Summer's Nearly Over: Need Some Refreshing?

Phew…the summer went by fast didn’t it? I don’t know about you, but this summer was fraught with activity and busyness. My high schoolers took an elective class over the summer with a small group of friends and then they both had an online class as well. Between the two, I felt like I was encouraging and teaching all summer long. We won’t mention my elementary students, who kept me running with various “goings on.” Combine all of that with the rising prices and related stress of our times, well suffice to say, that this year I’m a bit worn and in need of some refreshing.

I'm thankful that I knew just where to turn for that refreshing!

A few years ago, a friend encouraged me to dedicate myself to seeking God in our homeschooling. Not just one time, but regularly. She walked me through a process that helped me rediscover and understand God’s will for our family. It has helped us renew our commitment to homeschooling and ultimately has given us much refreshment even during times of trial.So every year, usually during the winter break, I take my regular Bible study time and I dedicate it to the topic of my family. This year, I’ve decided to tackle this before our new school year begins.

First, I examine my priorities in the light of God’s Word. Does anything need to be reordered, replaced or removed? Am I spending quality time with Jesus? Am I spending time with my husband building our relationship, encouraging and helping him? Am I investing time in relationship with my children? Do I see their hearts or has my relationship with them become superficial? I don’t expect perfection, but what I’m looking for is a habitation. Am I living out my walk, following the Holy Spirit as He leads me?

This self examination can be affirming or it can be painful. I’ve experienced both. It’s important to remember, that it’s never too late to set good and right priorities. God is full of grace, and in fact, it is in our weaknesses, that His power is perfected. So, if I don’t know what God’s will is, I always know that I need to move toward Him!Everyone needs to be reminded, from time to time, what God’s will is for their lives.

In regards to homeschooling, I like to ponder the memorial stones that God has given me as I’ve trusted Him for our homeschooling. Just as God instructed Joshua to lay down memorial stones in remembrance of His goodness (see Joshua 4), we should revisit God’s leading over our lives, pondering the lessons He has taught us and the goodness He has shown us.So, I ask myself questions to remember God’s plan for my life.

Why did He call me to homeschool? I’m not patient, nor a natural teacher. I only passed Algebra I in high school by the skin of my teeth. Our finances aren’t great - we are lower income and barely make ends meet. These are only some of the reasons that I’ve often thought I should not homeschool.

So, why did He choose me to homeschool through high school?

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of
Christ may dwell in me.”~2 Corinthians 12:9

The Lord chose me because He wants the world to know His power. He makes me patient, He has taught me Algebra I (I’m now learning Algebra II with my oldest son), and He always makes the financial ends meet. (We are debt free, by His grace.)

How did God call me to homeschool? Writing this down has set me free from the demons of doubt and fear. After eleven years of homeschooling I was recently compelled to record all the Scriptures God has given me over the past years regarding our homeschooling and family life. In addition, I wrote down my personal thoughts in relation to each Scripture. Doing this has helped me see God’s will for my family on paper. It helps me to stay focused. I ended up publishing it on my blog as a declaration of sorts and after doing so, I was free, no longer enslaved to second guessing myself or becoming weary because of doubt.

Do I trust myself or am I following Jesus? It has always been good for me to remember that Jesus always knows where He is going. In John 16, Jesus begins to teach the disciples where He is going and what is going to happen. He did this because He wanted them to believe. He knew His Father’s plan and was committed to following it. He had every intention of doing and experiencing His Father’s will, despite the hardship and suffering. “…the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” ~John 18:11

This foundational truth helps me to stay the course. God never promised Jesus that what He had to do was easy. In fact, He knew it would be excruciating and did it anyway. If I know that God has put me on the path of homeschooling, I must trust Him and stay on it with perseverance despite great obstacles, whatever they are!

God knows our frames, we are but dust. (Psalm 103:14)

When things look difficult, we can choose to remember God and all of His goodness to us. We can rest knowing that we are in His hand and for everything He calls us to do, He will bring it to pass. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”~ Matthew 11:28-30

For more information on how to overcome burnout, please consider listening to Debbie Strayer's audio seminar called Overcoming Burnout and Walking in Your Calling to Homeschool.





©2008 Y.M.F.