Catechesis

By Veronica

Our five-year-old daughter is learning violin by the Suzuki method. Suzuki depends upon family involvement. I attend her lessons with her. I practice each day with her. We listen to an assigned cd of music together each day, or at least we are supposed to.

This requires a lot of commitment. We need to structure our day to include time for violin practice, even when, quite frankly, it sometimes bores me. It means giving up other things I would rather do. It means mustering enthusiasm even when I don’t feel it. And we do this all for the violin.

When we are willing to change our lives this much for her to learn a musical instrument, it makes me consider what other, more important things I have not adequately committed to. Do I spend as much deliberate time shaping her character and teaching her the things we believe in?

We have also embarked on a new domestic adventure as a family (you can read about it here), and it is very time-consuming. We have changed our lives to support certain goals, and as I stir a pot of simmering homemade ketchup or announce practice time again, I remember the need to show her in the very structure of our lives the truths that are most important.

I remember the need and I turn off the computer. I gather the children around. I open up that special book, and I begin to read.