A Frame of Reference
On a recent walk, Ray and I saw a beautiful collection of spider webs. I’m sorry now that I didn’t have my camera along, but this phone photo will give you a bit of an idea of the beautiful display.
A few days later, while walking beside a wire fence, I noticed that spiders had built webs inside some of its squares. Yesterday I tried to capture a photo of one of them for you. The lighting wasn’t really conducive but at least you can see it a little bit.
The spider that created this web conformed its design to the square. The square was its frame of reference—no pun intended. When you homeschool, you have a wealth of opportunities to provide a frame of reference for your children. A frame of reference is another way to express the idea of a worldview. Every day we must stop and make sure we are training their worldview to be centered on Christ and not on the world.
See to it that no one takes you captive
through philosophy and empty deception,
according to the tradition of men,
according to the elementary principles of the world,Â
rather than according to Christ.
Colossians 2:8
And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
so that you may prove what the will of God is,
that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
In some ways, I look at this web in its square and feel sorry for the people who don’t know how to get out of their squares and grow beyond them. On the other hand, I feel sorry for the people who have no boundaries and don’t know where to anchor their lives.
We all need to pray for wisdom so that we stay within the safe boundaries God has provided for our good while experiencing the growth He offers to us in Jesus. We want for our children what the apostle Paul wanted for the Christians in Colossae. When you read these verses from Colossians, try inserting your child’s name every time Paul uses the word “man.” Now, there’s a good goal going into this school year.
We proclaim Him,
admonishing every man
and teaching every manÂ
with all wisdom,
so that we may present every manÂ
complete in Christ.Â
For this purpose also I labor,
striving according to His power,
which mightily works within me.
Colossians 1:28-29