From the Beginning

Every mother is a teacher. I was no exception. God used me to teach our baby how to eat with a spoon, say words, play catch, and dress himself. Daily, I taught our little one everything he needed to know to succeed at home. Then, the school years arrived, and I doubted if I would be able to teach him everything he needed to know to succeed in school. I wanted to homeschool, but people intimidated me about obeying God's call to homeschool. When they said, "You're not smart enough to teach your child," I was tempted to believe them. After all, I didn't have a four-year college degree. Disregarding their comments, however, I decided to relinquish my fears and trust Christ for the wisdom and knowledge necessary to continue teaching my child from home.

Fear is a successful tactic Satan uses to make Christians disregard God's call for their lives. It causes them to doubt God's love and provision, even though they started out strong in their faith. The inspiration given by Jesus to walk on the water is lost, and like Peter, believers find themselves sinking under the waves.

What about you? Are the waves of opposition getting high and beating fear into your decision to homeschool? If you've been walking on water and experiencing God's blessings in teaching your child at home, don't look down now. Keep your eyes on Jesus and cry out like Peter, "Lord, save me!" Jesus knows what you need, and you can trust Him to offer His loving hand to lift you to safety. After all, hasn't He been right there with you as you've taught your child from the very beginning? "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).

Lord, forgive me for doubting You and listening to the lies of the evil one. Give me Your hand of strength and lift me above these fears as You calm my heart to faithfully homeschool. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Comments(13 comments)

CHARLES J. T 02/27/2010 06:25:31

From the beginning I have taught all of our children that all of us are called to be teachers in that Jesus told all of us to "Go ye into the world and teach the gospel". I tell then how thankful I am to have them at home with me and how I love them so. But how often do I forget those truths myself? I fear anyone who might take my children from my home ,including the ones the Lord hasn't given us yet. God doesn't give us more then we can handle. Since He has called all of us to teach our children...when we rise, when we lie down and in the way then we also know that if He chooses to bless us with more children, we will be able to teach them just as He taught us to Love the first. When I get bogged down with all the work the Lord reminds me of wise Solomon. He said there is no end to the making of books but the end there of was to know the Lord,love the Lord and to serve him all the days of our lives. That is my goal for our 5 and soon 6 children, teach them to know,love and serve the Lord. Anything else that they"need" to know they will learn in His timing. So on our worst days if we do nothing else schooling wise that day, the word of God is shared with them at least 2-3x a day rather though oral teaching or through the opened word of God. It's all in the great Teacher's hands! All five love the Lord. When it seems they will sit/work for nothing else that day when ever mom opens her Bible again, they gather how be it some times very squirmy. They love to hear "the old old stories of Jesus and His love."

SHARON F 02/28/2011 07:15:16

Thank you for this. I\'ve be agonizing over whether or not I\'m to homeschool my boys (5 & 7). I\'ve used every excuse in the book from my 9 mth old to my need for \"me\" time to how I couldn\'t possibly manage teaching 2 different grades. I\'ve let my fears control me for far too long. I\'ve dismissed the aching in my heart that I know the Lord put there. This Sunday\'s sermon our Pastor spoke on how God will expect you to obey Him NOW, just like he did of Abraham. And Abraham \"obeyed when he was called\". I\'m excited to see what the Lord has in store for our family & we begin this incredible journey! Thank you again!

KELLY J 02/28/2011 09:03:49

It\'s funny how strangers, family members and friends can have such an impact on a decision that you and your spouse have made about your children. I have resorted to politely express my gratitude to those with a negative opinion about their advice AND have expressed that I would appreciate if they could encourage me with this decision since homeschooling can be tough some days. Everyone needs an angel on their shoulder whispering encouragement not a devil whispering discouragement. We continue to plug through our days knowing that with every doubt there is 10x more encouragement from God.

DONNA A 03/04/2011 08:13:20

I was so blessed this morning reading this article because this is what I was going through. God always has a way of filling you up with his presence when the truth is present. God bless you for sharing your testimony because it truly helped me to see the truth. Donna A.

EUGINA W 02/27/2012 05:41:37

Thank you I needed this. I have been homeschool for 5 years now.My daughter will be going to the 9th grade in the fall and I was having doubts about homeschool her because she will be in high school.

But, God is faithful, he did not bring me this far to leave me. Eugina W.

MIA M 02/27/2012 06:11:07

These Daily readings are always right time.

VANESSA W 02/27/2012 09:01:27

Oh my goodness! From reading this post it\'s as if you are talking about my family. My friends are employees at our churchs\' small private school and much of my family utilizes the public school system. Needless to say, we are the oddballs. I just pray we get through this year and make it to fall. With God ALL things are possible!!!

JANIE V 02/27/2012 17:30:07

This article is a blessing to me. It could very well have been me that wrote it. I am new to the homeschool thing. Actually this is my very first week. I feel a bit overwhelmed at times and have wondered if I was doing the right thing. I know it is for my childs wellbeing that I homeschool him due to a lot of negative things happening within his public school. I sometimes feel Im not smart enough or that I may not teach him the right things. This article helped me realize that I am a child of God and that I can do all things through him. I will do this and together my child and I will succeed.

Shelly G 02/28/2012 09:32:15

This is what I needed to hear as well. I have been putting off home schooling for a few years now and am looking forward to the challenge and the journey. With God all things are possible.

DANA TOWNSEND 02/27/2013 14:05:28

I too have struggled with this decision. I have 3 young adults. Two have graduated from the public school and the other is a senior. Now thanks to God's sense of humor I have two sweet kids ready for kindergarten. After Sandy Hook I ordered my curriculum, still doubting myself.....Monday at my daughters school they were in lock down....unfortunately a child took their own life and was gracious enough not to take a bunch with her to make a name for herself. For about 5 minutes I knew they were on lock down but couldn't get hold of my middle. I've never felt so sick before. I won't question my decision anymore. What is the saddest, except for the loss of that poor girl, is that she is so used to lock down drills it didn't seem to faze her that much. I don't want that innocence taken from my babies.

TAMMY JOHNSON 02/27/2013 14:25:46

Timely. Last night my husband and I had a discussion and prayer time concerning our daughter. We pulled both our kids from the public school because God was leading us to home-school them during the turbulent middle years. It has been rough! Trying to afford home-school materials and trying to place our children in home-school materials in the middle of their learning has been a bit like trying to build a car with only parts and no instructions. Needless to say, I have been sure that I've been failing. Our daughter also has Asperger's and it so complicates these early teen years. Conventional parenting and discipline and even teaching doesn't work, but I am struggling trying to find what DOES work! Our discussion last night centered around the idea of putting our daughter back in the public school to at least give me a break. She isn't going to engage and learn no matter where she is at this point and my stress levels are absolutely through the roof. I can not remember a time ever in my life I felt this hopeless. We desperately pleaded that God would give us wisdom. I think this devotional is part of that answer. I'm still not certain, but God will make it clear as I continue to seek him. In the meantime, I have to find some way to make it through each day and try to teach my children. Yesterday we lost a full day of school because of "issues" and today I have a minor surgery so no time to make it up. I had planned this surgery into our schedule so it would work, but often the plans are blown to bits by daughter's stubborn refusal to cooperate.

Tricia Hafner 02/27/2013 17:56:02

being new to homeschooling this was super encouraging! my oldest is only 3, and my husband and I have planned on homeschooling before we ever has children, but my MIL is very unsupportive. It makes it hard knowing I am doing the right thing when every weekend when we see her she is trekking me he needs to get enrolled in Montessori school, ect. Hearing I am indeed doing what is best for us is a nice way to start my day!

Tammy Pridmore 02/28/2013 02:22:51

I enjoyed this article. We felt the same way for a few years before we began homeschooling.

I heard James Dobson speak on this subject on Focus on the Family. He said, " why do we think we have to stop teaching our kids just because they are old enough to start public school?" Parents are capable of continuing to teach their children as God leads them.


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