Just pondering some thoughts...

As we close out one school year and prepare to open up a new one, how many of you look back at the past year and say how did we do it?  We lost so much school to this crisis or to that medical issue. Maybe you are military like us and your Service Member was being deployed, was on a deployment, was returning home from one or upon being home for a while you discovered they didn't completely return home "all the way?"  How many of you faced health issues be it with yourself, your kids, or extended family members and this swayed your schooling?  How many of you experienced the birth of a new child or worse yet, the loss of a family member?  All of these I mentioned have played into many of our school years. There was once a time that I was convinced we couldn't ever have a "normal" school year again.

With every year it seems that life some how gets in the way of the "every day" book work.  What, our kids can't learn if the text books aren't open.  I know some believe this is the case.  I have had people question me,  how much has my child really learned in a school year because of "x" crisis.  This is when I have to really watch myself because it is so easy to fall into the trap of, wait, oh my gosh, my child didn't learn anything, because if I compared her to the kids "in school" then wow, she didn't learn anything.  This is an evil lie the enemy tells us.  We have to remain strong in those delicate times and not believe the lies.

Profiting from Trials

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

                                                   James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

I will always believe as we continue down this homeschooling journey that as long as I walk in obedience to God's wishes, not the demands and expectations of society, that He will bless my child's education.  We have faced many school years now where I had to question if I was the "best" teacher for my child?  Was I doing more harm than good? Is she really learning from me or is there someone better qualified than myself to teach her?  All of these I hear other mom's question and the answer always remains the same. Yes, you are the "best" teacher. Your education level or in some cases lack of doesn't matter here.  If you are walking in God's grace, faithfulness and mercy, He will ALWAYS protect you.  Whether your protection will come in the form of a teachers knowledge, wisdom, guidance, discretion, grace and even mercy, it is up to God to decide what is ultimately right for us at that time.  Isn't it reassuring to know we have a God who knows our "every" need at just the "right" time?   

 

God will supply all my needs:

¹⁹ And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.                                 
                                               Philippians 4:19  (NKJV)

As we prepare to close out one year and begin the preparations for the next, take the time to pray and then reflect on what your children really learned this year. How many life skills did they pick up along the way?  Those life skills will supersede any book work you may feel they missed.  God will reward you with the ability to know where their weaknesses are and He will provide the time to tackle them. If he doesn't show you then do not fret over them. God has already picked up the pieces for you.

  Do not fret, it only causes harm...

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.  
Psalm 37:8  (NKJV)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

     Matthew 6:34 (NKJV) 

As mother's and teacher's we love our children with all that we have in us.  We take on the burdens of all that they are and all they will become.  Sometimes I think God wants us to just step back and get out of His way.  If He called you to homeschool then you need to remember that He will provide "all" the needs of your children. Yes, this even includes their education.  Remember one valuable lesson here, God works on His time and in His own way, not ours.  We often see the works of His labor, but often times we don't. The times we don't He is filling in the pieces that we missed while we were handling other issues He placed before us.  Remain faithful and obedient and God will take care of the rest.

Happy Homeschooling!!!