Focused Homeschooling

"Pray continually." -1 Thessalonians 5:17

Distractions. Every day you face them as a homeschooling parent. Although some may seem good in themselves, they can steal time from your family and destroy your homeschooling schedule. Learning to recognize each interruption as either a divine rescheduling or an evil diversion takes discernment that only comes from the Holy Spirit. Whether it's a long phone call from your mother or sister, or an invitation to enjoy an impromptu outing with another homeschooling family, you must prayerfully consider what daily activities are God's best for your family.

Failing to pray for guidance caused many problems for people in the Bible too. Even Solomon, God's chosen leader after King David, was distracted and made the mistake of being led away from God by marrying many foreign wives who worshiped other gods. After reading of the great wisdom of Solomon and God's guidance in leading him to build a great and beautiful temple, 1 Kings 11:4 says this: "As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been." What a tragic ending for Solomon! He could have finished well, but instead he let himself be distracted from following God. He let others lead him away from God's best for him.

Have you learned how to discern God's will for your homeschooling day? Only as you walk in the power of the Holy Spirit will you be able to know the difference between a dangerous detour and God's window of opportunity. Taking the time to pray for wisdom each morning and throughout the day will save your homeschoolng from disaster. "Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:3-5).

*Father, only you know what's best for our homeschooling today. As we face distractions, please help me to discern what is your perfect will for us and to adjust our homeschooling schedule accordingly. In Jesus' name, amen.

-From the Homeschool Mom's Bible; devotions by Janet Tatman; p. 503