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Here in these northern
woods we are witnessing the great miracle of spring, her gentle eruptions, over
night the dawn birds have returned to sing their awaking beauty, the ice is
trickling and life is coming back. We notice something more each day, we cannot
keep up with the unfurling of this season.
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~
Through those long
winter months I agonised, even grieved of the idealism of my expectations for
nature study, a core in the Charlotte Mason approach to education. Each of us
got weary of journaling the grays and whites of winter, life around us lay dormant.
I was filled with concern over the few entries my students made in their
nature journals. I felt we had missed the point, the very heart of this
educational system I believe so fully in.
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All of these long
months as winter's scape stretch simple and silent my mind was busy, wondering
at the ideals and my fallen expectation. I read the articles, the writings and studies,
alarm bells ringing over the loss of childhood and the disassociation a
whole generation has with nature. There are labels and dysfunctions rearing up
in the over-privileged under-nurtured children of the western world.
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~
My husband fills in
the blanks of my concern when he tells me of the recent hires he makes for the
company he works for. These university educated, multiple degree holders, accolades
from the most prestigious private schools, high GPA's and on a resume it is a
managers dream to have such educated employees... right?
He tells me it is not so.
For the institutionalized brilliance lack one critical ability, to think for themselves, to associate and problem solve when a text book no longer has answers. How does a manager teach an overly educated young adult to think for himself, to awake problem solving and move beyond formulated thinking?
He tells me it is not so.
For the institutionalized brilliance lack one critical ability, to think for themselves, to associate and problem solve when a text book no longer has answers. How does a manager teach an overly educated young adult to think for himself, to awake problem solving and move beyond formulated thinking?
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He says he now hires
the farmers sons and young who have a natural interest in life. In interviews
he chats about summers on the coast or hiking the Rockies, or building homes on
a continent of hot red earth, about putting up hay in the long stretch of prairie
summers. Because it's the ones who have tasted life and lived through experience
that can make critical decisions in an office.
Who contribute.
~
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An ancient king, won
the heart of God. He was called a man after God's heart.
What a Holy Honour.
He was a murderer,
adulterer, he watched his children turn away from the God he so loved.
I have wondered in light of the faults of this king, what was it that brought such a blessed complement
from Heaven?
Could it be his understanding
of God's majesty displayed though nature?
The great King
David's poetry, prayers, Psalms all reference nature.
He knew the God of
nature and he saw His majestic touch swept over this earth.
All the miraculous
details.
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As an educator I want
to lead my students to this God and his beauty in our world.
Not through texts and
fill in the blanks, but with a true inquisitive spirit.
That's what lay dormant
all winters long.
As a mama and teacher
I worried.
But the God of grace
lead me to see that spring indeed comes.
I can be assured
God's seasons are filled with wisdom if I am willing to lean into their rhythms.
With spring my
students natural interest are awakening,
there is not enough time to keep up
with their inquires and excitement!
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Why did I worry?
And so I step back,
humbled, realizing yet again that so much of my journey is about learning to
become masterly inactive.
Lean always more into the rhythms of God's gentle wisdom.
Lean always more into the rhythms of God's gentle wisdom.
~
