| Tulare-Kings Christian Home Educators |
| Article |
Home and Heart is Where the Food Is
Judy Gray
We cannot change the world to our way of thinking, but each of us as mothers can influence our own
family units. Obviously, as homeschool moms, we are dedicating a large part of our life for this
purpose. Personally, I have to remind myself it is not just the academics, character and socialization
that requires my attention. Developing a close bond and relationship with my daughters is so important,
and with everything else on the plate this often is neglected.
As my daughters are getting older, I see that they are becoming more independent, more able to
self-study and of course with guidance from us as parents, they are beginning to bloom socially too. We
want our children to be able to make the correct decisions, not without God's counsel of course, and we
are learning how to communicate our wisdom to them as burgeoning adults, not young children.
Until they develop their own homes, we want them to be rooted in our home. My husband and I have been
bantering back and forth on how this can be accomplished. As the years pass we will lose more and
more control of the directions our daughters take. Having been taught the love of Jesus from the time
they left the womb, I am sure because of God's promise they will stay on the walk with him, but as
young adults we want our home to be their place of choosing to receive the required nurturing young
people still need (but don't know it) as young adults.
Our answers are all homespun. Home will be where our daughters will receive gentle wisdom, support, a
shoulder to cry on, but what I want to focus on today is - home is where they can eat the best food.
Such a simple gift, but what brings friends and family closer than breaking bread with one another.
Meals are truly a gift and tool from God.
It has been a blessing in our house that my husband avoids restaurants unless absolutely necessary. But,
he desires and requests deliciously prepared food on a daily basis. Through the years 1 have had to
learn how to cook everything he and the girls desire to their demanding palates.
I did not always consider this a blessing. There were many a day when all our schedules were jammed ,
the sin of anger crept up because we couldn't just go grab a bite to eat somewhere. But, now I am
grateful and ashamed of not respecting his wishes a little more generously. Don't get me wrong, anyone
who knows me is aware my passion is cooking and gardening, but some days the plate is just too full.
Having to pull meals together in a variety of circumstances has taught me tricks and organizational skill
in the kitchen. But more importantly, it has taught me what to cook to uplift a disappointed girl, ease
the pressure of a hard business day and calm the savage beast. I have learned that one daughter will
stay home for fresh bread. Moms homemade chicken soup beats any soup out of the can, oatmeal cookies
turn an old bear into a teddy-bear.
This is my little " unit" God has given me. He has given all women the power of food, but we have to use
it. I would encourage all to attempt to omit or cut back restaurants and fast-food . Freshly cooked
meatloaf will be a far better memory after a game than any taco or hamburger purchased at a
drive-thru. At least a couple days a week make breakfast and forget the box of cereal. Personally,
when lunch time arrives, I usually want to go hide in my bedroom for a break, but committing myself to
share a salad or steamed vegetables with my daughter at the lunch table is far better use of my time.
You will for sure find meals more nutritionally sound, even if you do bake a cake or cookies
occasionally. You know the sanitary conditions are superior than any restaurant, even if your kitchen is
like mine, and we have to move homeschool clutter out of the way. You will also find it great
stewardship of you funds. My husband has always been generous when it comes to cooking and baking
supplies. He always thought it was a far better investment to purchase a wonderful pot that will last
for years than a meal in a restaurant.
I have found that there are good days and bad days, but if there is a nice meal to look forward to it
will relieve the hassles and problems of the day at least for a little while, throw in a little laughter and
you have it made. In the future 1 hope share with you other home-spun thoughts and ideas that help us
keep our chickens in the nest, but good food is by far the best.
Judy Gray
We cannot change the world to our way of thinking, but each of us as mothers can influence our own
family units. Obviously, as homeschool moms, we are dedicating a large part of our life for this
purpose. Personally, I have to remind myself it is not just the academics, character and socialization
that requires my attention. Developing a close bond and relationship with my daughters is so important,
and with everything else on the plate this often is neglected.
As my daughters are getting older, I see that they are becoming more independent, more able to
self-study and of course with guidance from us as parents, they are beginning to bloom socially too. We
want our children to be able to make the correct decisions, not without God's counsel of course, and we
are learning how to communicate our wisdom to them as burgeoning adults, not young children.
Until they develop their own homes, we want them to be rooted in our home. My husband and I have been
bantering back and forth on how this can be accomplished. As the years pass we will lose more and
more control of the directions our daughters take. Having been taught the love of Jesus from the time
they left the womb, I am sure because of God's promise they will stay on the walk with him, but as
young adults we want our home to be their place of choosing to receive the required nurturing young
people still need (but don't know it) as young adults.
Our answers are all homespun. Home will be where our daughters will receive gentle wisdom, support, a
shoulder to cry on, but what I want to focus on today is - home is where they can eat the best food.
Such a simple gift, but what brings friends and family closer than breaking bread with one another.
Meals are truly a gift and tool from God.
It has been a blessing in our house that my husband avoids restaurants unless absolutely necessary. But,
he desires and requests deliciously prepared food on a daily basis. Through the years 1 have had to
learn how to cook everything he and the girls desire to their demanding palates.
I did not always consider this a blessing. There were many a day when all our schedules were jammed ,
the sin of anger crept up because we couldn't just go grab a bite to eat somewhere. But, now I am
grateful and ashamed of not respecting his wishes a little more generously. Don't get me wrong, anyone
who knows me is aware my passion is cooking and gardening, but some days the plate is just too full.
Having to pull meals together in a variety of circumstances has taught me tricks and organizational skill
in the kitchen. But more importantly, it has taught me what to cook to uplift a disappointed girl, ease
the pressure of a hard business day and calm the savage beast. I have learned that one daughter will
stay home for fresh bread. Moms homemade chicken soup beats any soup out of the can, oatmeal cookies
turn an old bear into a teddy-bear.
This is my little " unit" God has given me. He has given all women the power of food, but we have to use
it. I would encourage all to attempt to omit or cut back restaurants and fast-food . Freshly cooked
meatloaf will be a far better memory after a game than any taco or hamburger purchased at a
drive-thru. At least a couple days a week make breakfast and forget the box of cereal. Personally,
when lunch time arrives, I usually want to go hide in my bedroom for a break, but committing myself to
share a salad or steamed vegetables with my daughter at the lunch table is far better use of my time.
You will for sure find meals more nutritionally sound, even if you do bake a cake or cookies
occasionally. You know the sanitary conditions are superior than any restaurant, even if your kitchen is
like mine, and we have to move homeschool clutter out of the way. You will also find it great
stewardship of you funds. My husband has always been generous when it comes to cooking and baking
supplies. He always thought it was a far better investment to purchase a wonderful pot that will last
for years than a meal in a restaurant.
I have found that there are good days and bad days, but if there is a nice meal to look forward to it
will relieve the hassles and problems of the day at least for a little while, throw in a little laughter and
you have it made. In the future 1 hope share with you other home-spun thoughts and ideas that help us
keep our chickens in the nest, but good food is by far the best.
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