heartofdakota.com

I hesitate to share this, because I don't want it in anyway to be perceived as a prideful boast. But I really feel the Lord leading me to share something my son wrote this week. We are doing Bigger Hearts for His Glory and just having a wonderful time. I am really seeing the Lord use the bible studies, history and storytime to touch my boys' hearts. One day this week after school, my son was having his afternoon alone time. We are together so much of the day, that I really like for my 3 boys to have some alone time for a while each afternoon to pursue their individual interests.

At one point, he ran up and asked me how to spell the word depths. "Hmmm" I thought. "I wonder what he is up to?" After an hour, I called for my almost 9 year old Ben to come upstairs for something. He said he was in the middle of something really important. I wondered what it could be. Well, he had spent the afternoon writing his very own hymn of worship to the Lord. I wanted to share it with you all...

The Name I Love to Hear

Jesus Christ is my Savior's name. I will worship Him always.

Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is the name I love to hear.

Jesus Christ you know it all. I am small to your power.

Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is the name I love to hear.

Jesus Christ is my redeemer. You saved me from the depths of sin.

Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is the name I love to hear.

Jesus Christ..I am His and He is mine. I love Him and He loves me.

Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is the name I love to hear.

I just about lost it when he showed it to me. This came on the heels of me having a conversation with my husband the night before about whether homeschooling was really worth it in the long term. Though I feel called and am committed to homeschooling as long as the Lord directs us to, I sometimes really wonder how homeschooling will affect my boys. Well, I know the Lord used this as a clear affirmation that what we are doing with our kids DOES matter and it DOES make a difference. An eternal difference! I was just pondering what my son would have been doing at those exact moments if he had been away at school. I shudder to think of all the possibilities.

I am praising our glorious God for so many things tonight! His tenderly calling my children to Himself in a personal way, His clear direction for my husband and I to disciple and train our children at home, the freedom we currently have in this nation to homeschool and Carrie and her loving service to write this wonderful curriculum that gives God ALL the glory!

Thank you for allowing me to share my testimony not only on HOD and the impact it is having on my kids, but most importantly to our Almighty God who is worthy of ALL praise and glory!

Heather

This is beautiful! Praise God!
Thanks for sharing!
Dorla

Thank you for sharing something so special and sweet with the rest of us. You should feel proud because you are obviously doing something wonderful and having such an amazing influence on your children.

This brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful! The LORD is surely working in your son's heart.

Thank you for sharing that!

I have noticed that every since we started HOD (Beyond), that the children and I are having more and more conversations about God and the Bible. So, yes, teaching them at home is definitely worth it, and has eternal consequences!

Thank you for sharing this beautiful story! The Lord's work in his heart is so evident. I rejoice with you! It's exciting to think what God has planned for their futures, isn't it?

WOW! That is amazing. What a sweet heart your child has. Thank you for sharing it with us!

What a special treasure, Heather! I think his hymn is wonderful. And, more importantly, it's a testimony that his heart is truly wanting to glorify God. I wholeheartedly agree that the eternal impact of helping our kids' develop an intimate relationship with the Lord is the most important thing we can do!! (And I just love being able to chat with other like-minded moms here on the HOD board. It's so refreshing to talk with others who have the same goals. ) I know it wasn't an accident that God gave you this little gift to show how important your job as a homeschooling mom is, either. He seems to know when we need a little encouragement.

Kathleen

Praise the Lord! Isn't our God amazing? He knew you needed some encouragement in your decision to homeschool, and He gave it in a resounding way. I would hold on to your ds's hymn. This is a moment to remember. May the Lord continue to move in your homeschooling days with HOD! I do not find this prideful in any way - in fact, I find it a way to do what we've all been created to do - which is to bring glory to God. Please tell your ds the ladies on the HOD board are so proud of him (unless he'd be embarrassed as boys can be sometimes )!

In Christ,
Julie

Heather,

What a precious hymn your son wrote. The words are so beautiful! I know the Lord is glorified through your son's words. Thank you so much for sharing as we seek to honor the Lord above all with what we write, and this is a blessed affirmation for me as well. You had me teared up tonight!

Blessings,
Carrie