Just Do It, as Unto the LORD

(Note: This post was originally a guest post in 2015, which can still be seen here.)

There are so many days that homeschooling is just another chore to do. For the kids…And for Mama.

“Get it done, guys!”

“Keep it moving!”

“Don’t get distracted!”

“Mama has two ears and four voices are talking. One at a time, please.”

“Keep on task!”

“Please re-read the question and think about it, then ask me again if you still need help.”

“Not so much doodling!”

“You just went to the restroom 2 minutes ago!”

“You’re not done with that yet?”

“Mama has two hands and four boys need me. Please wait your turn.”

Ugh! The negative comments seem to outweigh the positive. My attitude affects their attitudes. If homeschooling seems like just an annoying chore to get done to me, how are they supposed to face it with diligence and joy?!

We want them to do their best. We want them to be the best they can be, and be successful. We would love to see them excel and definitely desire to see them live up to their potential. But it’s not enough that we want that. There are times when our expectations can be too high, and other times when we are too lax on things.

We have been working on a couple of verses for family life. For a while, our website was the Colossians 3 Family because we want to incorporate and live out all of it.

Specifically Colossians 3:23 was chosen as our Homeschool verse:

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” because, let’s face it: They should not be working for Mom, Dad, or even the district school’s administration. They need to work as if they are trying to please the Lord. He’s the One who counts.

Do I want them to blow my socks off with how much they’re learning? Sure! Do I want them to please me by getting their work done on time? Of course! But my opinion isn’t always going to mean anything to them. It’s not enough motivation in the long run. We want our children to learn to obey us, their parents so that they will then obey Christ. If they work at everything they do as something for God, their Father, their Savior, that is motivation! That is something special!

That desire to do things unto the Lord won’t ever be outgrown. I want my kids to realize that as Christians, we are God’s representatives. It’s something that I wish I’d learned as a child. To do every little thing for God. Not to please my parents, not to please others, not even to please myself, but to do it for God and to show others that God’s people are set apart.

Thankfully, our God, though He is perfection itself, doesn’t expect us to be perfect. He’s not like Lord Business (from the LEGO Movie) saying, “All I want is perfection!” He accepts our best efforts in obedience as pleasing. Equally amazing is that our works are not necessary for salvation – we are saved only by His grace. But He does expect the best from His children. I want to make sure to distinguish between being rewarded for good stewardship and working to earn salvation. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” We cannot work for our salvation, but we are called to do good works. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Every little assignment, every little spelling quiz, every little dish that needs washed, every toilet that needs cleaned, every floor that needs swept…everything we do should be done unto the Lord.

That’s what will matter in the end. Jerry and I wrote a more in-depth post about this here if you’re interested.