Love in the home

After searching for this poem that I vaguely remembered seeing somewhere I found it quoted on two blogs, both by people who don't know where it came from either. So, unfortunately I can't give credit to its author either, but it speaks volumes to me. It also reminds me of my recent thoughts on real life vs. academics, and a post that is still rolling around in my brain regarding relationships with our children. Until I get that 'on paper,' here is someone else's thoughts on the matter:

I Corinthians 13 for Homeschool Moms

Though I teach my children how to multiply, divide, and diagram a sentence, but fail to show them LOVE, I have taught them nothing!

And though I take them on numerous field trips, to swim practice and flute lessons; and though I involve them in every church activity,

but fail to give them LOVE, I profit nothing!

And though I scrub my house relentlessly, run countless errands, and serve three nutritious meals every day but fail to be an example of LOVE, I have done nothing!

LOVE is patient with misspelled words and is kind to young interrupters.

LOVE does not envy the high SAT scores of other Homeschool families. LOVE does not claim to have better teaching methods than anyone else,

is not rude to the fourth telephone caller during a science lesson, does not seek perfectly behaved geniuses, does not turn into a drill sergeant, thinks no evil about friends’ educational choices!

LOVE bears all my children’s challenges, believes all my children are God’s precious gifts, hopes all my children establish permanent relationships with Christ, and endures all things to demonstrate God’s love!

LOVE never fails!

Where there are college degrees, they will fail;

where there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

For we know in part and we teach in part. But when the trials of life come to our children, the history, math, and science will be done away and faith, hope, and love will remain;

I'm sure God is speaking to each one of us with His unique rendition of this for our life and situation, but the underlying theme remains . . . more important than all of the homeschooling and housewife responsibilities is the living out of the love of Christ in our home and toward our children.