Those of us who attended public school can remember the teachers that were great. The subject may not have been our favorite, but the atmosphere of a class where the teacher loved teaching, was wonderful. Of course, we can also remember the classes where no one, including the teacher, really wanted to be there. In his forward to The Seven Laws of Teaching, Douglas Wilson says: “This is what true teaching is. Love the subject in the presence of students whom you also love, and do it because you love how God is so kind to us.” This got me thinking about our life at home.

I happen to love history and literature, but I struggle with math. My children have varying opinions about these subjects, but my job is to impart wonder and truth to my children. In all of the subjects. All the time. If I’m not thrilled about math, and neither is my kid, and I present it to him in such a way that reinforces that math is drudgery, and we just have to survive it, then I am not a very good teacher.

Just like when I was little, and my mother would tell me that I don’t have to love the food in front of me, but I love the God who provided it, and I can thank Him for it. We are our kids teachers from the beginning of their lives, until they leave into adulthood. We shouldn’t forget, that we are teachers, and our students will remember us fondly, or not-so-fondly. So can we teach our children to love learning.

Everything good is from God, even long division.