"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." -Psalm 118:1
Standing in the basement doing laundry, I wondered, "How much of your life do you sacrifice before there's nothing more to give?" I was missing a beautiful summer day outside and feeling frustrated that there was so little time for the things I enjoyed. I dreamed of relaxing in the sun with an ice-cold glass of lemonade and a good book or riding my horse into the open pastures near our ranch. Homeschooling seemed to be consuming my entire life, and each day I felt a little more drained. If I wasn't teaching my children, I was cleaning their messes. Would there ever be time again for me?
Self-pity is a destructive force in a person's life because it fails to acknowledge God's goodness with a grateful heart. The Hebrew nation's constant grumbling is a prime example (see Psalm 106:25). For over 470 years, they cried out to God for a deliverer to rescue them from bondage in Egypt. Although God had proven Himself mighty with miracles and provisions, they failed to be thankful for His loving hand of protection.
If the demands of homeschooling have got you down, stop your personal pity party and think again about what the Lord has done. Yes, your days might be busy, but God has blessed you with incredible opportunities to change the world through your children's lives. Let praise and thankfulness replace your "poor me's," and watch as God blesses your faithfulness in serving Him as a homeschooling parent. "I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips" (Psalm 34:1). |
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Homeschooling is for a season. For that season, we are making the choice to set aside our own desires in order to meet the needs of our children. Discipling and educating them is a great responsibility and deserves our greatest commitment and diligence. It isn't easy. It is work. It is sacrifice. But. it. is. worth. it!
As with all things that are challenging, we must take "every thought captive" (2 Corinthians 10:5) and choose to replace grumbling with gratitude. The final blessings will be rewarding for us personally and will please the Lord.
Keep calm, homeschooling mom, and keep on!
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