You probably know the last time you said, “I’m only telling you this because I love you!” Do you remember the last time God said that to you? Homeschooling mom Rachael Carman encourages you to hear—and speak—that message, on today’s Home School Heartbeat, with HSLDA President Mike Smith.
Mike Smith:
Rachael, the phrases in your book are things you commonly say to your children. How do you model God’s love to your children through what you say?
Rachael Carman:
I think we can do this in a myriad of ways, in different things that we say to our children. I mean, every day, I wish that I said everything that I need to say in the right way.
When I was a young girl, my mother used to say, “Rachael, it’s not what you say, it’s how you’re saying it.” And I guess all of us can remember “Tone, tone, tone, tone!” was the issue growing up. I really believe that that is a very important issue for me, also.
No matter what I’m saying to my children—if I’m asking them to pick up their socks or straighten their desk or finish their schoolwork, or if I’m pointing out the beauty of creation, a sunset, the color of the fall leaves, a caterpillar—it’s the tone and the calmness in my voice, it is the approach that I take to pointing them to the Creator, it’s the patience that He gives me that I give back to them, as I communicate with them, trying desperately not to be rushed in this busy, busy world, but constantly pointing them back to the Master and the Creator of the universe.
Mike:
Rachael, thank you for sharing with us again today. The information you’ve provided will be a great encouragement to parents listening. I look forward to hearing more on our next program. And until then, I’m Mike Smith.