It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.Lamentations 3:22-24

Faithfulness. That’s what comes to mind as we end another school year. Though relief and a sense of accomplishment set in, gratitude for God’s faithfulness overwhelms me. We made it through our first year of middle school!

In the Old Testament, the Israelites set up memorials as reminders of God’s faithfulness. When God gave them victory over the Philistines, “Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Hitherto hath the LORD helped us’” (1 Samuel 7: 12).

So I asked my daughter to write down ways in which God had been faithful through this academic year.

Why is it important to remember His faithfulness?

It encourages us. S...

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Are you battling the homeschool “slump”? Are you wondering about what to do in the upcoming school year?

Proverbs 3:5-7 offers deep truths for our continued homeschool journey.
1. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not on thine own understanding. God has called us to homeschool. Though the journey has many blessings, it also has tough moments and days.
This year we began our seventh year of homeschooling, and I realize more than ever that the secret to homeschooling lies in trusting the Lord. I am inadequate, in my own strength and wisdom, to successfully homeschool my children. Whenever I think I know it or I can do it on my own, I fail miserably. It is only His power and wisdom that enables me to teach my kids what they need to know—academically, spiritually, emotionally. It is only His strength that helps me stay this path. As I depend on Him with every fiber of my being, He will empower me to be the channel of wisdom, truth and love to my...

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"…So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." 2 Corinthians 4:18; The New Living Translation

Are you having trouble keeping up with all that you’re supposed to do? As homeschoolers we deal with co-ops, enrichment days, and a seemingly endless list of various activities, in addition to the regular tasks of daily living. A Barna study showed that homeschool parents were more likely to say they were “stressed out,” [and] “too busy.”

Would I make any changes to my schedules, homeschooling and life if I were to consider them the point of view of eternity? It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while as my family has weathered some difficult times, as we cope with a turbulent economy, and as some families I know face tragic circumstances.

When I need guidance, I usually go to the Rock, and in Jesu...

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How was your 2009 school year? If yours was like mine, there were ups and downs, challenges, triumphs and frustrations.

So, is there anything you’d like to change as you go back to school in 2010?

As I begin a new semester, I’m glad that the mistakes and frustrations of 2009 are past:

“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? (Isaiah 43: 18, 19; The Message).

God’s blessed me with a new year--a fresh start at school. He’s wiped the slate clean of my mistakes, and by His grace, I can look forward to a new year, living in His power and strength.

Yes, there will be ups and down this school year, but I know He will be with me. I’m grabbing onto hope and looking forward to His grace being sufficient for my homeschooling.

What about you?

“Come on people, get with it!” my friend grumbled. “Take down your Christmas decorations! It’s been a month anyway,” she exclaimed, exasperated, as we passed a few neighborhoods still adorned with wreaths and lights.

I peered at her out of the corner of my eye to see if she was joking. She was serious.

Christmas is a special time of year. A time to celebrate God Incarnate: the One who came to free us from sin. Family times, once-in-a-year culinary delights, carols, gifts, decorations—all come out in celebrati“on of the greatest Gift of all.

But should our celebration of Christ be relegated to only once a year? How would my life and those of my children change if we lived in constant celebration of the Messiah? Here are some observations I have gleaned from the Christmas story that can impact the way we live throughout the year:

• Christ is Emmanuel, God with us, not for a season or a special time of year, but always! How can we not revel in this hope and cel...

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I sank into bed, every muscle aching.

It had been one of those days. A school day no one wishes would ever happen, but one that’s sometimes a reality with homeschooling…

“I don’t get it.” My eldest drummed her feet on the floor and buried her head in her hands.

“What don’t you get?”

“This.” And she jabbed the book so hard, it fell off the table. I picked up the Math text book.

“But what don’t you get? It’s not like decimals are a new concept.”

“It’s, it’s just so hard. It doesn’t make sense.” And she burst into tears.

Oh, Lord, help us, please.

My day went down-hill after that. My toddler fussed her way through the day. Nothing I did seemed to ease her irritability. My aging mother seemed more needy that day. By the time my husband walked in the door, I was frazzled, and longed for some quiet.

As I fell into bed, I prayed, “Lord, please let tomorrow be a better day.”

The next morning I awoke to my toddler’s cr...

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Other than taking time for the Lord on a daily basis and learning to abide in Him, what else is important?

As promised, here’s my list:

1. Time for my family: Yes, I homeschool, and yes, my kids are with me 24/7. So how much more time do I want with them? Well, I want to relate to them outside of school—to have fun times with them, to make memories, to enjoy them way from the stresses that come with homeschooling. So we go on dates, have a movie afternoon, include some fun in our school day and week on a regular basis.

It’s important that my husband and I schedule regular time for each other—to chat, to hang out, with and without the kids. We’re not talking about expensive dates, but a few minutes a day to talk and to pray, so we can feel like we’re a part of each others’ lives.

2. Time for others: Taking time to spend with others—not just social time, but time to reach out. To help someone in need—that phone call, writing a note or sendin...

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How were your first few weeks of school? Did everything go as planned? Did you have to tweak your schedule? Are you in a routine now?

Our first couple of weeks were rather unusual. You see, it was the first time we were schooling with a young toddler and dealing with middle school. And somehow, all my plans that looked so good on paper didn’t quite make it when they were translated to real life. My toddler wanted to join us at the “big” table. But her idea of school was pulling the books off the table as quickly as the others could pick them up and put them back. While I tried to teach my older one, my toddler excelled in exploring things and places she shouldn’t--so quite a bit of my time was spent containing my toddler or trying to.

With the more intense pace of middle school, our school days grew longer. Then as our various activities began, I felt I was on a merry-go-round, rushing, everyone wanting a piece of me, living in the urgent. I could barely keep up with l...

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What did I get myself into?
Will my kids ever get it?
Is this the right curriculum?
I can’t do this!
Should I really be homeschooling?
Are we going to make it through today, let alone a school year?

Whether you’re a new homeschool parent or a veteran one, doubts and anxieties lurk along the homeschool path. Sometimes they raise their ugly heads at the beginning of the year, sometimes during the year. Nervousness and anxiety are no strangers to me, even though I’m into my seventh year of homeschooling.

Some of us may have already begun our school year, others may just be starting. Wherever you are in your homeschool year, God’s Word offers eternal promises to strengthen us on this journey.

God is faithful. I homeschool out of obedience to what my husband and I believe God has called us to do. As I obey God’s calling, He will be faithful to empower me to complete this task. He will daily give me what I need. When the going ...

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