We Light a Candle...

I was talking with my boys recently about giving 100%.  I dislike the "let me just do enough to get by" attitude that crops up at times.  It seems to me that I have lectured instructed them repeatedly about always doing their best.  I have used my heavenly Father's words..."Whatever you do... do it as unto the Lord, not men"... and  I have used my earthly father's words, "Anything worth doing, is worth doing right." 

After having one of those conversations with them again I found myself thinking about it long after our school day was finished.  I was rolling in around in my head as I lay down to sleep and again as I showered the next morning. Praying about it I was gently reminded of all the times I also do just enough to get by and fail to give my all.  Repentance is a sweet thing!  My kids have me as their mom and teacher, which is a pretty big disadvantage BUT we all have Jesus as our example which is an even bigger advantage.  Thank GOD!  What would help us all remember? 

Then it came to me... we could light a candle.  So the FIRST thing we do in school each morning is light that candle and put it in the center of the table.  I wrote the familiar phrase "Jesus is the head of this house... the silent observer of every conversation; the invisible host at every meal." on the board.  We talked about remembering that Jesus is right there with us when we are doing our school work too.   There is something sweet about the moment when we light the candle each morning and remember Jesus is worth EVERYTHING and He is right there with us.  He is near.