PINIMAGE
Originally Posted November 8, 2011
Sophie casually mentioned the other morning before school, “Oh, mommy, I had homework to do and turn in today.” Thinking back to the prior evening, I recalled that we were out and there was no time to do the work then. So, I said to her, “Sophie, go get your backpack and do it now.” Her response was, “But I don’t know how to do it!”
I thought to myself…“Don’t know how to do it? How can you not know how to do it? You don’t even know what the assignment is!!”
My immediate response was, “I will show you what to do, but you gotta unpack it first.”
She’s been saying the same thing since school in first grade began for her. First grade is a time when you have to step it up and take on more responsibility – you have “real” homework. When Sophie began first grade, we were told to spend time working with her strengthening her reading skills. She had learned the very basics in kindergarten but, as she entered 1st grade, she was expected to build on the principles she had learned.
The only way to get her where she needed to be was daily practice. In the beginning, we would sit down and she would whine, “I can’t do it! I don’t know how to read!” Then I would have to take time explaining that it was the exact reason we were working on it together. I always reminded her that, when it came to her homework, she would always have me there to help her.
.jpg "First Day of School")
Now we are in a homework routine, and since Sophie knows that I am right here, I sometimes sit quietly and allow her to struggle through some of the concepts so that she can grow. Those times are more challenging but I constantly remind her I am here. And this is the process each day.
Why? Because I want Sophie to be miserable? No. Why do I make her do this?
Because I want her to enjoy reading. Because I love her and know that it’s up to me to help her grow and learn. Because there’s good that comes from this hard work.
God spoke to me about my own life through the experience with Sophie and her homework that morning. When God gives me an assignment I often say, “God, I can’t do it.” – Many times that’s my reply before I even set out. I even resort to whining at times. In my mind I make excuses as to why this assignment is impossible for me – why it seems unfair. Then God says, “I will show you what to do but you gotta unpack it first.” In other words, “Tammy. I have given you something to do. I will walk with you through this task. I am giving you this because I love you. You won’t do it alone.”
Has God given you an assignment?
Maybe you need to write that letter, or make that phone call.
Maybe He’s asking you to forgive someone who has hurt you.
Maybe He’s asking to start something new.
Maybe He’s trying to take you deeper in your relationship with Him.
Have you protested from the very start without even considering the fact that He will be with you through it? That there will be good that comes from it? That it’s an opportunity for growth? He tells us the purpose of His assignments for us in Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”.
I know stepping out is only the beginning. When we say “yes” to the assignment, it doesn’t mean it necessarily gets easy from that point on…it just means we’re doing what God has given us to do; and we’re doing it with Him by our side. Do you think Sophie has mastered reading yet? In a nutshell…Uh no. But like all of us, she’s growing and learning every day!
