I originally wrote this article in 2011. I’m so grateful the Lord has answered my fervent prayers for my own growth!
It’s a question I approach with extreme caution: “Where do your kids go to school?”
Apparently, it is impossible to homeschool without thinking everyone else in the world should also. At least, that must be the perception.
My answer that I homeschool is often met with a blank stare. Following the stare, I commonly hear a list of all the reasons my partner in conversation can not possibly ever (Never, ever!) homeschool. Inevitably I hear, “I just don’t have the patience for that.”
[clickToTweet tweet=”I commonly hear a list of all the reasons my partner in conversation can not possibly ever (Never, ever!) #homeschool. Inevitably I hear, ‘I just don’t have the patience for that.’ ” quote=”I commonly hear a list of all the reasons my partner in conversation can not possibly ever (Never, ever!) homeschool. Inevitably I hear, ‘I just don’t have the patience for that.'” theme=”style2″]
Oh, friend, if only you could see my heart!
Homeschool Problems (Hint: It’s All ME!)
I love books. I love learning. I love teaching. I love my kids. I have felt called to homeschool for years (Years!), and yet, I don’t have the patience for it. I’m not loving enough, I’m not kind enough, I’m just not enough. Period. As with anything else the Lord has called me to, I avoided all mention and discussion of homeschooling–until He hit me with a proverbial 2 x 4.
So now I’m a homeschooler.
I’m still not patient enough, not kind enough, not loving enough. But I am on my knees. I am on my face. I am praying with my husband. My small group prays for me, and I have friends who pray for me. Some days, I lock myself in the bathroom and pray for myself–again.
What do I pray for? I pray for love, patience, and kindness… just enough for the day. I ask the Holy Spirit to direct my path.
I also ask my family for forgiveness often. So often, I’m embarrassed. My children are very gracious and, by all appearances, they still love me.
We have had some excellent homeschooling moments. Days, even weeks, have passed in which everything has gone smoothly; everyone has learned and we’ve all bonded together. It’s in these moments that the temptation arises to feel I am a stellar teacher, and a stellar mom. That’s when our golden moments disappear like a cloud of smoke and I’m left with the realization that I am merely a sinner, with a broken heart and a need for my Savior.
Those are the moments that, again, drive me to my knees in humility and desperation.
I love homeschooling. I love my children, and I love the opportunity to invest some of the gifts the Lord has so freely given me. Never do I forget the reason I shouldn’t homeschool: my own character. Thankfully, in God’s economy, shouldn’t is always can–as long as we walk in His will.
God’s Answer to My Homeschool Problems
Six years later, I can tell you with a good deal of relief, that God absolutely answered my prayers for my own sanctification! I’m calmer, more patient, and more loving. My boys and I have a solid, deep relationship. I am SO glad that we homeschool and that I didn’t let my own sin and shortcomings sidetrack our time together.
I’ve learned that the Lord answers prayer, and that it’s vital to the Christian walk. I’m still praying for my own character and sanctification–but I have a different focus than I did near the beginning of our homeschool career!
Grab the Spiritual Disciplines Calendar to go with your Daily Devotions for Kids Calendar!
Your kids will develop a habit of daily Bible reading, Scripture memorization, and prayer in a fun, hands–on way!
Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible
You want your kids to learn and love the Bible.
You want to teach the Bible…
As parents, we deeply desire the best for our kids. We look for the right schools, we make them eat right and exercise, and we get them involved in extracurricular activities. We take our job as parents seriously.
But are we also putting our time and energy into
teaching them the Bible? Giving them the life-changing, soul-nourishing words of Scripture is not only doable, it’s an essential part of parenting kids for Jesus. And the good news is, studying God’s Word as a family doesn’t have to be difficult!
2 Timothy 2:15, ESV, says:
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,
a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Our job, as parents who love Jesus, is to help our kids become approved workers, unashamed and rightly handling the word of truth.
The good news? Teaching the Bible isn’t hard. Your family can learn the Bible together.
…and you can!
A Crash Course in Teaching the Bible to Your Kids
Danika Cooley’s book, Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible, will give you the tools and confidence to study the Bible as a family. It will help you identify and overcome your objections and fears, give you a crash course in what the Bible is all about and how to teach it, and provide the guidance you need to set up a family Bible study habit.
You will finish this book feeling encouraged and empowered to initiate and strengthen your child’s relationship with the Lord through His Word.
Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible will equip you with everything you need to know to teach the Bible to your kids!
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Thank you very much for this article! The Holy Spirit was in every word and I needed to read this today it spoke directly to my heart. Thank you for the encouragement, thank you for the realness, thank you for the inspiration!