Summer is
almost over and homeschooling parents everywhere are gathering curriculum
for the coming year. Catalogs are filled with items that promise to
bring success to your homeschool, things you don't dare skip...but
don't let the advertisements fool you, here are the only things you
really DON'T want to do without...
1. A Heart of Prayer -
Not
just prayer, but a vibrant, consistent relationship with the Lord!
He promises to give us wisdom, supply all our needs, and teach us
His ways, but in order to do that, we have to follow the principles
set forth in His Word and abide in Him. "If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth
not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing
wavering." --James 1:5-6
2. A Heart of Obedience -
God wants
to establish His order in our homes --parents in obedience to Him,
and children in obedience to the parents and to God. Homeschooling
without divine order in the home can lead to chaos. Disobedient children,
disobedient parents --what a mess!
* Take time to train and teach your
children consistently to obey without whining and constant reminders.
*
Submit yourselves each day to God and determine to respond to situations
as HE would have you respond instead of yielding to the flesh.
* Be
that godly example for your children; sometimes the attitudes that
distress us so in our children are merely reflections of our own sins.
*
Allow God to search your hearts and His peace will reign in your home.
What a difference it will make --you'll ALL enjoy being together so
much more!
3. Commitment and Perseverance
Homeschoolers should
count the cost; homeschooling takes time and patience. Every single
day isn't going to produce those golden educational triumphs you read
about in homeschool articles. Steady progress in learning is encouraging
but there are ebbs and flows to academic development just like in
physical development. Children grow and learn at different paces --don't
be discouraged when some things take longer to grasp than you'd expected.
*
Maintain a balanced perspective by looking at what you're accomplishing
over the period of a week or month instead of each day.
* Pace yourself
so neither you nor your children burn out.
* Prayerfully determine
both long-term and short-term goals.
4. A Joyful Heart
To be joyful is a decision we must make
each day. Our joy can't be based merely upon our outward circumstances
but it should be based upon Whom we know: Jesus Christ --Who has all
our circumstances under control! Paul knew what it was like to be
joyful in the face of adversity. We can have joy at ALL times
simply because we know and trust Jesus.
Mothers especially have the
opportunity to set the tone and atmosphere for the home --wouldn't
you rather live in a joyful home than a discouraging, depressing home?
If we allow the enemy to rob us of our joy, we allow him to rob of
us our strength. We grow weary, depressed and the children suffer,
too. Teaching becomes a chore instead of a privilege and learning
becomes dull and dreary for all. If you fall into this snare, confess
your sin to the Lord, get into His Word, start praising Him and allow
Him to refresh you by His Holy Spirit!
5. A Heart of Faith
Oh how we
need faith! Faith in the LORD --that He will bless the homeschooling
and discipling of our children. He has plans for each one --He knows
their needs and future and promises to give us wisdom to equip them
if we will trust Him! Our own strength and wisdom will always fall
short but God's strength and
wisdom will never fail. Tap into His
promises today --ask Him and have faith that He will provide!
Someone
once described faith as simply believing God will do what He said
He would do in His Word.
No situation is too minor for Him to care
about --whether you need wisdom in selecting the proper curriculum
for your child or in creating a workable schedule for your day, or
even in learning how to teach your child a new concept. Look to God
to provide these answers and direct your steps. You'll be amazed at
how He answers once you begin expecting Him to actually respond to
your prayers!
None of these "essentials" for this school year
can be found apart from Jesus Christ. He has already purchased all
of this for you through His shed blood on the cross. If you have been
taking Him for granted or leaving Him out of your "back to school"
plans, won't you take time to seek His face today? He promises to
meet with you, if you will but seek Him with your whole heart. Take
time to discover His plans for your family and put them into practice
this year --the benefits reaped will be of eternal value!
