By Hand
Posted in Daily Focus on Saturday, March 15, 2014
"Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart" (Psalm 26:2).
When my four children reached long division in their math curriculum, several weeks of resistance and conflict resulted during our homeschooling days. The painstaking process seemed unending and laborious to my high-tech children. "Mom, why do we have to do this by hand?" they cried. "Why can't we just figure this out on the calculator?" Taking the time and effort to show their work on every quiz and test in division was even more agonizing. To them, the quick and easy method of using the calculator's brain instead of their own seemed the best answer to solving math computations.
Taking the easy way out is common for today's Christians. Most saved people consider the testing of their faith something to be avoided or eliminated. Instead of walking through life's trials with God, many bypass the challenge and supersede God's will with manmade answers. However, James 1:3-4 gives us God's perspective for trials: "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
Is homeschooling stretching you to the limits and trying your patience? God is working in your life and your children's lives. He knows how demanding each day can be and wants you to trust Him "by hand." Place your hand in His today. Waiting on God for answers is never easy, but the spiritual lesson of endurance is only learned by going through the process. Allow Him to teach you to "let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:4).
Lord, how quick I am to give up when homeschooling gets hard. Teach me endurance and patience as my children and I learn academic and spiritual lessons together. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments(11 comments)
RENEE T 03/15/2009 05:47:53
Thank you for your gift of inspiration today. This is so true. In our current state many of us DO take the easier, softer, way which does not allow for the building of a strong foundation to support our lives (spiritually, emotionally, physically, or mentally). The effort is takes to undo the "extra structure" that can be as a reuslt of skipping steps, I believe, is far greater than the original task. Taking the time to start your day with a moment of relection on a message such as this is a good way ofbuilding your daily foundation. Thank you again for this message. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen. Renee
LISA G 03/15/2009 06:10:20
Thank you so much--it seems that God knows exactly what I need and what I'm going through as He speaks through you to me each day. There are days that I would probably give up if not for the wisdom and Godly insight you share each day. Thank you for the wonderful encouragement that you give. May God richly bless you and your family.
Lisa G
JESSICA W 03/15/2009 13:02:39
This is exactly what I need as I'm struggling to decide if I'm cut out for this homeschooling stuff. Part of me love's it so much but it's obviously easier to just stick them in p.s. Looking to God for guidence the past few weeks is helping me in so many ways. I just signed up for these daily devotionals and I'm so glad I did. Thanks so much. Jessica W.
TAMMY S 03/15/2011 07:50:01
Today my 3rd grade son started division, we already have had tears (his not mine). I needed to hear this today as my patience has already grown weary. Thank you! Tammy S
JEANETTE A 03/15/2011 13:04:41
Ok, God has a sense of humor, lol,, I am sooo in awe of him,, This is the 5th time in the last week I heard the verse and sermon preached on James 1:2-4.. I am like ok God I get it,, I get it.. :) I just love those moments when you know God is speaking to you and last week when I was going thru my moment I clung to these verse, I am so grateful for him teaching me.. :) Thank you for the encouragement..
CHERI H 03/15/2012 06:01:16
My husband and I have home schooled all of our nine children. We began with little money, and a lot of imagination. I often felt like Jessica. Putting the school in God's hands really surprised me. He has always guided my husband to continue our home school! I have kind, moral, sociable children. Thank you, Lord.
MIA M 03/15/2012 06:21:23
Thank you God,I hear you and I'll obey you.
CARRIE K 03/15/2012 08:54:19
I have needed a break from schooling, so I was looking forward to \"Spring Break\" this week. My plan was to just let my two young daughters play, run free, and enjoy the spring weather. They have certainly enjoyed themselves: I have since had part of a fledgling rose bush chopped down, half a dozen eggs broken in my garage, an entire bottle of dish soap pored out in our back yard, an adult neighbor invited to our house at 7pm without my knowledge, a box of stock cake mix gone missing, and there is no telling what else I don\'t know! A break? Ha! I should have planned thoroughly, I know now. I think I am learning endurance, but there are days when I would really appreciate a \"calculator\".
TERESA S 03/15/2012 16:18:51
I needed this. Teaching fractions with my 4th grader, and getting my 6th grader up to speed with her math is certainly trying my soul. I needed to hear it Takes Time, so I can relax. Every day more progress is made in the fraction arena. Not profound progress, but progress nonetheless. The 6th grader is paying more attention to detai, and so this is progress. Rome wasn\'t built in a day. Neither is a child\'s education, both school and spiritual wise.
shelly mccreary 03/15/2013 15:41:04
Thank you so much for the devotion. I have been struggling a lot in this area. As a first time Home school mom of 3 I feel the struggle with my children not wanting to do what needs to be done or questioning me about it.
Danielle Kirk 03/15/2013 16:05:37
So thankful for this encouraging blog!!! Of all of the daily inspirational sites, this one meets my needs, reminds me of God's word and gives me encouragement that the things I experience as a HS mom are NORMAL!!!