Literature, Liturgy, Language and Leisure
By Rea Berg
Literature
“Looking at literature first, let’s examine how it works to this end. The primary work of literature to which we owe the greatest attention is the Scriptures. No other book has the power to transform our minds, renew our spirits, comfort our emotional pains, or correct our flawed ways. When we give it primacy, no matter what life throws at us we will be firmly established on the Rock.
But how does a young mother carve out time for the Scriptures when nursing babies and nocturnal feedings have left her too sleep deprived to even consider early morning devotions? Or care for an elderly parent has left us fatigued and spent? As a young mother with four little ones under the age of 6, I struggled painfully to try to set aside those morning times, with little success. I wish someone had given me the wise advice that Susan Schaeffer Macaulay incorporated into her life! It would have saved me years of guilt.
Rather than lamenting the loss of an early morning quiet time, Susan profited from following in the footsteps of her mentor, Charlotte Mason, who planned her days so that the best time of each day was set aside to spend in leisure with God—right after her afternoon walk outside. For her, teatime was the time for personal leisure, a time when she felt “quite fresh.” Having worked hard all day and soon to start again, she’d look forward to this hour when she could give full attention to God and “feed on His promises with thanksgiving.”3 How wonderfully liberating this pursuit then becomes! We are not constrained to a forced duty but are refreshed by a special time set aside to bask and enjoy our Lord in prayer and in his Word.
Other literature choices then round out our day as we study history through biography, historical novels, and Shakespeare, and for little ones, historical picture books, poetry, limericks, folk tales, and fairy tales. These choices then build upon and enhance our knowledge of life and human nature while giving wisdom and building character. Even on a day when the children are all sick and sleep has been lost due to coughs and upset tummies, joy and dignity can be found through curling up together before a fire, getting out a much-loved family read-aloud, brewing a comforting cup of tea, and momentarily escaping the present through the wonder of words.”
Copyright 2009, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com
3 comments
fittingly, one of my good friends just started a blog for literature lovers:
http://themarlowebookshelf.blogspot.com/
Oh, I just love your blog. My heart aches each time I think about H’schooling. I have so many mixed emotions about doing it again. Will I be able to do it and be disciplined? Will my kids suffer because they enjoy public school? Will I hate it because I need down time? Will DH ever consider letting me do it again, since I have failed before? etc., etc. Sometimes I wish you were next door so I could come over and chat with you.
Marcee,
Oh, I do too! I don’t know all the factors in your situation, but please don’t let “fear of failure” discourage you! There are so many directions I could go with that, but suffice it to say, no one has more opportunity and desire to give your children what they need than you do!