I assume plenty of you hear this phrase, as do I – “I could never homeschool.” Quite honestly, in my own abilities, I could never homeschool, either. Yet I’m in the midst of my fifth year, with two high school boys, no less. My response to those people is that it’s all God’s doing, because I couldn’t do this myself, either. But it saddens me when I hear this from other believers. Not because I think they should be homeschooling – that’s between them and the Lord – but because they’re essentially saying that the awesome and mighty power of God wouldn’t be adequate to equip them for such a task.
As ever, God began to speak to my heart about this issue. Yes, I homeschool through His power, but what other things do I say I could never do? The first one that comes to mind (perhaps because we just went onto Daylight Saving Time) is that I could never get up early in the morning. Why? Because I’ve never been a morning person. Being a late-night person goes all the way back to my childhood. So it’s a tight squeeze sometimes getting quiet time with the Lord before I start my day. Yet if I got up earlier, I would have plenty of time with Him and be better equipped for the day. (I’d also love to be up early enough to catch that golden hour for taking pictures.) But does having Night Owl-itis really mean I can’t adjust my sleep schedule to go to bed a little earlier and get up a little earlier? Is the resurrection power of God really not enough?
…as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3
There are plenty of other areas in my life in which I subconsciously say, “I could never …” But I think it’s time to pray over these things, surrender them to the Lord, and find out what He thinks about them. Find out which of those He might want to change. After all, what might I be missing out on with my self-restricted thinking?
What things in life do you think you could never do? Seek the Lord in those areas. Perhaps He has something different in mind.
Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18:14
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Beautiful! I’m standing up, giving you an ovation, right now!
2 Peter 1:3 is my recent “life verse.” (I don’t see how a life can have just one life verse. But it’s my current one for this season.)
He does empower us to do all he calls us to do. Period. That’s living in faith.
I do get that question, and you have given such a great response. Thanks.
Thank you Dianne, for this timely reminder. Lately I have felt OH, so very inadequate, and I needed this reminder today that by HIS Resurrection power, and Life, HIS STRENGTH, I can do even this- home educate my kids… and with His help and compensations for my total ineptness, even do a good job of it!
That is a very refreshing way to think about that phrase. An eye-opener. Thanks for the wake-up-call! (pun intended! LOL)
On my own, there are choices that would break me. However, when they are God-choices I can bend, like a tree in the storm but not break. Especially with new things we’ve never done before. Yet when God calls you to do something – it is amazing how it can be done. It’s all about Faith – and Faith is just one step at a time. If you’re thinking about the entire YEAR of homeschooling, you trying to leapfrog. Just think one step at a time: decision, curriculum choices, start date, day 1, week 1. I have always found that saying, “NEVER” is an invitation to “MUST”
Thank you, Thank you for this! I am moving to Washington DC this summer and our schooling options are so limited. I have joked that god has 1 year to change my heart on this whole homeschooling thing. Nice of ME to give GOD a time line, huh? This post really tugged at my heart…. I really want God to give me a passion about homeschooling, not just a “we have to do this” sort of thing.
Quite frankly, I’m glad that some of the “I could never” homeschoolers don’t homeschool. It is not for everyone. It is not something that can be done in one’s own strength for sure.
I’ve met a mom that told me that she’d rather work to support her shopping habits then living on a single income and homeschool. I’m not convinced that she should be homeschooling with that kind of attitude. But, the Lord knows whats best for her and her family.
oh wow. this totally spoke to me and was used by God to answer some things. i sit here praying and praying about whether to home school my two boys and this totally resonated with my heart. this minister’s wife and former school teacher has so much to learn!!!
wow I never thought of it this way. Because i have said all of these things… I can never homeschool, I can never wake up early and i can never have the patience for multiples, I cannever manage a child with a disability and although I still dont homeschool. I have and I can manage multiples I just had twin girls and of course I am up by 4-5 every morning mixing those bottles and I have a wonderful son with autism who is a delight when I am not stressing about him. God is great !
have a great weekend.
Thank you for sharing this and reminding us that we can do all things with God as our leader.
I too am standing up jumping up and down and cheering for you. I have thought this same thing so many times, and my husband and I have discussed this at length! But you put it into words so graciously and wonderfully! Thank you!
Maybe I’ll have cards printed with that verse and just hand them out to folks who ask that question!
Just this past week the small bakery we visited asked if we were sad our Spring Break was ending. At first I looked at them funny then it dawned on me Spring Break was in for the schools. “Oh!” I remember replying, ” they get off one week a month” with a big smile. Which it was their turn to look at me funny then dawning on them they said almost together, “YOU HOME SCHOOL!” Funny enough they asked how I did it in which my remark that I was unable to do it alone but the Father pointing with my finger skyward helps me every day. Then pointing to myself… “Me, oh no way…it is only through him.”
) They both smiled and seemed very pleased they were meeting not only another Christian but one that does her best each day to follow in footsteps laid down by our perfect savior. I fall short, but His grace and teachings guide me daily. Really enjoyed reading the article and really love how this author has penned her thoughts. Lovely!
…also meant to add The lord is pressing on my heart to contact someone I don’t even KNOW to start speaking with after reading her prideful comments…. after reading your article, He kindly reminded me this evening that I was thinking early today, I could never do that…. i am not ready!! Thank you, Dianna.
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