Everything You Need to Know About Leading Others (and Homeschooling!)
Lea Ann Garfias and I have been homeschooling moms for a very long time, but even if you have little or no interest in homeschooling, my desire is that every listener will have something he or she can take away from this episode. You see, it’s impossible to be a homeschool teacher unless we are schooled by God. I can do 100 things to prepare myself for my day (including my homeschooling day!), but nothing is more effective than preparing my heart.
Anytime we long to lead and influence others, it’s important to know we’re leading them in the right direction. I was reminded of this just this morning as I came across Isaiah 2:3, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us about His ways so we may walk in his paths.“
As I read this verse, I wrote down these notes:
God = present to teach us
Me = go to Him, seek His presence and His ways = Benefit from His paths
God’s presence is good, paved in love, and will lead us in the right direction.
The “us” here is ourselves and whoever we are leading. Perhaps you are leading co-workers. Some may be leading fellow Christ-followers in church, through service. And if you are a parent, you are leading your kids.
Every day, I wake up overwhelmed and wound up by all that needs to be accomplished. Can you relate? It’s only as I sit before God, in the quiet of the early morning before anyone else is awake, that my heart calms and my mind stills. This happens as I allow God to teach me and lead me on His paths.
Of course, like anything else important, my “morning time” didn’t just happen. Instead, about 25 years ago I decided to make Bible reading and prayer a priority. Desiring to be a writer, I started getting up before my kids to write. Then, a few days into my new routine, I realized that maybe my writing (and everything else) would go better if I spent time with God even before I launched into my work. (As my kids say: Uh, duh!)
I was right. My days went better as I sat before God and opened my heart to the truths in His Word. My days went better as I prayed and turned my worries to Him. My days went better as I sat still before God and asked for His priorities.
Soon, my mornings shifted. My priority became spending time with God, not spending time writing. Only then did everything in my life shift, too. As I sought God as my teacher, He lead me to the right paths. Paths of helping to start a crisis pregnancy center, paths the led to my books, and so much more. Today, this is still my habit and my priority. And He still is leading me.
As wonderful as this sounds, developing a Bible reading and prayer habit only happens with intentionality.
Here are the top three things needed for developing a Bible reading and prayer habit:
- A time.
- A place.
- A plan.
A Time: Maybe early mornings don’t work for you. That’s okay. When can you find a time to read your Bible and pray?
A Place: Where is a good place to meet with God? I have a corner on my couch I go to with my Bible, journal, and devotional book. Because my kids are still asleep it’s quiet and comfortable.
A Plan: I’ve had different plans, but the one I’ve stuck to is reading through the Bible in a year. This means reading 4-5 chapters of the Bible a day . I don’t always accomplish reading that much, but it’s still a plan. A plan that I only accomplish 3/4 of the time is far better than no plan at all! Still, your plan doesn’t need to be that complicated. When I started my plan was just to read the Bible for 10 minutes. It was a perfect way to start! It helped me to develop a simple habit, and that was just what I needed to begin. How about you? What plan sounds doable? Remember, any plan is better than no plan to start!
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Scripture to ponder
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders. Psalm 78:2-4 (NLT)
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Mentioned in This Episode
Everything You Need to Know about Homeschooling | Lea Ann Garfias
Praying Through the Bible in a Year | Tricia Goyer
Who is Lea Ann Garfias
Lea Ann Garfias is a homeschool graduate, a homeschooling mother of six, and the author of four books, including three on homeschooling. She and her husband, David, live in Dallas, Texas. Besides author, she holds the titles of professional violinist, French-press owner, and friend.
Connect with Lea Ann
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Connect with Tricia
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub
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“My priority became spending time with God, not spending time writing […] As I sought God as my teacher, He lead me to the right paths.”
I want to thank you for this. It truly blessed me. My pastor has been speaking and writing more and more about being a diligent seeker, and when we seek Him first, all things come into perfect order! He orders our steps, which means that as we follow Him, make Him the priority, we are able to walk not in our ways but in His, which are PERFECT!
Thank you for sharing!