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 "Pray without ceasing." --1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Be careful for
nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus." --Philippians 4:6-7
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.
"And let us not be weary in well
doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." --Galatians
6:9
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. [See "None of These Things Move Me"] 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!
"The joy of the LORD is your
strength." --Nehemiah 8:10
"But let all those that put their trust
in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest
them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee." --Psalm
5:11
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!
"Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name:
ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." --John 16:24
"But
without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to
God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him." --Hebrews 11:6
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!
