I posted this great quote a few days ago by itself, but it prefaced an incredible article by Rea Bert, (“Literature, Liturgy, Language and Leisure”) reflecting on some of the philosophies of Charlotte Mason and I just had to share it. We would do well to visit and visit again these principles of life that create an ebb and flow of education in our homes rivaling any other educational model on the planet.
“It is wholly impossible to live according to Divine order, and to make a proper application of heavenly principles, as long as the necessary duties which each day brings seem only like a burden grievous to be borne. Not till we are ready to throw our very life’s love into the troublesome little things can we be really faithful in that which is least and faithful also in much. Every day that dawns brings something to do, which can never be done as well again. We should, therefore, try to do it ungrudgingly and cheerfully. It is the Lord’s own work, which He has given us as surely as He gives us daily bread. We should thank Him for it with all our hearts, as much as for any other gift. It was designed to be our life, our happiness. Instead of shirking it or hurrying over it, we should put our whole heart and soul into it.” —James Reed
Mr. Reed’s advice captures the essence of what is the Christian’s greatest struggle and triumph. I think it also echoes Charlotte Mason’s philosophy in her appeal to women to make our homes and the education of our children a labor of joy, cheer, kindness, and love. In the everyday humdrum of life and its oft-tedious monotonous toils, it is only a divine joy that can sustain us and enable us to continue faithful to the end. Does this mean a sort of head-into-the-wind mindless determination to be joyful when we feel no joy whatsoever springing up in our hearts? Does this mean a stern will to be happy? I don’t think so, and I don’t think either Charlotte Mason or James Reed would have said so. It is our perspective that needs continual refreshing.
“…but we must sustain a child’s inner life with ideas as we sustain his body with food.”
It is an inescapable truth that dirty diapers, full trash cans, and piles of soiled laundry are not likely to inspire any of us with a sense of divine joy. But fellow pilgrim, as we shoulder on together we ought not to despair, as we are given some wonderful tools to bring dignity, light, and interest to the most mundane of days.
In the quotidian round of duties and schedules, we often miss the riches we’ve been given as Christians that allow us to live life with meaning, purpose, and vision. Charlotte Mason understood the importance of ideas and what powerful tools they are for nurturing life. She noted:
“Education is a life. That life is sustained on ideas. Ideas are of spiritual origin, and God has made us so that we get them chiefly as we convey them to one another, whether by word of mouth, written page, Scripture word, musical symphony; but we must sustain a child’s inner life with ideas as we sustain his body with food.”
Charlotte Mason understood that even the mediocrity of everyday routines can be shot through with meaning and import when we are mindful of encouraging ourselves and our children with ideas that transport us out of the every day. Looking at literature, liturgy, language, and leisure as keys in this pursuit may be helpful. If we consider natural ways to incorporate these four gifts into our everyday worlds, we can tap into what countless others have discovered as rich treasuries of inspiration, wisdom, vision, and hope.
Copyright 2009, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
13 comments
Good morning! I love the Charlotte Mason approach to education. We are returning to it this coming school year after four years in a co-op. (http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/03/what-were-doing-for-school-next-year.html)
My shelves are filled with great American literature and I can’t wait to delve into it with my younger five children as I did with my older five in earlier years.
Could you post a link to Rea Berg’s whole article? I’m also going to read your Charlotte Mason series — I notice the suggested articles listed under “You might also like” with this post.
Virginia,
That sounds like fun! I *heart* CM’s philosophy of education. It just resonates deep within me. Here is the article in its entirety:
http://www.crosswalk.com/homeschool/11609042/
I hope you enjoy my other posts on CM as well!
I figured you were a Charlotte Mason girl. I hadn’t read far enough in the book yet, but from the title. I only just discovered her about 2 months ago so I now KNOW God led me to your website on purpose. Can’t wait to get time to finish the e-book and write a review. Thanks.
Oh, I loved this post! I’ve had homeschooling on my mind quite a bit lately as I try to figure out what path we’re going to take with next year’s curriculum. We used Rod & Staff this year, but are considering a classical Christian approach… maybe Veritas Press. I’d love it if you / your readers sent over their suggestions and experiences! My oldest son will be doing first grade next year, so we are pretty new at this.
Thanks for this post.
Love CM! I lead a CM book club for my homeschool assoc. Currently reading thru Volume 1. So much great stuff!
Great article!
Wonderfully put…and very encouraging and great at spurring me on towards better in Christ!
This is great stuff, Kelly. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Do you know who James Reed is? I googled the name, but doubt that this is one associated with the Donner party. :-0 ?
I’ve looked at CM’s work twice now (Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning) and she looks mighty cool! Gorgeous work to recommend, Kelly 🙂
I have really enjoyed using Charlotte Mason’s approach to education. I believe it is the most holistic and natural approach available. She keeps the love and wonder in learning.
I truly appreciate the resources available to homeschooling families which have the Charlotte Mason approach incorporated. We use amblesideonline.org for our curriculum. I appreciate how Bible is included. I would teach Bible as part of my curriculum anyway, but it’s nice to see it there. We use Apologia Press for science because it confirms Biblical truths and God’s creative presence in nature.
fittingly, one of my good friends just started a blog for literature lovers:
http://themarlowebookshelf.blogspot.com/
I read some more of your Charlotte Mason posts and enjoyed them. I also decided to use that LinkedIn widget (that lists related posts at the bottom of each post) on four of my own blogs and I’ve already noticed more traffic from one post to another. This is good for me since I will be blogging a lot about Charlotte Mason methods this year at http://www.startwellhomeschool.blogspot.com.
Speaking of Charlotte Mason, my sister, who no longer home schools her children, just sent me a box of about 30 books, mostly “living literature.” Among them is A Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levinson, which was published back in 1996. It’s a very readable book (less than 100 pages) — probably not much new to me buta still a wonderful source of reminders and encouragement. Don’t you find it helpful to go back and be refreshed in certain areas? I do!
Virginia,
Absolute. Whether it’s CM or how to be a better wife, I think it’s 20% knowledge, and 80% reminding 😉
I think most people are truly trying their best and just “don’t know what they don’t know”. Only by God’s grace and a sort of stumbling upon did our family ever learn about the beauty of a CM education. I’m sure if people only knew how her philosophy and method truly twice blesses – the teacher and the child – they would embrace it as wholeheartedly as we do. Thank you for your wonderful post!