I rolled out of bed, somewhat reluctantly, as I don’t really consider myself a morning person. However, there’s always so much to do in the mornings. My husband headed out to feed animals and do a few other chores, as I pulled out my mom’s old cast iron pan and got some sausage cooking. I washed the fresh eggs, and threw a couple of pieces of sourdough toast into the toaster. We ate and talked about the day, and he left, somewhat reluctantly, for work.
I woke the kids up around 8:30. One of the perks of homeschooling is allowing your kids to get a full, good night’s sleep. I fixed the kids the same breakfast my husband and I had earlier. We all settled into the cushions of the living room couches to eat and talk.
I began reading to them from I Corinthians 13.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
“What do you think that means…tongues of men and of angels?” I asked, waiting for their replies.
After a few shrugs and comments I said, “It doesn’t matter how sweet your voice is, or how great your vocabulary is, you must speak with love.”
They agreed. I asked, “What about ‘I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal’? What does that mean?”
“Clang, clang, clang. That’s how it sounds without love,” the youngest sounded off loudly. I smiled to myself. How true!
We talked about verse 2 and 3 and all the great gifts we might have that are useless without showing God’s love. They agreed love is important!
“But wait, what is love, really?” I said pushing them to think a little deeper.
“Love is not a feeling, it’s an action,” my oldest responded with a thoughtful look.
“Yes! Let’s look at what love actually does.” We went through the list in verses 4-7.
- suffereth long
- is kind
- envieth not
- vaunteth not itself
- is not puffed up
- doth not behave itself unseemly,
- seeketh not her own
- is not easily provoked
- thinketh no evil
- rejoiceth not in iniquity
- rejoiceth in the truth
- beareth all things
- believeth all things
- hopeth all things
- endureth all things
We talked about some of the more uncommon words, vaunteth means prideful, beareth all things, and so on. We had some great conversation, which gives me a little peek into their hearts. I learn about how they think, their feelings, and motivations concerning their faith. It’s the best thing ever.
I get a chance to correct slight misunderstandings of the scripture and guide their thoughts along the way. I also like to throw them a curve ball now and then.
“How do these verses relate to family relationships, like siblings, parents and children, husband and wife,” I asked watching their wheels turning.
“We shouldn’t give up on people we love, especially our family,” one answered.
Yes, I agree. We sometimes have to “bear” things that are hard, keep “believing,” and keep “hope” alive even when things are rough. If people knew what true Biblical love was, there would be a lot fewer divorces and families split apart.
“Our hope is not in this life,” my oldest said. “Our hope is in the Lord and we have eternal life in Him.”
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; (verse 6)
My hope is not in my bank account, the election results, my health or anything else. Today, I rejoice in the truth, knowing my hope is in the Lord.
What meaningful conversations are you having with your kids today?
