Welcome back! This week we are reading the section Hindering the Children in Charlotte Mason’s Home Education volume, pages 19-20. This is week 5 of the Charlotte Mason Home Education Read-along Series that I am doing for my own personal Mother Culture project this year. If you are interested in learning more about a Charlotte Mason education, Ambleside Online is one of the best resources on the web.
Hindering the Children
Charlotte begins by saying the most fatal way of despising a child if to overlook and make light of his or her relationship with God. Hindering children from coming to the Lord is a direct violation of God’s Word for the Lord Himself commanded that children not be kept from Him.
But He said, “Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” -Matthew 19:14
She suggests that as long as an adult doesn’t do anything to hinder them, that a child would naturally turn to God in delight. This has me thinking: in what ways have I unknowingly discouraged my children from NATURALLY turning to their Savior???
As a born-again, spirit-filled mother, I must be willing to look hard at my own life and what it may or may not be presenting to my children. This is something I will continue to seek Him about because I do not want to hinder them at all in any way.
Nursery Theology
I am curious as to what Charlotte considered speaking words “of how God does love (them) and fill their hours with delight” looks like. What “signs” must be present “whereby the child can read that the things of God are more to his parents than any things of the world.”
I want so much for my children to love Jesus as I love Him. But that’s the thing: AS I LOVE HIM. So I think it is important to take the time to examine: just “HOW” am I loving Him and is it inspiring my children to want to love Him too?
My Takeaway
In the past, I tried to do the things I thought were needed to help my children know and follow the Lord. It’s a long story, but as a young mom, I allowed myself to be influenced by well-meaning older Christians and it didn’t bear the fruit that I had hoped for in my older children. Now, I still believe that God’s Word does not come back void and though I made many mistakes, I also know I did a lot of things right, as it is in this journey we call parenting. HOWEVER- it is always a goal of mine, year after year, to improve and allow God to work in me so that He may work in my family.
With that said, I am going to devote some more time to pray about this in the coming weeks. I am going to ask the Lord to shine a light on the areas I need to do better in or correct so that I may not hinder the children from coming to Him.
Back to you
What struck you most about this week’s reading? Do you feel convicted about any specific areas where you may possibly be hindering your children? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Don’t forget your questions for week 5, Hindering the Children! Click the image below for your free download!
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