WATERMELON WISDOM

I think I'm finally learning an important lesson in life - be yourself. For years I've tried to make my life a copy of someone else's. Not in every way mind you. Just in certain areas like prayer, scheduling, disciplining my children, and keeping my home. I cannot tell you how many "kits" I've bought to help me in these areas and how many books I've read that I thought had the only solution out there. Here's a partial list ~

Peter Lord's prayer handbook
Becky Tirabassi's method
Ted Tripp's Shepherding a Child's Heart
Flylady
Emilie Barnes More Hours in My Day
Managers of Their Homes

I'm sure I could list more. These methods and the people who developed them are great. The problem is I failed in implementing every single one of them. I'd be consistent for about two weeks and then fall off the wagon. Why? Am I an undisciplined failure? No. These methods are great and they work for the people who've developed them and for a lot of people who have implemented them for themselves. They just didn't work for me. My problem was not in implementation or discipline. My problem has been that I've been looking for that one quick solution for all these areas of my life. I haven't been looking to God and asking for His wisdom in managing my home, my prayer life, and my children. I am unique. Becky Tirabassi's prayer method didn't work for me because I don't like to write out my prayers. Emilie Barnes' method wouldn't work for me because I don't like being that organized.

What I'm learning right now is that I need to seek the Lord first. He created and designed me and my family for His purposes. I need His wisdom most of all. Reading all these books is not bad. Asking for wisdom from other people is not bad. But I need to be discerning when I read and figure out what will work for me and what won't - and don't feel guilty about it. My latest book? The Joyful Homeschooler by Mary Hood. I like the book and reading about her approach to homeschooling has freed me up from some stress and pressure I've been feeling. But I'm not going to copy her implementation. It's worked for her but that doesn't mean it's the only right way. I'm going to finish the book and take what will work for me and put aside the rest.

"But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person." Ecclesiastes 12:12-13

Read this post from the ladies at Choosing Home for more of the same thoughts.