my “how-to”guide

So I’m up early, pretending that I’m a morning person.  My cup of coffee is nearby, and I’m enjoying the space and time to think.  School starts soon for us, here at home.  And this year, as I prepare for what’s coming I seem to require more quiet thoughtfulness- which is hard to come by once my children are on the scene, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

As I think about what I need to accomplish, what books are left to purchase, how to organize our time and all of our supplies, the schedules, the lesson plans – I’m left slightly overwhelmed, and a tiny bit undone.  No matter what books I read, no matter who I get advice from – my home school is my own, our situation is unique.  There is no manual on how to do what needs to be done for my children.

Except this one thing.  I found it this morning, again.  It is the compass for my heart and mind: which way to go and what to do next.   John 15 says this:

1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.