Dedicated Dads
Posted in Daily Focus on Saturday, December 14, 2013
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
If you're a homeschool mom, you've probably experienced the feeling of being unappreciated by the world, right? Imagine then, what your husband must feel like as he quietly contributes to your family's homeschooling day. Even though you get some credit for doing the majority of teaching, he usually receives no recognition at all. He remains unnoticed by both friends and family (sometimes his own). Perhaps it is time to consider some of the ways he faithfully supports your children's educational success, such as the following:
• Providing the working capital to keep your school from going in the red. Because of his hard-earned income, you are able to buy curriculum and go on field trips.
• Being the substitute teacher who gives you a breather. Without the extra support of reading stories, practicing spelling words, or teaching a particular subject area, you would certainly burn out as a 24/7 mom and teacher.
• Serving as principal of the school. Knowing that Dad is waiting to talk to them will provide that added discipline needed to curtail even the most disruptive or disrespectful child.
• Supplying an endless array of shop classes that will benefit your child later in life. Lessons in carpentry, mechanics, or plumbing will save your child the expense of having to pay for these services when he is an adult.
• Being the spiritual leader who guides your children into the most important truths they will ever learn — God loves them and sent His Son, Jesus, to be their Savior.
This Christmas, have your children show appreciation to their father. Why not give him the praise that's due and thank him for all his sacrificial acts of service and love with a thoughtful card or gift? Make this Scripture true in his life: "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them" (Psalm 127:4-5a).
Lord, forgive me for taking my husband for granted and not acknowledging his homeschooling efforts as I should. Thank You for the countless hours of love and support he provides every day. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments(14 comments)
STACY E 12/14/2010 07:17:15
We try really hard to make sure my husband is included and that he knows we appreciate all he does for our family. He is my number 1 supporter when it comes to homeschooling our children, and he's the first to sacrifice personal comforts if it means advancing their education. It seems only natural to thank him for helping things go so smoothly. Way to go Dads!
WEDNESDAY B 12/14/2010 11:47:24
Just yesterday my husband read history to the kids and supervised a writing asignment. This took off the stress of falling behind in school for that day since I was helping with cooking the ministry turkey dinner. It gave the kids daddy time that they don't always get when he's away at work in ministry with other kids. Later he said they sure knew their stuff and I know he is proud of them. Without the support of my husband I wouldn't be homeschooling. I am very thankful for him.
MICHELE M 12/14/2011 04:18:15
My husband is the main instructor for our 3 children. He is a pastor, and when we realized our household needed more income, rather than have him be bivocational and unavailable for the church, we decided that I would return to my job at the hospital, and he would instruct the kids. Many days, the girls do schoolwork at the church while my husband tends to little tasks, and weekends are his visiting/meeting times because I can be home with the kids. He is great! He takes them to homeschool co-op, piano lessons, everywhere...and I rarely have to fix dinner or do laundry or dishes! He is such a wonderful blessing, and a steady presence in our girls' lives. They think he's the best!...and I do too! :)
AUDRA K 12/14/2011 05:17:24
Dads are truly the behind the scenes Heros in most homeschool families. Thank you dads for all you do to help your wife teach and your children learn. Homeschool dads are the best!
Thank you for this devotional reminding me of all the things my husband does to help me homeschool. My husband is my number one supporter and helper with homeschool. He is such a blessing to me and the kids.
GWYNETH K 12/14/2011 05:36:01
Thank you so much for these daily devotionals... Aside from my bible study time in the morning, these devotions have been increasingly encouraging to me as a homeschool mom. Reading this devotional today is very timely as I have been noticing my husbands spiritual needs... He is a Christian, and he participates in our weekly worship at church, but has not learned how to be the spiritual leader in our home. The only time he prays in front of any of our family is when we eat together, and most nights he defers prayer to the children since they are eager to pray. God is working in my life and my kids, their hearts are open, but my husband still resists me and gets quiet when I ask him to pray with me alone. My heart breaks because I hoped he would step up and be the spirituals leader of our family, but I haven't asked him to do so, because I am afraid he will just say no. I am getting by, as I read the bible to the children every morning during our morning worship, but I just wish he would ask to lead or even just join in... Does anyone have any advise for me? I love my husband and all he does for our homeschool! Praise God!
DEBBIE Q 12/14/2011 07:48:30
@ Gwyneth: ASK and you shall receive! Lovingly and patiently INVITE your husband to join you during your worship / Bible time. (he can't read your mind to know that's what you have been hoping for). Do not be discouraged if at first he does not eagerly jump in. Give him time. All things happen in God's time. You plant the seed by inviting him :) and keep praying.
RUSS P 12/14/2011 08:04:41
Fathers are primary home-school teachers too! I relate very much to this devotional and love my son just too much to let someone else do all of the teaching. God put me in charge of my sons life! He is counting on me to guide my son to ever lasting life through Jesus Christ. Amen
STEVEN S 12/14/2011 09:09:45
I myself have custody of my daughters, and have taken on the responsibility of teaching them myself. I feel like God allowed me to have custody of them for a reason, and I will not waste the opportunity to spend the quality time with them teaching them what they need in life to succeed!
LETITIA H 12/14/2011 09:39:19
As I said at my other e-mail address, this is a devotional that is applicable to me even though I'm childless. But, after daily Bible reading & study, and prayer, I don't have time to read it.
GWYNETH K 12/14/2011 11:23:11
Thanks Debbie Q for the encouragement! You are absolutely right! It's all in God's hands and in his timing.
STACEY J 12/14/2011 12:27:30
I felt sad reading this since I do not get help from my husband with homeschooling. He does provide the capital for curriculum and field trips and for that I am thankful. But, there is a big deficit in the support and help area. I know am not the only one, si I should not complain
BRENNA H 12/14/2011 14:25:28
I just wanted to say that I was glad to read this devotional. I have a supportive husband who is so supportive. He helps when i ask and doesn't when I do not. It is very helpful when he reminds the girls to get their work finished. I have noticed that he has been better about helping with keeping them on track. I could not do this without his support of me and God's calling for our family.
Dear Stacey, May be he does not feel ready. He is supporting you financially and that is huge. Pray and ask God how to approach this situation. I brought home education up to my husband when I was first pregnant and he just was not ready. As it came closer to school time for both the girls, I knew this was God's calling for our family. God saw to it to tell my husband. It was not until three years into the process and the world really turned ugly that my husband came home and said, "we will never sent our children to school." I will pray for your family. God is in the miracle business. Peace and prayers, Brenna
RUSS P 12/14/2012 08:54:01
Just another reminder that in some families the main teacher is Dad! I am the proud father of Alex and started teaching him when he was three. I own a business that lets me stay at home most of the time. His Mother just completed her nursing degree. Yea! I can continue to teach my son! She has come a long way in supporting my dream of an exceptionally well educated and loving child. Dad's are an underutilized resource. Think about it.
Christie Cockrell 12/14/2013 16:15:38
Dear Qwyneth and Stacey,
I believe there are many families where home educating was the mother's idea . After struggling for over 18 years, I mostly highly recommend following the advice of 1Peter 3:1-7. My testimony is one of wanting to teach the children , yet my husband did not. I simply would not trust God and submit to my head , my husband . I believe very painful consequences occur when we refuse to submit to God, and in my life they have. We are homeschooling the last 6 of our 10 children, and one is in a private Christian school. Trusting God has seemed impossible , but I realize now that is why Peter says , " .. Who trusted in God.." And then," ...and are not afraid with any amazement ." I suppose we often do not realize , at least for me, that " good" and even " godly" ideals can become idols . We love or want them so much that we disobey our Creator and Lord. I too longed for my husband to lead us and desire to home educate . After 28 years of not truly submitting , I must warn of the painful consequences for the wife, the children, and the family. God is a God of mercy and redemption . He knows our hearts and He wants to give us the desires of our hearts , yet He does have clear commands throughout His Word. I will be praying for each of us and the many families who are seeking to raise a godly seed for the glory of God. I truly see the fulfillment of the Luke 1:17. Thank you for these very encouraging devotionals.