"Honey, I lost my job...."
"Your son has been in an accident..."
"I don't want to be married to you anymore..."
"We got a foreclosure notice in the mail...."
"I'm sorry, but the results came back as malignant...."
"Your father was rushed to the hospital..."
"I hate homeschooling. I wish I could go to public school...."
None of us have a picture perfect life. We all long for that kind of idyllic existence of clear sunny skies and productive, peaceful days. We want our children to wake up at dawn to clean their rooms, make their bed, have their quiet times, and do their chores while we are on our knees in fervent prayer for our home, church, nation, and the world. Smile.
More than likely, you have to pull your kids out of bed and just hope that you can walk through the piles on their floors to find them.
Yes, we should work toward order, routine, and schedules that work. We should train ourselves to be godly so that we can train our children to be organized, hard working, and tidy people who accomplish great things.
Often, as soon as we are on track for change and growth, we are hit with a curve ball. Out of nowhere, there is an unexpected trial. Suddenly, it doesn't seem to matter any more whether or not our children make their beds and have their quiet times. We are just trying to survive without falling apart.
Oh, dear sisters in Christ, this life on earth is full of trials and difficulties. Some of them are so painful. I wish right now that I could wipe away every sorrow and trial from your life so that you could soar on wings as eagles, so that homeschooling could be the only challenge in your life.
Alas, our dear Heavenly Father has not given me that power. But He has given me the privilege of many challenges and trials in my own life and I have homeschooled right on through them. Sometimes, I have become discouraged. Many times, I have been weary and made mistakes, but I want to teach you to fly with a broken wing. I want you to homeschool with joy and success in the midst of trial.
Fix your eyes on Jesus
Don't try to get through anything that is difficult without God's help. Pour your heart out to Him like Hannah did in First Samuel I. Don't hold anything back from the Lord. Let Him carry you in His arms of grace and love. Be bold in your prayers.
Long for Heaven
Realize that you were created to live in a perfect world, but, because of sin, you live in a fallen world. This will create a tension in you that feels like discontent, but is really a longing for Heaven (the perfect world). Put these feelings of frustration with difficulties to good use by longing for Heaven. Daydream about it so that it is your hope. This will give you an eternal perspective. I often ask myself, "Will this matter in 3 billion years?"
Accept Reality
Also, realize that because we live in a fallen world, you will experience trials. Don't think that something strange is happening or that God is picking on you. Homeschooling moms around the world experience similar challenges. Reality is that we will never have a picture-perfect world this side of Heaven.
Evaluate
Look at the crisis or trial that you are facing. Is it short-term or long-term? How will it influence you and your family financially, emotionally, and physically? What things do you need to do so that your family can live through this challenge. Remember, if God lets it happen, He has a plan to get you through it!
Persevere
I see myself as a turtle. I just plod along doing what I'm called by Jesus to do no matter what happens. God has called me to homeschool, mentor women, and lead worship. This callings all involve weekly tasks that must be done so that I can be faithful to my calling. I continue on in my routine as much as possible whenever I am faced with new challenges. I find that routine gives me a sense of stability and security in the midst of trials.
Adapt
When my mother died unexpectedly, I had to drive down to South Florida to take care of Daddy and clean out their home twice a month. I would take the little ones with me and their books. We would set up school at Daddy's dining room table and they would do their work while I sorted though papers and china in the next room. It was hard on us all, but we sang and prayed together on these longs trips and my children ministered to my Dad.
Involve Your Homeschooling
When Daddy moved into an assisted living facility five minutes away, we saw him once or twice a day. My children went over for visits and learned to plug in his wheelchair every night. They enjoyed this! We worked together as a family to take care of him, the kids all doing whatever they could. After church, the whole family piled over to see him, often bringing extra friends along. Daddy always had ice cream to serve and it was a treat for him to experience love. I tell my children over and over what a support they were to me, making my load lighter. And, I taught my children more about honoring elderly parents than if we had taken a one year Bible study together on the subject. We learned a lot taking care of Daddy. We can learn a lot in the midst of any trial.
God cares about your homeschool. He cares about your family. He loves you! You are precious to Him. Rely on His grace to fly with a broken wing.
"Honey, I lost my job...."
"Your son has been in an accident..."
"I don't want to be married to you anymore..."
"We got a foreclosure notice in the mail...."
"I'm sorry, but the results came back as malignant...."
"Your father was rushed to the hospital..."
"I hate homeschooling. I wish I could go to public school...."
More than likely, you have to pull your kids out of bed and just hope that you can walk through the piles on their floors to find them.
Yes, we should work toward order, routine, and schedules that work. We should train ourselves to be godly so that we can train our children to be organized, hard working, and tidy people who accomplish great things.
Often, as soon as we are on track for change and growth, we are hit with a curve ball. Out of nowhere, there is an unexpected trial. Suddenly, it doesn't seem to matter any more whether or not our children make their beds and have their quiet times. We are just trying to survive without falling apart.
Oh, dear sisters in Christ, this life on earth is full of trials and difficulties. Some of them are so painful. I wish right now that I could wipe away every sorrow and trial from your life so that you could soar on wings as eagles, so that homeschooling could be the only challenge in your life.
Alas, our dear Heavenly Father has not given me that power. But He has given me the privilege of many challenges and trials in my own life and I have homeschooled right on through them. Sometimes, I have become discouraged. Many times, I have been weary and made mistakes, but I want to teach you to fly with a broken wing. I want you to homeschool with joy and success in the midst of trial.
Don't try to get through anything that is difficult without God's help. Pour your heart out to Him like Hannah did in First Samuel I. Don't hold anything back from the Lord. Let Him carry you in His arms of grace and love. Be bold in your prayers.
Long for Heaven
Realize that you were created to live in a perfect world, but, because of sin, you live in a fallen world. This will create a tension in you that feels like discontent, but is really a longing for Heaven (the perfect world). Put these feelings of frustration with difficulties to good use by longing for Heaven. Daydream about it so that it is your hope. This will give you an eternal perspective. I often ask myself, "Will this matter in 3 billion years?"
Accept Reality
Evaluate
Look at the crisis or trial that you are facing. Is it short-term or long-term? How will it influence you and your family financially, emotionally, and physically? What things do you need to do so that your family can live through this challenge. Remember, if God lets it happen, He has a plan to get you through it!
I see myself as a turtle. I just plod along doing what I'm called by Jesus to do no matter what happens. God has called me to homeschool, mentor women, and lead worship. This callings all involve weekly tasks that must be done so that I can be faithful to my calling. I continue on in my routine as much as possible whenever I am faced with new challenges. I find that routine gives me a sense of stability and security in the midst of trials.
Adapt
When my mother died unexpectedly, I had to drive down to South Florida to take care of Daddy and clean out their home twice a month. I would take the little ones with me and their books. We would set up school at Daddy's dining room table and they would do their work while I sorted though papers and china in the next room. It was hard on us all, but we sang and prayed together on these longs trips and my children ministered to my Dad.
When Daddy moved into an assisted living facility five minutes away, we saw him once or twice a day. My children went over for visits and learned to plug in his wheelchair every night. They enjoyed this! We worked together as a family to take care of him, the kids all doing whatever they could. After church, the whole family piled over to see him, often bringing extra friends along. Daddy always had ice cream to serve and it was a treat for him to experience love. I tell my children over and over what a support they were to me, making my load lighter. And, I taught my children more about honoring elderly parents than if we had taken a one year Bible study together on the subject. We learned a lot taking care of Daddy. We can learn a lot in the midst of any trial.
God cares about your homeschool. He cares about your family. He loves you! You are precious to Him. Rely on His grace to fly with a broken wing.