God's Lesson Plans

It is always my goal and desire to be reading a chapter book out loud to my children.  So the other day, since I have been slacking in this area, I picked up "The Twenty-one Balloons" which is a novel by William Pene du Bois, published in 1947 and awarded the Newberry Medal for excellence in American children's literature 1948. The story is about a retired schoolteacher whose ill-fated balloon trip leads him to discover an island full of great wealthy and fantastic inventions. The events and ideas are based both on scientific fact and imagination. In the introduction he claims that the story is half truth and half fiction, which  is intriguing for the children. I can really see the wheels turning in the children's minds as I read.

There was no particular reason for me choosing this particular book which has been on our library shelf for years.  I've never read it or seen anyone else read it or heard anything about it, good or bad. The children keep asking for "one more chapter" which is a good sign. Jeff overheard us reading it; turns out he read it and loved it when he was a boy too!

I am writing this to give Glory to God who does all things well, including teaching children through an earthen vessel (cracked-pot) like me! I could never plan lessons the way He does!

About three days into our story, we were all sitting at the breakfast table and James announced that he could see a HOT AIR BALLOON in the sky! We do see those beautiful balloons here from time to time but only in the spring (as far as I can recall) and this is February! It was cold and windy that day...not a hot- air- balloon -sighting type of day AT ALL! We had fun viewing it through our binoculars and  spotting scope. Later Peter drew this picture:

Peter's Hot Air Balloon

I often think of the story of the loaves and the two small fish that the little boy brought to Jesus. It was all he had but he trusted the Lord to use it as needed.  And God multiplied that food until there were leftovers! That's what we home-schooling mothers need to do. Bring what we have to the Lord and trust Him to add whatever else is needed. It seemed God was showing me that HE is aware, interested and involved in even the small details of our little home-school. I thank Him and praise Him for that!

The following poem has always encouraged me to read to my children:

The Reading Mother
by Strickland Gillian

I had a mother who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea.
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth;
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath.
I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days'
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.
I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness lent with his final breath.
I had a Mother who read me the things,
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-
Stories that stir with an upward touch.
Oh, that each mother of boys were such!
You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be--
I had a Mother who read to me.

Proverbs 3: 5, 6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.