Soul Consideration

One of my favorite school catalogs is Timberdoodle. Timberdoodle is a family owned operation, located back in the woods near Shelton, Washington. When we lived in Washington state, the children and I would take a little trip to go pick up our order. It didn't save a bit of money, between gas and an inevitable stop for a treat along the way, but it sure was pleasant. We have never been disappointed with either the service or the products from Timberdoodle.

But, in addition, much of what I enjoy about Timberdoodle is the catalog itself. There always is a bit of pondering and wisdom that the family shares with their customers, and the May email catalog is no exception.

From the Timberdoodle May newsletter:

"J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), a profound and faithful pastor, wrote a timeless book, The Duties of Parents. In it he sets forth this admonition:
"Train with this thought continually before your eyes-that the soul of your child is the first thing to be considered. Precious, no doubt, are these little ones in your eyes; but if you love them, think often of their souls. No interest should weigh with you so much as their eternal interests. No part of them should be so dear to you as that part which will never die.

...This is the thought that should be uppermost on your mind in all you do for your children. In every step you take about them, in every plan, and scheme, and arrangement that concerns them, do not leave out that mighty question, "How will this affect their souls?"

It may seem an odd thing to attend a curriculum fair, or browse a curriculum catalog with your child's soul and not the state's scope and sequence as your guide. What are your children's besetting sins and are your choices for curriculum enhancing or extinguishing them?

Further on in his booklet J.C. Ryle says, "...He that has trained his children for heaven, rather than for earth,-for God, rather than for man, -- he is the parent that will be called wise at last."

"Trained for heaven, rather than for earth..."
Soul considerations...