June 22, 2009
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A Letter to Weary Homeschool Mothers
(This letter was placed on the opening page of our used homeschool book catalog years ago.)
Dear Mothers,
Are you weary, precious Mother ? Has the desire to train and educate
your children become another ” have to ” added to the already long list
of other duties that fill your day ?I’ve struggled the past four years under ” my list ” also. My list
consisted of all the ” things” I felt I was to accomplish to bring
glory to God. You see this list in so many of the homeschool magazines and homeschool conventions. I was to have a spotless home, homeschool my children using the most popular methods, and run a
home business that was completely orderly and organized. Plus all the
other ” things ” that would make for a good home like baking my own
bread, growing a vegetable garden, etc. I’ll confess to you dear
friend, that I have never felt that I have lived up to any of those
expectations. In the midst of it all, I’ve complained and grumbled,
been stressed and often unpleasant to live with. Does this sound
familiar to any of you ?I have for years been crying out to my Savior to show me how to ”
do it all” for His glory. What He is showing me is that I have started
where I should have ended. My relationship with Him is where I must
begin and stay. Not just during our devotional time but all day, moment
by moment depending on Him to give me what my family needs me to be,
instead of focusing on reaching a standard of “lifestyle” that I
thought showed holiness. Out of that relationship will flow His
character, which only He can give me ! As I know Him more intimately,
and the power of His resurrection in me, I will then reflect the kind
of love that brings glory to Him. How will my ” lifestyle ” glorify God
if I’m not fulfilling it with a gentle and peaceful spirit? My peace
will be tied to my accomplishments, not to my relationship to Him.
If I live my day in my own strength , I will become a ” sounding
brass ” displaying no love, only concerned with my list of ” things ”
to accomplish. Sooner or later I will suffocate under the load and then
I will either change the ” lifestyle ” or by God’s grace turn to him
for help.So, how does this relate to our everyday lives ? Well, Sisters,
have you been homeschooling in your own strength , or have you been
daily, sometimes moment by moment, going to the source of your
strength, Jesus ? Is the list that you have assigned yourself one that
will bring glory to you or to Him ? If you are burdened, weary or
frustrated it may be because you have been carrying your own load. My
prayer is that we, as Mothers, become more aware of our inability, and
depend more on His sufficiency.Oh, that our homes may be built firm upon Christ our Savior and not
just on the efforts of our flesh. May we depend on His strength to be
the keepers of our home that He has called us to be. He is faithful who began the work in us…He will complete it.May this be our prayer !!!
Copyrighted 1998 by Georgene Girouard. You may reproduce this article in it’s entirety.
Comments (3)
So true. Last week it came to my attention that I was having a hard time being really negative. I would give myself a pep-talk every morning and promise myself to do better, but that didn’t even last through the morning. Finally I prayed for the Lord to give me strength, and it made all the difference.
Speaking of praying… praying that the interview went well. You’ll let us know won’t you?
So true, so true. Why is it I am finally realizing and learning more of that truth after I have gone through 14 yrs. of “schooling” and on top of that more years of life’s school? It takes a conscious effort to stay in tune with Christ throughout the day. It doesn’t come on its own. I need to be open and willing to be used of God in my family and life.
That was excellent! It is so true! Sometimes I find myself doing things because I “have” to do them instead of spending time with the Lord and letting Him do it through me! Other times I find the Lord is giving me strength and I am doing things because of Him and despite myself! It is especially essential, at this point, having our two little toddlers to keep ourselves dependent on the Lord in each situation! Thanks for posting that!