In the Distance
Posted in Daily Focus on Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Today was especially difficult as a homeschooling mom. I was beginning to believe my three-year-old daughter would be wearing diapers until she was 21. I was also frustrated with my son's lack of understanding fractions. I was ready to give up and let him learn to measure in whole numbers for the rest of his life. My life seemed stuck in the "forever" of this time. My children would never move beyond this point in their education, and I would never do anything different as a woman. Each day would be a repeat of the last with homeschooling, doing the laundry, cooking, and fulfilling church responsibilities. Would there ever be an end to this seemingly endless repetition?
As I loaded the children into the car for another trip to the grocery store, God spoke to my heart in a simple, but powerful way. Looking into the side mirrors for traffic, I suddenly noticed the words written on the glass: "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear!" God was showing me that the end to this homeschooling period of my life was closer than it appeared!
As time went on, I discovered that life was a series of transitions — chapters that are opened, read, and then closed for the next to begin. What chapter of your life are you in as a homeschooling parent — babies, toddlers, teenagers, empty nest? Things will not always remain the same. Enjoy the moment you are in now to the fullest. God is with you and knows exactly what you should be doing. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Father, thank You for life and each experience You provide. Help me take today and make this time a blessing to my family. Show me how to faithfully continue homeschooling and look forward to every opportunity to teach my children. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments(15 comments)
Kim K 10/09/2008 04:54:16
Thank you for "In the Distance" This spoke straight to my heart this morning. I am the mother of 6 children and the youngest just turned 21 months. They are all 2 years apart with 2 of them 18 months apart. I have been pregnant, nursing, or taking care of a small baby for almost 12 years now, continuously!!! We have been buying diapers for that long too! There have been days, years actually, where I, too, felt that these days would never end and as you said, we would never move beyond that point. I've always had a stroller to push, a diaper bag to carry, and a sitter to find! But now, seemingly all of a sudden, we are moving away from the babies. I am not expecting a new one, my baby is a full-fledged toddler (although not potty trained yet!!) and I already feel the direction and tone of our house changing. It's good in some ways, scary in some ways, and sad in many ways. I look back now, on this brink of a new era in our family's life, and wonder, "What happened?" Where did those days go? Those days that I thought would go on forever, are they ending already!? I don't know what the Lord has in store, maybe he will send another little one our way, but I do know whatever it is it won't last forever, as you said. I am learning to enjoy every minute with my big kids and my little ones!!! They truly do grow up fast!
Kim in GA
ROSIE D 10/09/2008 07:57:13
Thank you for today's devotion in the distance. I was actually just feelling like this this morning. I felt like my life is a rerun every morning. The same thing over and over. Then I read this and it changed me. I realized this time will soon be over and I will miss it. I need to enjoy it while it's here.
Thank you again.
PATRICIA H 10/09/2008 17:11:27
Thank you for today's devotion., I needed that reminder that this moment in my life is a bleep in time and will be over way too soon. All the trials and difficulties with everyday life will be over and the kids will grow never to be little again and any missed opportunity will no longer be there for the taking. I have difficulty living like I was dying, to quote Tim McGraw's song. I long to live like that and take in every small miracle and blessing that are in front of me every day. Thanks again for that reminder. I will dust my self off and try again! Blessings.
ROSE B 10/09/2009 05:37:47
Thank you Thank you Thank you I neede that reminder again this morning. We have 4 grown children and are homeschooling our 12 and 7 year olds. Needed to refocus again to take it one day at a time and view each interuption as a reminder from God to enjoy each moment as a gift from Him.
JEANNINE S 10/11/2010 13:41:52
I thought I printed this out to hang above my kitchen sink a few days ago and it apparently didn't work! This devotion was so encouraging I had to search for it again--thank you for having it available online. I am living in a sea of frustration and the words I read cooled my hot temper. I appreciate the reminder to enjoy TODAY with my children. After I read this the first time, I got off the computer, sat on the floor in our living room and decided to just "be" and not "do". This devotional ministered to my CHILDREN, so thank you!
ALISA A 10/09/2011 04:46:46
Alisa A.
Wow...this was such a great reminder & printed it out as well...just tried potty training my 2 1/2 year old daughter for the second time this week w/no success when my older two children trained much easier. I was feeling a little defeated yesterday and worn out in general....then this e-mail came in my inbox this morning. Thank you so much for this timely e-mail...God certainly knew I needed the reminder that they will not be young forever and to enjoy this stage of life...with my precious children. Thanks again & God bless!
KRISTINE B 10/09/2011 05:07:44
I needed this shake from wordly view to eternal view. My husband was recalled to active duty and sent to middle east for 6 months. Without family support, days have dragged on and it seems like the disance for us is so far away and time stands still. I am encouraged that things will not always remain the same and through Christ who strengthens me, I have hope in the distance. These devotionals are what are getting me through this period raising my children without my beloved husband. Thank you!
REBECKA P 10/09/2011 10:17:31
I can not tell you how tired I am. I feel like I am in constant replay mode. Been there, done that, going on 27 years. I have 2 older children both finished with college. Two children in their tween-age years. And my grandchildren are living with me (boys; 2 & 3 both in diapers and I am the sole caretaker). Ugh, I am beginning to wonder if I will ever get out of the diaper, potty training, taking care of children, home schooling years. I am really looking forward to some rewards and the next chapter in my life, as this has been incredibly hard, very lonely and heartbreaking. Thanks for the little tidbit of hope.
AMY B 10/09/2011 10:25:27
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CYNTHIA G 10/10/2011 10:46:02
I just had to discipline my 17 year old daughter over something that was so trivial. They grow up so fast and all too quickly I realize that my time is limited to instill in my daughters all that I can before they leave home. I dread the day that happens. This devotion reminds me that I need to be slow to anger and quick to think about what the important lesson is that God wants both me and my children to learn with each event that arises. Thank you!
LISBETH M 10/09/2012 04:42:37
Yes, Cynthia, I'm with you.. I need to be slow to anger. With 4 young boys (ages 5-10) and all of their personality conflicts, I feel exhausted. I waste a lot of time refereeing. I often panic on "all" that needs to be instilled while they are here, but that's when I don't trust God. With all of the responsibilities of homeschooling, taking care of the house, bills, etc I am quick to fall into a selfish mode and then it gets ugly. My prayer is that the Lord will help each of us homeschooling moms to enJOY each day and not dread it and that we will trust HIM for the moment to moment strength. Thanks for these timely devotions!
BOBBIE H 10/09/2012 07:33:33
What a powerful devotion... It's awesome that God can use us His people to help & encourage one another & it is so evident that HE is ALIVE & LIVING & still speaking to our hearts. Thank you God for these devotions you have put on hearts to write & share.
KATHY S 10/09/2012 08:17:48
I completely agree with you Bobbie H.
It is wonderful that God uses these devotionals and al the people on this site to help one another. He truly is an awesome God!
Time does go so very quickly with our children. I feell like it was yesterday when my 13 year old was still toddling around getting into mischief.
But now him being 6ft 2 I have to look up at him. I miss pushing him around in his stroller and taking him on the train rides in the mall, shopping at the Disney store, playing in the park, the Barnes and Noble childrens section where I would try and read him a book and he would run around exploring everything, etc.
He is growing up so wonderfully. He's so helpful, loving and caring, kind, thoughtful. It is another chapter in our lives, and I am thankful for this chapter and for all the memories that I have stored in my mind and my heart from when he was little.
Thank you Jesus for the gift of Salvation, and for my precious son, these are the best gifts you could have ever given me.
KIMBERLY DEAN 10/09/2013 15:07:53
I loved this post it really spoke to me. We have been homeschooling for 11 years now and I remember moments like these for sure! We just recently lost my nephew he simply went up the stairs lost his balance and fell backwards causing his death. It has been the hardest thing ever I feel like I lost one of my own. It has taught me so much in remembering to enjoy the little things however I still forget sometimes. My daughter just left for college in August and I am having such a hard time missing her and was trying to cry on my sisters shoulder when I realized "at least I still have her". That is what my sister quickly reminded me of. No matter the frustration or daunting task it only lasts such a short time. :)Again, thanks so much for the reminder.
Lorill Zandberg 10/11/2013 13:21:32
This devotional is such a good reminder of how quickly we move into different seasons. Lately our family has been under a lot of stress. Our oldest son was attacked by some pit bulls and the story went to the media because the authorities wouldn't do anything about it. In the past 2 weeks his learning disability has been diagnosed, along with very expensive therapy. Add to that 5 kids in competitive sports and trying to keep up with homeschooling and housework and I've been extremely impatient with them. I feel emptied out, but this reminds me to lean on Jesus where I haven't been. I can't do all of this but He can. I badly needed to be reminded of this. Thank you for sharing your heart and for your words of wisdom. I pray everyone has a blessed and lifted up day.