When we started on the Charlotte Mason method with my first son, one of the things I loved was the fact that hymns were a mainstay. I got to buy a book from Booksale for P10 on Hymns by Aled Jones, and we happily set off to learn the songs by heart.

When we finished all the hymns in the book, I resorted to using the free list on AmblesideOnline. Although it was very convenient, over time, it became more difficult for us to do consistently–first because of our weak Internet connection then, ar a time I really had to rely on YouTube. In any case, it seemed to be one of the things that was easiest to let slide. Of course there were bursts of seasons when we would do it consistently—it really helped when we finally got a stable Internet connection. I would say it’s like an ebb and flow for us 🙂

A couple of weeks ago, I was having breakfast with the kids, and I remembered that we used to enjoy singing our hymns and folk songs together after a meal. I announced that we would do so right after eating. But, I don’t remember what ticked me off that I ended up reprimanding one of them. The atmosphere was thick with my anger and disappointment, and I was tempted to just stalk off to my room after eating instead of doing what I’d said we would.

But my commitment to integrity won out, and I grudgingly went over to where we had our iPad set up and searched the hymn for the month. When I turned it on (it was a peppy song entitled “I Know Whom I Have Believed”), up loud, and we all started singing along, I felt—-literally!—the atmosphere shift, my cares falling off my shoulders, and tears welled up in my eyes.

This was exactly what we needed at that point. Peace was restored, I was in a much lighter mood, and it reminded me of what AmblesideOnline Advisory Wendi Capehart told me when we met a few years ago, of the power of singing hymns regularly. In fact, although most CM curricula include hymns once a week, she recommended singing it once everyday!

Yes, hymns are a great thing to have in our kids’ curriculum, with the language and the doctrine they get to learn along the way. But I think I need it more for my Mama heart! Come, let’s sing together?