Grandma Goodbyes
Posted in Daily Focus on Friday, October 25, 2013
As Grandpa and Grandma drove out our yard to return to their home nine hours away, my daughter sat looking out the living room window with tears in her eyes. Each time they came to visit, I dreaded the day they were scheduled to leave. The emotional heartache my young daughter experienced made concentrating on homeschooling for the next several days difficult.
The disciples knew such a heartache when Christ was arrested in the garden, put on trial, and crucified. Peter and John, along with the others, wept bitterly when the One they had loved and followed was gone. Even though He had told them He would rise on the third day, they thought Jesus was no longer in their lives. They wondered if they would ever see Him again.
Do you ever feel like God has left you, especially in your homeschooling? Do you think everyone has abandoned you to figure out how to teach on your own. Don't let Satan's lies fool you! Jesus has promised, "For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5b). God is lovingly watching and interceding in your life. He knows what you need to teach your children each day and will provide all you need to do it. Keep trusting in Him. Someday, He will even be coming back for you, too. "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:1-3).
Jesus, thank You for not leaving me to homeschool alone. Help me to remember You are as close as my next prayer. I look for Your help today and hope in the promise of Your return. In Your name, Amen.
Comments(17 comments)
DONNA D 10/25/2010 00:17:51
I can't sleep here at 3am because of deep pressure regarding the care of my own Gramma... knowing the Lord will help me, I have to repeat His Word over and over. Tomorrow is going to be tough since I can't sleep. So I decide to check my email for what at 3am, I don't know. I open this devotional and the Lord confirms, He knows my anquish concerning my Gramma; He won't leave me nor forsake me, "God is lovingly watching and interceding in my life", and one day He will even come back for me!! Amen!!
OLIVIA S 10/25/2010 05:23:51
I love this verse. I am homeschooling myself. My parents are all so busy that's why they put me on AOA switched on online, that way the computer/teachers grade my work. It's so hard because none of then understand what I am learning, I ask them to read it but it's like they don't understand. I wish they were there for me most of the time.
This devotion helped me to know I'm not so lonely after all, and if my parents and sibling can't help me, God will give me wisdom. After all he is all-knowing, my counselor, teacher, and Father. I'm glad this devotion pointed out that I was being deceived by Satan's lies, I am not lonely, NEVER WAS!
CHRISTY P 10/25/2010 06:19:57
Thank you so much for this devotion! I am a homeschooling mom of 3 and often feel very alone. Often I find myself with knots in my stomach worrying that I'm doing it all wrong. This was so refreshing and uplifting and reminded me that I'm NOT alone EVER! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
CHARLES J. T 10/25/2010 07:13:03
Ladies your not alone. As a homeschooling mother often I am tempted to worry but so often the Lord reminds me I need to keep trusting. No one but the Lord knows fully what I have had to endure but as I keep my eyes on Jesus I remember He does know and it will all work out for my good and His glory. Too many hurdles to count? Forget about them and rejoice over the blessing even when you feel like you have to stain to see them they are there! I promise there is joy in serving Jesus and calm after the storm(s). Hold on to that truth for the current and next hurdles to come!
JENNIFER W 10/25/2010 07:16:47
Jennifer W
I have to say that your devotions everyday are what keeps me going. I get up early and read them before we start school. There are many days that I feel I am failing with my daughter. I am afraid that we are falling behind where she should be. Then when I read your devotion I know the Lord is with me. Thank you so much!
LAURA F 10/25/2010 07:27:22
How true! Lord, help me to look to you today when times get difficult! Help me to keep my eyes focused completely on you!
Jody F 10/25/2010 07:40:59
I just read the Grandma Good-Byes and was touched by the young daughters reaction to her grandmother leaving. In our own home, this was not true but the opposite as my children's grandmother was so over bearing sometimes my children couldn't wait for her to leave. I've often thought how I wished things could have been different. Although a saved lady, my mother-in-law often made her presence a burden rather than a joy, but it was a good example for me as to what I don't want to be when I become a grandmother. Jody F.
Laura B 10/25/2010 17:05:26
Such a timely word as our granparents left today! Thank you for the reminders of God's faithfulness to lead us, be with us, and carry us when we think we are doing this alone. :)
P.S. I can't wait to read the Daily Focus to my daughters. :) God Bless You!!
DONNA D 10/25/2010 19:24:06
@ Olivia S... I hear you dear... God hears you too!! Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all yuo hearts, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path" Jerimiah "I know the plans I have for you, plans to bless you not curse you; plans for a future and a hope." Your Heavenly Father knows all that you are learning, and Jesus our Lord is always there with you step by step with unconditional Love that will never fail you!! :o?
OLIVIA S 10/26/2010 07:04:05
@ Donna D Thank you so much, It\'s so hard, but I\'m not going to give up. What you wrote gave me the strength and Want,.. to do my best in everything I do, it was very uplifting. I\'m glad you understand. Donna, Take care, and have a wonderful day! God Bless =)
Angela T 10/26/2010 11:19:31
It is true! In my experience as a homeschooler the Holy Spirit is always there to encourage me whether I know it or not. He truly is One who is capable of comforting and counselling us every day!
DEB P 10/25/2011 18:15:56
I really need to feel the support of this devotion today and yesterday especially. Thank you.
S W 10/26/2011 08:32:36
Take heart Oliva. God loves you. Last year my daughter wrote this scripture on the palm of her hand...."Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you". Heb 13:5b. We read this scripture last night before bed and here it is this morning. My teen daughter also uses SOS but she prefers to do the work alone in the spare bedroom. When I offer my help, she says that I am "bugging" here. However, sometimes English is a little tough for her and she does ask me to help her. We just read the material aloud, sometimes more than once and then we figure it out. So..hang in there and take heart, we are there too.
SUSAN L 10/25/2012 06:14:45
I was helped by this and have been encouraged today .
KATHY S 10/25/2012 07:05:43
Olivia,
I want to tell you how very proud you should be of yourself. I give you so much credit and I know Jesus does and will always help you. What a wonderful young woman you are to faithfully do your work and without your families help.
I admire your strength and preserverence. Excellent Job!!!
KIMBERLY S 10/25/2012 12:35:15
Thank you for the encouragement today...I\'m sitting here in tears as I read your words. God has answered my prayers with this message. He IS so good!!!
Olivia, keep up the great work! God is preparing you for His great plans! He LOVES you and is very proud of you!
Julie O 10/29/2012 10:47:21
Olivia, you are an inspiration to us all. If you were my daughter I would be so proud of you, as I am sure are your parent\'s !! You are correct in not listening to the enemy\'s whispers sweet heart, they are complete lies !!