aophomeschooling.
ANNE H 04/14/2010 12:27:10
Anne H.
This devotional is wonderful and so true. Home schooling is a sacrifice for moms, but is well worth the time invested in our children. There is so much we can experience being an active part of their education in the home. I enjoy teaching my children and am trying to teach them the importance of loving each other and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Life gets more complicated the more stuff we have.
Thanks for your devotionals. I find them very encouraging!
Blessings to you!
CRYSTAL L 04/14/2011 05:34:08
I am trying to find out about when you buy a complete 5 subject set if it includes the teachers guides and tests that are talked about?
KIMBERLY T 04/14/2011 10:30:17
@Crystal L - Yes, the complete sets come with the workbooks, teacher\'s guides and tests. =)
CHRISTINA H 04/14/2011 13:57:10
I really do agree with Today\'s Daily Devotional,because I know in my own heart that 10 years from now it won\'t matter that I did or didn\'t have the money to buy the latest camera to take milestone pictures of my little daughter with it will just matter that I was there and that we enjoyed every moment together and that our bond as a Mother and Daughter is as stronger as ever.These things I do know in my heart to be true,Amen.
KATHY S 04/14/2012 04:48:18
You are completely right Christina H., our children will only remember the Love we gave them.
Each night, no matter what went on that day, my son does the bed time prayer, and it starts as follow;
Dear Jesus, thank you for this Magnificent Day with Mom.......
from there, all the other little requests ECt. are added.
Yesterday, we spent the afternoon in the E.R. (BP 180/100) not fun, but his attitude, just happy to be with me no matter where we are.
And the thing he remembers each day is \"he had a Magnificent day with his Mom. \"
My son reminds me to thank Jesus in all things.
Thank you Jesus, for my Wonderful son. Amen.
MICHAEL B 04/14/2012 07:48:20
This devotional is what I need everyday because we do not have much. Our income is low, the kids do not have much to play with outside, and we do not go anywhere. I look forward to our homeschool coop during the school year. I,LORA, could go on and on, but that would not solve anything. I just have to focus on the positive. Devotionals like this one help. Thanks
JODIE T 04/14/2012 09:23:48
It\'s so typical for the world to give something that is such a blessing the undignified title of \"Weed\". Dandelion\'s are a special little flower to our family. My 5 and 7 year olds regularly pick dandelion bouquets and proudly display them on the dining room table. We watch them close up at night and open again in the morning. We put them in our hair to make us beautiful and, when they go to seed, it\'s fun to send off hundreds of little \"paratroopers\" all at once. They have so much fun using their imaginations and it\'s so much better for them than what the world has to offer. Plus the flower can be dipped in batter and eaten and the greens make a nice salad. God is good!
Danielle Johnson 04/14/2014 15:55:43
I also live in Dover DE and can help you with a tutor. Email me at todanijohn@verizon.net