“I wish I could homeschool, but…” Over the last few months, I seem to have heard this phrase more and more often. Mothers, wishing to have the opportunity to teach their children themselves instead of handing a job, that God has placed on their hearts as their own, over to someone else. Fathers, wishing to be more involved in their children’s education and the opportunity to teach life skills and work ethic.
The thing that strikes me though, is that what follows the “but” is rarely related to finances, time, work schedules, etc. More often than not, it is followed by statements such as, “I just don’t have the patience for it, ” “I just couldn’t do it,” or “My kids would make me crazy.”
Let me tell you something: homeschooling parents all over the world, have those same thoughts. Often. I do not feel as if I have exceptional spiritual gifts that make me a good fit for homeschooling. Rather, homeschooling reminds me of my weaknesses by bringing them front and center, refines me, and points me to the Creator on a daily basis. I have learned the importance of not only asking my Heavenly Father for forgiveness, but also my children. I have learned, and am still learning, to grant them the same complete forgiveness and clean slate that He offers me. God did not grant me with an uncommon ability to be patient at birth. (However, He has used homeschooling to grow me in that area!) I have 4 kids, ages 5 years old and younger, and am expecting our 5th this Winter. I assure you, there are plenty of days my kids make me crazy, and there are plenty more days when I make them crazy. Daily, God uses our time together to teach us all about what it means to live in unity.
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! {Psalm 133:1}
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. {Ephesians 4:3}
I also am taught almost daily about turning to the Father for my strength. If I do not go to Him, homeschooling is too much for me. It is hard. There has been, and will be again, frustration, doubt, exhaustion, and tears.
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. {Psalm 55:22}
But when I hand it over to Him, I am reminded that this isn’t just a task I woke up one day deciding I wanted to try for the fun of it. God laid it on my heart several years ago to educate my children at home, and after the rain comes a rainbow. A reminder of his promise to see my family through the journey we have been called to. It is not unusual for me to struggle, have hard days, and be utterly exhausted emotionally, and then have a day of rest – a day when a concept finally clicks for one of my kids, a day when we enjoy each others’ company and spend time learning as we run errands or reading lots of stories, on the grass under a tree.
Now, I must say, I do not believe God calls every single parent in the world to homeschool. Some He does. Some He doesn’t. Some, He calls to homeschool only for a season. It breaks my heart though, to see families that have the desire and God’s blessing, but still allow their doubt of their own abilities, or their spouse’s abilities, (and in turn God’s abilities) to keep them from seeking out a way to educate their children at home.
If God has laid the task on your heart, be encouraged, He will also give you the strength and everything else you need to follow his directions.
If that is you, struggling with the calling, but lacking the confidence, or even desire, know that I am praying for you this morning. Praying that you would put your trust in Him, be encouraged, and that you would search out Godly advice and fellowship on this important decision.
