What sort of commitment does it take to begin a project and know that it will not be completed in your lifetime? When we were studying the Middle Ages a few years ago, we spent some time reading about the process of building some of the great cathedrals of Europe. There were multiple generations that came and went between those who helped by laying the foundation and those who were there at the completion.
If we could only be reminded that discipling our family is like building a cathedral. We are not necessarily building for this generation alone, but for the many generations to follow, should the Lord tarry. We are working character into our children, not for their sake alone, but for the sake of their children, and their childrens' children. There are many in homeschooling circles today who recognize this and have called it everything from having a "Multi-Generational Vision" to "Building Cathedrals." It's the hope that the foundation we lay now will bear up an edifice many generations strong.
What are we doing to lay that foundation? I don't think I'm alone when we look at our inst-culture; we have the instant gratification of everything from microwaves to email, fast food to overnight shipping. Is it possible that we want insta-character in our children as well? Perhaps we want them to learn to serve others or tell the truth in 3 easy lessons like a teeth-whitening program? Maybe with the right diagnostic tools and the application of 3 service opportunities the character trait of service is now ingrained? Assuming that works for now, will the strength of that character trait stand the test of time, or the test of more than one generation?
My hope is that my boys will have clarity in the mission for our family, that they will take hold of it and carry it to their future generations. The test would be if the passion grows stronger and the cathedral more majestic over time or will it crumble and decay before it is finished. I'm praying for a cathedral that will continue to be built for many generations.
Good point, Sue Ann, and something to keep going back to and remembering as we keep at our mission. Gives another focus to the phrase "line upon line...here a little, there a little." Every little bit makes an impression, adds or detracts from lessons to be carried forward into future generations.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I struggle with that insta-character mindset. When the boys were young I was always onto the next "character curriculum" and realized that we could have done without many of those and simply "lived" character. :)
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