Who told you that?

So I was once again reminded last week of why our family has chosen the home schooling route. Granted, it's not for everyone, but for us it fits! Well anyway, last week we went to Family Video for a family treat and while there they had signs up advertising a promotion they were holding. Since Levi has blossomed into quite the reader, he started reading the sign "Receive free rentals for A's on your report card". Now to most people, the meaning of this ad is clear, but to Levi it made no sense.  So the next question came, "Mom, what is a report card?" In that moment I was made aware of a difference in the culture of my household than in those of a traditional schooling family and I smiled :)

I am thankful that all of my children have grown up in an atmosphere that doesn't assign a grade value to the work that they do. I am not interested in what grade they get on an assignment, I want to know that they are learning the material and we will work on it until they do. That means so much more to me than assigning a grade. I even have difficulty saying that my children are in a certain grade. Whose to say that my 10 year old is in 4th grade? He may be at a 4th grade level in certain subjects, ahead in others, and behind in others, so what "grade" is that? So then I started wondering why does our society so desperately need to assign labels, comparing, contrasting, and magnifying differences?

How would a child turn out if they were raised without all of these society labels and expectations? What if the only feedback they received was from their parents who would reinforced who God said that they were? How would your life change if the only voice you listened to was from your Heavenly Daddy? You are more than what society has labeled you, you are more than a number on a scale, or a credit score, or a diagnosis from a doctor! Who told you that? If it wasn't your Heavenly Daddy, then don't listen to it! Jesus, help us to live without the labels of this world and to understand more who You say that we are! Now some pictures of the crew!

My Pretty little ballerina

Grandma and Levi at his 10th Birthday in May

Isabella enjoying summer ice cream time!

Liberty enjoying her newest birthday present.