I said we would squeeze the last drops of summer into a glass and sip on it as long as we could… and that’s what we’ve been doing. There is a strong affection in my heart for summertime, which makes it hard for me to acknowledge school work much before Labor Day. And even though most folks have been celebrating all of their back to school traditions, we have been making trips to the pool, staying up late and avoiding eye contact with our new curriculum as much as absolutely possible.
But alas…
The school year starts soon here in our household. I enjoy home schooling my children and I’m grateful that I get to do it. However, with my tiptoes at the threshold of beginning another year, #7 in fact, I’m sure of one thing. and one thing only.
Do you want to know the truth? (And I hear the words resonate in my ears from a familiar movie, “You can’t handle the truth!!!”) but seriously, do you?
Over the summer, as per my usual, I’ve been evaluating life. I’ve taken account of how things run around here; school, church, home, health, music lessons, grocery shopping, art classes, archery, you name it, I’ve put it on a list somewhere in an effort to consider all the different categories that make up “us.”
And this is what I’ve realized:
I don’t know if I’m doing any of it right. More than ever, I have more questions than answers. Is this the right curriculum for Isaac’s learning style? Should we be eating this food, or that? Am I terrible mom because not one of my kids eats enough fruits and veggies? What about this class for Emily? How can I be sure of proper development without this activity for Mackenzie? The questions pile up and the choices are overwhelming. I feel like throwing my hands up in the air and saying, “I don’t know! Somebody help me!”
I’m reminded in Scripture that, I don’t have to know it all. In fact, He didn’t intend for me to know it all for the very purpose that I would need to rely on Him. Because He does know all of the answers. all of them. The only thing that I do know for sure is this: everything done in my home, is best when I do it abiding in Him.
The beauty of being on the doorstep of year #7 is, I’m more prepared to admit my complete need of Him. With my start date on the calendar a little more than a week a way, I’m aware that I’m not capable on my own and it is a very freeing feeling indeed.
My heart’s desire is that here, in our homeschool, we become His disciples, growing in the knowledge of Him and His wisdom. I can’t help but apply these verses from John 15 to my heart and mind:
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw theminto the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Heavenly Father, It is my prayer that You will be glorified in our lives this year. Will you come and be with us each day? Will you help us to abide in You, so that all of the gaps are filled and everything that is inadequate is made complete? This is my heart’s desire for our school year. amen.
daily portion 
This is good for all of us and our efforts. Love, Mom