Proverbs 31:15

I loathe to admit this, but I hate to get up early, much less while it is still dark out!  I have often thought of these convicting words in the scriptural prescription of a godly wife and mother. 

Proverbs 31:15

She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.  NASU

I enjoy staying up late.  I relish the quiet time with all the girls in bed and I can catch up on work or reading without interruption.  However, sometimes I am so absorbed in my activity that I stay up too late.  That makes for a grumpy wife, mommy and teacher the next day. 

The other day I was listening to my girls describe being homeschooled to a friend from church.  Basically the only complaint was that sometimes mommy got angry if they didn't get the problem right.  OUCH!  Yes, earlier that day I was very irritable and sinned in my reaction to their work. Yes, I could try to justify myself by mentioning that the problem was one they had done many times before, or that I had just showed her how to do it again, or that their attitude was pouty and disrespectful, but the fact remained of my sin.  I usually do ask for forgiveness fairly quickly because I hate that I do it.  I never yelled at my public school children.  I want to treat my own girls with just as much respect and patience.  So I determined last night to set my alarm for 7 and get up so I won't start the day rushed and feeling behind. 

It was so hard to get out of bed.  The alarm clock is in the school room (to help us keep our lessons 30 min. or shorter per subject) which is next door to our bedroom so I had to get out of bed to turn it off.  Turning back to my bed, I fought the temptation to tip-toe back in and slip between the sheets of peaceful slumber! Then God reminded me about the reason I was getting up early.  I need that time to talk to Him, to read something edifying, and to start the day knowing that I have plenty of time. 

So we had a wonderful school day today!  The girls did their part to have all morning chores and breakfast finished before 8:30AM, too!  Everyone clipped right along through their work and we had some great discussions as well.  By lunch time only one girl had one assignment left to finish. I am so thankful and inspired again to obey and learn from God's Word!  I know that it will not be easy again in the morning, but it will be worth it. 

I pray that one day when my girls describe me and how I led our days, that it will be more like Proverbs 31 and NOT the description I heard in the van this past week!

With All My Heart~
Eva