Thoughts & Words Archives - Misty Dawn Farm

Do you know what a greenhouse is? It’s a climate-controlled place for young plants, where they are sown, germinate, tenderly cared for and given exactly what they need to grow, and to strengthen and prepare them for the harsh elements of the outside world.

As a homeschool mom, I get asked about my kids’ worldly exposure (or lack thereof), and how I expect them to be able to exist in the world if they grow up in a bubble.

It’s not a bubble. It’s a greenhouse.

The Gardener and the Seedlings

Tender young seedlings need protection and proper nourishment.

It is up to the gardener to give them just enough light, just enough water. If properly cared for, a seedling will grow strong, with a thick and healthy stem, that can withstand the storm.

When a tomato seed germinates, it is at its most tender stage. Exposed to direct sunlight, it will wither. Given too much water, it can drown. Dense soil, the roots can’t grow properly.

The gardener knows that eventually, the tomato plant has to move outside into the elements. It is their job to prepare the seedling. But too much too soon will damage it. Too little too late will weaken it.

The greenhouse provides light and warmth for the growing plant. A shelter from the storms, a place to be fed and nurtured and prepared for what comes next.

As the seedling grows, it is exposed to more. But the gardener decides when and how much. They tend their plants carefully, fertilizing them, trimming them, watering them.

A good gardener will slowly expose their plant to wind, by opening a window or two inside the greenhouse. A little wind helps strengthen the plant’s stem.

When the seedling grows larger, the gardener starts to prepare it for the move outside. A little at a time, the gardener will set the plant outside into the direct sunlight. Just for an hour or so. This step is repeated every day, and the time spent outside is lengthened.

Eventually, the seedling is strong enough to last an entire day and night outside. It’s then ready to move out into the garden. It was given everything needed to prepare it for this move. It was fed, grown safely away from bugs and pests, strengthened, and is now ready to take on the world.

Children are the Seedlings, My Home is the Greenhouse

My home is like the greenhouse, and my children like the seedlings. I am the gardener.

I am the one who is responsible for preparing them for the outside world. To raise them to be strong, capable, well nourished, Godly men and women.

Too much exposure to the world too soon will damage them. But too little too late will weaken them.

Using the greenhouse to balance and control the environment, the seedlings will flourish.

I am the gardener. I control the greenhouse. As the gardener, I keep out the pests, I pick the fertilizer, I open the window, I determine the strength and ability of the seedlings and what they’re ready for.

Children are the seedlings. Their hearts are tender and innocent. They aren’t ready for the harsh elements of the outside world. They need time in the greenhouse to be nourished, to develop deep and mature roots, and a firm and steady stem.

So no, I’m not raising my children in a bubble. It’s a greenhouse.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
john 3:16

It’s hard. This life we live. And it’s amazing. And exhausting. And rewarding. At times we thrive, when our child finally “gets it”, and we celebrate the victory. Other times we question our abilities, when our child is struggling and we can’t seem to explain it in a way they can understand. But dear homeschool Mama, you keep going, you keep trying, you keep nurturing. Because this is what we were made to do.

Teacher

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.” -Proverbs 1:8-9

Teaching these precious children is a gift. Our calling as mothers. God gave us these babies to raise to His glory, and it’s so important to remind ourselves of that in the midst of the hard moments.

Not only are we in charge of schooling our children, but in teaching them in every other way. To love the Lord, to respect their parents, to have good table manners, to be kind to others, to tidy their messes, to apologize, to say please and thank you… It’s honestly quite overwhelming sometimes.

Finding joy in this lifestyle, in this journey, creates a mindset where the work is no longer seen as a job. It’s our mission. Our goal in life. To love our husbands well and to raise our children well.

I’ll be honest, I don’t always want to be a homeschool mom. I don’t always enjoy it. Sometimes I lose sight of my joy in the mundane. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, I have to take a moment and remind myself of why I’m doing this. And what I believe God has asked of me.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” -Isaiah 40:31

Gatekeeper

As a mother, you are the gatekeeper of your home. And, as homeschool moms, we have an advantage, in that we have almost complete control over the outside influences our children experience. It is such a blessing!

I choose what (or if) they watch on TV, what music they hear, what kind of food they eat, what conversations they overhear, what books I allow into my home, etc. I am very mindful of their ages and personalities, and what they should or shouldn’t be exposed to or how sheltered they need to be.

As homeschool mamas, I’m sure we’ve all heard the comments and questions from the “well meaning” outside world. And the fact is, yes, raising my children like this is going to make them different. And that’s entirely the point!

It’s hard work, but at the end of the day, I know that I am doing the right thing. God gave this child to my husband and I. Not the government, not the school system, not the grandparents, not a daycare.

It’s our responsibility to train up the children in the way they should go.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” -Proverbs 22:6

Influencer

Another big part of being a homeschool mama, is the fact that we are in constant contact with our children. And they watch everything we do. Not only are they learning from us as we teach them, but also from our example, our daily habits, our tone of voice, how we treat their Daddy, how we speak about others, how often we’re on our phones, what makes us frustrated, and on and on.

And that is a huge responsibility; knowing that our behaviors are molding our children’s. But, when we as mamas have joy, patience and peace in our daily lives, it creates a wonderful world for these babies to grow up in.

Mentor

“Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in their behavior, teaching what is good, rather than being gossips or addicted to heavy drinking. That way they can mentor young women to love their husbands and children, and to be sensible, morally pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their own husbands, so that God’s word won’t be ridiculed.” Titus 2:3-5

Homemaker

Our joy, our fulfilment, can come from homemaking. Teaching our children is what should be “filling our cup”. Baking sourdough is my “me time”. Growing a garden to nourish my family is fun and rewarding.

My “time off” is going out to feed the animals by myself. And I enjoy that. Productivity isn’t something that should be looked at as a thing to need a break from. Our society views things differently than we once did. “Enjoyment” can be synonymous with “productivity”.

“10. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

11. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

12. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

13. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

14. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

15. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.

16. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

18. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

19. In her hand she holds the distaff, and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

21. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies merchants with sashes.

25. She is clothes with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

26. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

29. “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

30. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

-Proverbs 31: 10-31

Mama

This time we have, as “Mama” to these precious babies, is too short. We can’t waste it. We shouldn’t rush it. I want to savor it, to enjoy every second of their little songs and games. I know it’s exhausting sometimes, the constant noise and messiness. It’s easy to lose focus and spend each day living for naptime or bedtime. But those little voices will soon fade… That chubby hand won’t always reach for mine… The toothless smiles will be a distant memory… Hold on.

There’s so much happiness to be found in this life. It’s a choice we face daily, to decide that our lives will be lived for His glory, and in everything we do, no matter how mundane, we can choose joy in each moment.

My Home is a Greenhouse