Pursuing and Producing Patience

Sometimes the Lord allows us to experience a "refresher course" in an area we thought we'd already conquered. In my case, it was a lesson in patience --and a chance to identify with new homeschooling parents who struggle to learn patience in teaching their children at home. Especially when nothing seems to be going right --at least not like the examples given in homeschooling articles and books! If all homeschool days were like the first two days of our new school year, I would have been tempted to give up long ago. I was all geared up and ready to hit the books,

but my younger two were still in the laid-back summer relaxed mode and couldn't seem to get into the swing of things. Everything was an effort.
I found myself teaching English to a couple of frustrated perfectionists and when my youngest daughter's eyes filled with tears, I knew something had to change fast to get us back on track. I felt impatient, wanting to spur them on so we could get everything accomplished, but I realized there was something far more important than sticking to my schedule --guarding the atmosphere of our homeschool. I needed to use wisdom, tenderness and patience to gently guide them in the way that they should go. One important quality of a good teacher is the ability to pace studies to meet the individual
student's needs. What difference does it make in the long run if some lessons take two days
instead of one, or a month instead of a week? Establishing a good foundation is essential and one of the benefits of homeschooling is being able to take the necessary time to cover things well and not move on until the lesson is understood. This requires patience for both parent and child! Yet patience seems sadly lacking in our fast-paced society.

How many times have you heard people use the excuse of a lack of patience as their reason to avoid homeschooling? Yet would you believe me when I tell you that everyone has enough patience already to do what God has called them to do --they just need to
exercise it? It's true! God has promised all throughout His Word to help us perform what He has called us to do. He tells us He won't allow more than we can handle. We just need to be reminded of this when circumstances require patience.

Here's how we can practice patience in every situation:

1. Stop! Recognize your need for patience!

2. Yield! Consciously yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to minister to you so the fruit of
patience can flow through you. Pray, "Father, I give this area to you --thank you for helping
me exercise patience and wisdom!"

3. Act! Determine to act upon what you know is right, instead of reacting to the circumstances. He won't force you to do what is right --you make that choice yourself, but He will give you the all the strength and wisdom you need to be patient if you look to Him. Often we make it harder on ourselves by neglecting crucial areas that are within our control.

The following things contribute to impatience if we don't watch out:

* Lack of sleep

* Trying to do too much

* On the go all the time -- not slowing down enough to smell the roses

* Focussing on the negative --not looking for the positive

* Comparing yourself or your children to others

* Expecting too much of your child academically

* Demanding perfection without giving room to grow and mature

* Lack of consistency in training and disciplining your child

* Neglecting your own spiritual needs --lack of prayer and time in God's Word

Thankfully, the Lord got my attention and I was able to adjust both my expectations and our schedule to allow us to go at a slower pace to get adjusted for the new year. Now, two months later, we are once again settled into a good routine and enjoying our homeschooling days. Oh, we still have need of patience! We get plenty of practice in that area as parents,
but we have a Source that never wanes even when we are tempted to grow weary.

Failure is almost certain when we try to do everything in our own strength, it's only as we learn to abide in Jesus and yield to the Holy Spirit that we will ever be sure of succeeding in following His Will for our lives. Without His help, who among us could
stand, but with His help --how can we fail? Let's all continue to focus on Him and put His Word into practice in our lives!