As parents, we want to develop a heart of ministry in our children. But we have seen on too many occasions that busyness can be a big side effect of ministry. We try to participate in things that keep us together as a family, and we also try to make sure that we aren’t called away from home a lot for the sake of ministry. Our family time is important,and we protect it as much as we can.
So we asked ourselves how can we do make family time and ministry a priority without sacrificing either?
A very simple idea came to me about a year ago, and it has been one of the greatest blessings to our family. How often we try to make things much harder than they should be!!
What works for us in combining our home school and ministry does not require a lot of time, it does not require us to leave home, and does not require a lot of money! It is so simple, you may never have thought of it. Are you ready for the big reveal?
We write letters.
Yes, that is it. Or that may seem like that is it. But it has actually become more of a ministry than I ever imagined. We have a file box of addresses of family and friends. Once a week, we will choose a family or person to write to. I haven’t set any precedence for what they write, I just let them write about whatever is on their hearts. We combine them in an envelope together, pray for the person we are sending it to and send them out. So many people have been blessed by their letters. Many times people will write back and my kids love getting mail so that is alway exciting! We have had so many tell us how these letters have brightened their day, how they save each letter, how it came at “just the right time”. It has become an activity we look forward to.
While writing, our children are developing skills such as spelling, grammar, handwriting and more. To us, that is just a side benefit though. I would encourage everyone to incorporate this into their family! In a day where most people communicate by email and there is so much junk mail in our mailboxes, a handwritten letter of love is a rare thing.
What are some other ways you have used your home school as a ministry? How do you balance family time with ministry?
{ 4 comments }
I can’t think of any ideas now but i must say that letter writing is a good idea for me to start with. My child is learning to write now and it’ll be great have her write on a piece of paper than to type on a computer. Its true that writing is getting rare nowadays since many youngster are so hooked on their computers.
judy´s last blog: Dec 18, How to teach music to my homeschool kid?
What a beautiful idea.
Hallee
Hallee´s last blog: 400th Comment Winner!
Sweet and wonderful idea!
Allyson´s last blog: Why I STILL love my MobyWrap!
Love this and am passing on the idea to my friends who homeschool. I may even find a similar ministry for my two year olds. They can color!
becky @ our sweet peas´s last blog: Chore Charts and Potty Training
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