Teaching as Christ Teaches

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In Chapter Two of Stephanie Dibb Sorensen's book Covenant Motherhood: Reflecting the Role of Christ in Our Lives, Sister Sorensen talks about how as mothers, we regularly emulate Jesus Christ as we teach our children. Sister Sorenson knows

Teaching is not easy. Mother days are often busy and noisy and demanding. Sometimes we don't even know we are teaching. One thing mothers can learn from the example of Jesus Christ is that He did not shy away from opportunities to teach. He recognized teaching moments and open His mouth. (page 14)

Sister Sorensen is not a home schooling mother, but I was really impressed by all the different opportunities she mentions that we can use as teaching opportunities: in the line at the super market, in crowds, at the dinner table, driving places, and on and on. As mothers we have the same opportunity to teach our kids. (Even when we're not home schooling!) One of the greatest things I got out of Sister Sorensen's chapter is the reminder that all of these things work together. We will be teaching our kids, even if we don't feel like we are. Sister Sorenson quotes president Spencer W Kimball, who promised

Your Heavenly Father will smile upon you as you live the commandments and teach them to your children. This is the work of the Lord.

It such a comfort to remember that. And it's not about all the individual days and moment either. Teaching our kids is about the big picture. Elder Bednar stated it so well.

Each family prayer, each episode the family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But ...  our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. ... Consistency is the key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual life as we become more diligent and concerns in our own homes. (From October 2009 Conference, quoted in Sorensen, page 16)

I love the reminder of the "brushstrokes." I am not an artist, so I love all the more the impressionist art (and any other art) in which each stroke is so insignificant and yet so significant at the same time. Once you step back and look at the image, it blends together beautifully, but if you stick your nose right in to it and look at each stroke, some of them may look off. Let me tell you, some of our homeschool days look "off." Nevertheless, I can see how my efforts to teach and nurture my children will, someday, all blend together into the beautiful painting of their "souls." Line upon Line Learning is my blog name and my teaching philosophy. We teach little by little, and it all adds up. I hope I can continue to teach my own children as Christ teaches. As Sister Sorensen says, "coming to Him through Christ-like teaching is one of the many gifts of motherhood" (page 20). As hard as it sometimes is, this is what I want to remember most as I begin my home schooling year. See also Who Do you Think You Are? Thoughts on the Savior's Grace