Monday, March 8, 2010

Totally Discouraged~ Daily Focus







"And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed"


(Deuteronomy 31:8).






Homeschooling can bring out the worst and best in you. As I sat on the kitchen floor crying, I knew that today was one of the worst. I had put the children to bed early and my husband was working late. I was hoping a good cry would relieve my stress from the week of teaching, responsibilities, and housework. My inabilities to be supermom seemed immensely larger than the homeschooling blessings, and I felt like I was constantly disappointing someone — my husband, my children, my extended family, or myself.


Failure waved its ugly banner over me, and I was tempted to cut my losses and give up entirely. God seemed far away, and I felt alone.




Just when my pity party peaked, I felt a pair of little hands touching my face. Looking up, I saw my youngest daughter looking at me with deep blue eyes and concern on her face. "Mommy," she said. "Don't cry. I love you." In that moment, I sensed the Lord encouraging me through my little daughter's love. Homeschooling was for her and my other children. God would strengthen me to teach them.




Is today one of your bad homeschooling days? Have the failures seemed greater than the successes? Don't lose sight of the reason for homeschooling. God has called you to teach your children, and He has promised, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5b).




Lord, help me to remember You are everything I need. Show me again how to claim Your strength to homeschool and sense Your encouragement every day. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
~ AOP
Wow! I needed this today, I am so ready for summer, burned out, tired, and weary! Thank you Lord for there is always Hope and Strength in YOU!

2 comments:

Mindy said...

Thank you for your honesty in how your day really went. I have had many similar days in my 16 years of homeschooling, and many of the same encouraging hugs and kisses. It is the hardest job in the world, I am convinced, but has the greatest benefits. Hang in there! I somehow think you are doing a MUCH better job than the enemy wants to think you are doing! Thank you for bringing us to the Lord, He is the answer in all these things.

The Loveless Family said...

"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:13,14

These are two of my favourite verses in the Bible! I have yet to be a frustrated homeschooling Mom, my eldest just turned five. It'll be my turn next year.

From someone who had the blessing of home school and church academy, you are doing the right thing! Even church schools can place your children under influences that you wouldn't want them to face. Your kids will thank you... one day.

Although I haven't faced home school yet, I have experienced one of those hugs. Kids truly are a blessing from the Lord... at least that's what I keep telling myself Bo)