Teaching From Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakeable Peace - A Review

I know I am a bit spoiled.  For years and years, my friend and encourager, was my yearly homeschool portfolio evaluator. Each year, in the month of May, I received a pep talk and a reminder that when God calls, He equips.  My friend, a veteran homeschooler herself, pointed me back to Jesus, time and again.  She was my cheerleader and always had nothing but the best of wisdom to share. I'm grateful.  Sadly, my friend passed away unexpectedly...and I've missed her greatly.  Yet, her encouragement is fresh in my mind and bubbles up within my heart.  I know it will never pass away.

As I've encourage other homeschooling moms, I've prayed for a resource that I might share with others that might also point them back to Jesus. Sometimes we need to marinate in the truth, and a book helps us do that.  So much of the angst that moms face in homeschooling comes about when we try to homeschool in our own power.  There is a better way!  Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakeable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie is exactly the tool I've been hoping to find.  While the author writes from a Classical and Catholic educational background (I am neither),  the principles within this book apply to any homeschooling method, are based upon the grace of Jesus Christ,  and are theologically sound.  Throughout the text there are occasional quotes from Catholic saints and Classical Christian educators.  That aside, this book is of excellent encouragement regardless of your theological background or current educational method.  For me, it was like sitting down for a cup of tea with my dear friend.

 



 

Teaching From Rest is broken down into four sections, each containing four chapters.

I. You Were Made For This

Sarah encourages us to walk in our sacred calling as mothers with acceptance and surrender, whilst seeing our children as God sees them.  Are we struggling through a daily grind?  Or is our daily grind, holy ground? Are moments of tears and tantrums wearisome experiences that we must survive?  Or are they divine appointments in which God has called us to share His love, grace and instruction?

II. He's Got This

Such an awesome unit!  Sarah teaches us to walk in the way that God has made us.  We don't need to teach the way our friends do.  We are not all lapbooking, volcano building, sentence diagramming, super moms and that is okay!  Sarah points us to Jesus in four excellent chapters which will inspire and empower you to walk in faith.

III. Slow the Heck Down

These chapters focus on simplifying, while focusing on the important stuff.  There are four chapters overflowing with all the practical information you need to teach from a place of rest.  So excited to see such wisdom all in one place!

IV. We're All In This Together

This last section is a set of excellent chapters covering the logistical issues of homeschooling.  What can I do with my toddler, while I teach my older children?  What is morning time and how might I use this time in a restful manner? Do I have reasonable expectations of myself and my children?  What does it means to build margin into my day? Is multi-tasking healthy or is it a myth?

 

Favorite quotes:

"Why, come a damp and gloomy day in March, do we yell over a  math lesson or lose our temper over a writing assignment? Why do we see the lessons left to finish and get lost in an anxiety-ridden haze? We forget that we are dealing with a soul, a precious child bearing the image of God, and all we can see is that there are only a few months left to the school year and we are still only halfway through the math book.  When you are performing mommy triage - that is, when you have a crisis moment and have to figure out which fire to put out first- always choose your child. It's just a math lesson. It's only a writing assignment. It's a Latin declension. Nothing more." ~Page 33, Teaching From Rest

 

"You are made in the image and likeness of God, and you have exactly what you need to be the mother that He wants you to be." ~ Page 46, Teaching From Rest

 

"We are weary because we forget about grace. We act as though God showing up is the miracle. But guess what? God showing up is the given. Grace is a fact." ~Page 49, Teaching From Rest

 

"Real learning happens when a child encounters an idea for himself." Page 53, Teaching From Rest

 

"It doesn't really matter how far in the book we get. What matters is what happens in the mind and heart of our student, and for that matter- in ourselves.": ~Page 64, Teaching From Rest

 

"By definition, to be efficient is to achieve maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense. But relationships don't flourish or grow that way. Relationships need time, spent lavishly. Homeschooling is all about relationships, and relationships just aren't efficient. " ~Page 85, Teaching From Rest

 

 Highly Recommended

Not since, Educating the Whole-Hearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson , have I come across such a quality resource.  The message is needed.  Homeschooling moms are burning out and giving up because they have not learned to homeschool in the grace of Jesus.  I loved every page.  I read it twice, and then discussed it with a friend.  I recommend the full kit, which comes with the book, a companion workbook, and several audio recordings.  You will not be disappointed.  If you read anything before you begin teaching in the new school year, let it be this book.

Click here for Teaching From Rest Free Printables!

Also Recommended:

Educating the WholeHearted Child -- Third Edition

 

Grateful for Grace,



 

 

 

Against the Tide by Watchman Nee

This was an interesting book, being a biography of Watchman Nee's life. He had a heart for the Lord and taught others at every opportunity for the reason of his hope. Born in the early 1900's, he died in a communist prison in China, after twenty years of incarceration, because of his faith.

The reading was a bit tiresome, but the last few chapters were excellent. Mr. Nee never lost hope and possessed a joy that could only have come from Jesus.

Recommended, but I'm also exploring the option of reading the Heroes of the Faith version of Mr. Nee's biography. It might be a bit more concise, and more interesting especially to young people. (I found myself skim reading the bulk of this book. A lot of detail is included...)

Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow

I recently re-read this book, having once checked it out from the library. I confess I skim-read it during that time, having learned many of it's principles in other material. I'm glad I spent time during this reading to ponder it a bit more deeply. I do plan on going back through to answer some of the Bible study questions in order to work out some difficulties I've been having.

I wish books like this weren't written for women alone. This book teaches truth foundational to both men and women in their walks with the Lord. That said, this book is too flowery for men. {grin}

This quote struck me between the eyes, "Quiet tension is not trust. It is simply compressed anxiety." Yep, that's been me at times. The Lord used this quote to show me that while I have made tremendous progress in trusting Him, I do have gaping areas that need my willing and complete surrender.

Then there was this one, "The load of tomorrow added to that of yesterday, carried today, makes even the strongest woman stumble." {sighs}

Following that last quote, God got to the heart of the matter, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

Humble myself. Once again, the message of "surrender," resounds in my spirit. But to humble myself so that God may lift me up when the time is ready, that carries a promise I can hang onto!

Notes to self:

1. Don't play the "What If," Game. Instead:

A. Ask yourself, "What is the worst that can happen?"
B. Accept the worst.
C. Improve on the worst in a calm fashion.

2. Don't play the "If Only," Game

A. God is sovereign and is in full control at all times. Andrew Murray has said, "I am here (1) by God's appointment (2) in His keeping (3) under His training (4) for His time." I have no idea who Mr. Murray is, but I agree with his assessment. God allowed me to be an abused child. God purposed me to walk through that experience and emerge a whole person, hurting, but not fragmented. He has used my life to His glory, not by anything I have done, but wholly by His power in me. I can therefore see what He's done for me in the past and KNOW that He will yet work in me, through the various trials and experiences of life to bring about His good purposes.
(I think I will spend my whole life learning and relearning this one.)

3. Don't play the "Why?" Game

A. You are not the only one to ask, "Why?" Read the book of Habakkuk. He asked why, but God did not tell him why. God wanted Habakkuk to trust Him. "He was to walk in the dark with God." (page 183) Boy, oh boy, I can relate! I've been walking in the dark with God since I was seven years old. I have fierce issues with being in the dark. "I heard and my inward parts trembled; at the sound my lips quivered. Decay enters my bones, and in my place I tremble. Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress, for the people to arise who will invade us." Habakkuk 3:16 Mrs. Dillow goes on to say how she can relate to Habakkuk because her body often betrays her when she had purposed to trust God in her mind. This often happens to me as well. My body rebels against trust, even when my spirit is entirely willing. "Habakkuk told his honest doubts to God. He resolved to wait on God. He chose to trust God in the dark." I've often tried to explain this to others as, "Anxiety coming in the back door." It's a good reminder to know that it's normal, that it's simply the flesh rebelling and that I can choose to surrender anyhow.

Like Mrs. Dillow I like the AMP version of Philippians 4:13, "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me -- I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me."

There is no good in my flesh, none whatsoever. But God, through the Holy Spirit will do wonderful things as I step out of His way. More of you Jesus, less of me.

(Lest anyone think I've gotten victory in this area, I must confess that I have miles to walk and much to learn. Surrender is not easy for me. There are mountains of flesh to subdue. I can only offer praise that God seems bent on teaching me surrender and what God wants always seems to be what God gets. How's that for a bit of honesty?)

I highly recommend this book.

The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee

I read the first half of The Normal Christian Life, about two years ago, but never finished it mostly because it is a book that must be pondered over time and chewed on. I recently resolved to re-read the first half and finish it. I'm so glad I did. The Lord met me to remind me of old truths and to give me new insight in order to resolve an issue or two.

Mr. Nee has a way of getting to the heart of each spiritual issue in a way that I find refreshing and challenging. His writing is needfully direct and plainspoken. His use of metaphorical pictures of comparison in several chapters was appropriate and very helpful.

Basically a Bible study of Romans 1-8 (my favorite book of the Bible), I found myself challenged on a few levels and refreshed greatly by focusing on the immense and magnificent work of Christ. Through this study of Romans, I have learned that obedience in my own power is insufficient. I must obey in Christ. To focus on Christ, get out of His way and FOLLOW Him brings light. Mr. Nee teaches obedience and grace in a balanced manner. I felt my thirst for grace was quenched while also being taught, once again, surrender.

I most appreciated that Mr. Nee taught about natural abilities verses spiritual ability. Some folks can naturally obey, but that obedience may not be out of right motivation (the love of Jesus). Therefore, it's not really obedience. Mr. Nee went quite in depth with this concept and really encouraged my heart in doing so.

I highly recommend this book. You may find this book, free online, from a few sources. The link above will bring you to a very nice online copy.