It's Too Hard
Posted in Daily Focus on Saturday, November 9, 2013
"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me" (Jeremiah 32:27)?
Motivating our homeschooled children to learn can seem like a daunting task. Many times we hear them say, "It's too hard," and we are tempted to put off teaching difficult lessons. Whether you are attempting to teach your child how to research material for a term paper or the proper steps for long division, step back and teach in smaller increments to keep him on track. Help your child learn the lesson one step at a time, and this will bring him more success in learning the information.
Joshua had a hard task facing him when he and the nation of Israel finally crossed into the Promised Land God had given them. They had to drive out the nations that were already living there — a very hard and large task, especially since some of the people were giants! City by city and tribe by tribe, God told Joshua what to do, and He gave the people victory in conquering the land.
Sometimes the problems homeschool parents face seem larger than life, too. We tell God, "It's too hard," and we are tempted to give up. Maybe you are faced with teaching your child high school subjects or you have a special needs child who requires extra attention. Ask God to help you break down the problem into smaller parts and show you the solutions you need to find success. You don't have the wisdom to know how to work things out, but God does. Don't despair. Nothing is too difficult for God!
Lord, You are a great and mighty God. I know that teaching our children is Your will. Please, show me how to solve the giant problems that have come because we chose to homeschool. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments(25 comments)
RACHELLE H 11/09/2008 16:41:31
That sure was perfect timing for me. Thanks! This is our first year homeschooling our three children. Some days are harder than others esp. with ADHD children but nothing is to hard with GOD'S help. Thanks again.
ROSE B 11/09/2009 06:38:45
This is perfect timing!! Am still trying to find something that works for an FAS child that has some memory problems--- thak you for the reminder that God is bigger than what I perceive as a problem!
TERRI M 11/09/2009 14:04:08
We are so happy we had our first day of school with the SOS for our 5th and 8th graders, what a blessing!
DIANE K 11/10/2009 08:19:39
I AM NEEDING SOME HELP WITH SWITCHED ON SCHOOL HOUSE PROGRAM. MY DAUGHTER IS IN THE TENTH GRADE, WE HAVE THE CIVICS AND HIGH SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAMS. MY PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN I GO TO GRADE HER WORK AND I WANT HER TO REWORK A PROBLEM HOW DO I JUST REASSIGN THE 1 OR 2 PROBLEMS AND NOT THE ENTIRE LESSON. IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME PLEASE EMAIL ME AT bessiemoe@yahoo.com AND IDENTIFY YOURSELF WITH SWITCHED ON SCHOOLHOUSE IN THE TITLE. THANKS
EILEEN M 11/09/2010 04:08:30
I've been teaching Religious Education sporatically through out the years. This year I had 12 children in my class and 5 of them didn't listen well and talked too much during class. Therefore, the hard part was not teaching my own child, but teaching the class. I had to stop so that the extra stress and planning time didn't interfere with my homeschooling lessons for my own children. I don't think I gave up, but find myself deeply concerned for these children. I wonder how they are faring and if they have a good replacement. I did finally connect with them the third class. Nevertheless, I couldn't let the extra planning time to meet their needs affect my homeschooling. Why do I think about them so much? I really do care. Do I care too much? I do pray for them, but I think this is all I can do at this point.
SHIRLY-ANN D 11/09/2010 05:21:26
Perfect timing. We just come out of a private Christian school to homeschooling and my son in grade 10 is finding the work load more difficult to manage (time wise) and the Algebra 2 the most difficult thing he has ever faced. I now it is as he has never had geometry before. He and I both get frustrated sometimes and think this is impossible. But, this reminded me to stay with it and the Lord will see us thru. thanks.
CHRISTY T 11/09/2010 06:54:13
I am so thankful for these devotions! I look forward everyday to reading them. This is our first year homeschooling our 2 middleschool age children, and with two toddlers as well well lets say that somedays are easyer then others. but when I hear my daughter say things like 'I wish I had know how to do this when I was in school, or mom ,I don't know if I would have made it if I had stayed in publc school. it reminds me that the Lord always knows what He's doing .' Great is the Lord'
SUSAN M 11/09/2010 07:02:26
It's the hardness that is the most important lesson. Don't quit needs to be sign over every door! Endure hardness as good soldier's ...if anyone will need to be clear on following this Biblical command it is the next generation!
KAREN B 11/09/2010 07:05:22
This is just what I needed to hear from the Lord this morning. Thank you Father for using others to give me the encouragement I need.
Jody F 11/09/2010 08:01:56
As a mom who has homeschooled a now nineth grader and a fourth grader, I can honestly say "it is worth it all". I've been homeschooling these two since PreK for each one and have had the blessing of teaching them simple reading and writing and math. Now, my son is doing Academy and daughter is doing LifePacs. Both like their curriculum, but we have our days. I always think a bad day homeschooling would be far better than seeing them leave in the morning and not seeing either of them again until late afternoon. I thank God every day for the blessing of being able to watch them grow and learn at home. Jody F
DAWN W 11/09/2010 08:04:11
I like it better when you can read the whole devotion through your email. I enjoy reading these and almost everyday it applies to me. Thank you for your encouragement.
MANDIE P 11/09/2010 08:15:31
Thank you Lord Jesus for your confirmation and direction. Teaching an ADHD child and homeschooling for the first time is a huge task, but I know God will lead me step by step to fulfill his Glory for my child!! We are so blessed!
Mandie P
BETH A 11/09/2010 15:23:41
Perfect timing....................Algebra , long division.
CELA P 11/10/2010 06:34:56
Thank you for this confirmation of the Lord's leading.... having 3 biological children, 1 on the way, and just adopting 3 older children from another country has proven "too hard" many times - reminding & reassurance is good for all of us! Be Blessed!
THERESA S W 11/10/2010 07:44:40
Theresa W
I just prayed for the Lord to help me through one more day. Then I read this devotion. Confirmation of God's help is wonderful!
DONNA J 11/10/2010 09:39:42
This was such a timely word for both the kids and for me! I am a wahm with an emerging business and keeping things in balance is an on-going process. Sometimes it seems that I'll never be able to make headway with the business while homeschooling, however, I've discovered that I'm getting a lot more accomplished by writing down my plan and taking things step by step.
Thanks so much!
REBECCA D 11/09/2011 07:38:03
I don't know what I'd do without these daily words of encouragement: so timely; so needed. Thank you.
JENNY G 11/09/2011 07:46:35
Thank you for the great encouragement once again! I am a single, stay at home, homeschooling mom of three and this life would be impossible without God's grace each day. Let's remember that for christians, it is not us living, but Christ that lives within us and He can do ANYTHING!!!
PAULA B 11/09/2011 07:49:03
Amazing grace, God is so good and amazing. He always comes through when I need Him. This was an amazingly encouraging devotion today. I'm new to homeschooling, just started in Sept. of this year with my 7th grader, and I just recently found out that he has ADD (not hyperactive.)
Most days of the week I feel like giving up on this endeavor. I'm always saying, 'this is too hard.' He has the most difficulty with math and LA.
Just this morning i thought to myself I should do shorter math lessons to teach him each concept little by little and then I get this in my inbox. God is listening and He knows all things. He is great and greatly to be praised.
Sure this is hard but with God all things are possible.
Thanks so much for the timely encouragement.
INES M 11/09/2011 07:54:30
I"ve been hearing this all morning...unit tests in pre-algebra, science, and language arts...one of my daily battles with my son is that he does actually have to learn this material and I need to stand firm and not let him get away with it, and I need to stay focused on the Lord to keep from letting him take control or pushing me to lose control.
Ines M.
TORI L 11/09/2011 11:00:15
So True!!!!! Homeschooling 6 kids and keeping a toddler occupied while maintaining a household often cause me to say or think, "This is too hard". I daily need to come before the throne of grace for wisdom and encouragement to keep my eyes on the goal. Homeschooling is a marathon with ups and downs along the way. I get lost when I try to homeschool in my own strength. ...Nothing is too hard for the Lord. Great thought to meditate on today.
TAMMIE M 11/10/2011 09:03:01
Thank you I really needed this. I am new to homeschooling and have a junior in high school, a fifth grader,a sixth grader, and 2 in kinder.along wirh a three yr oldl and a 4 yr old. This week has been such a struggle for me. I have doubted my ability to teach then properly. I know this is what God wants me to do. Sometimes it's just a strugge to know if you are going to do a good enough job. thank you again for the words of encouragement I
TAMMIE M 11/10/2011 09:07:13
I posted from my phone and sometimes it changes my words. I can spell I promise. Once again thank you for the encouragement.
ALEZA J 11/09/2012 10:48:53
Paula B, I have ADD and was homeschooled for a time. Whenever I got distracted, my mom would pull out a timer. This was usually with math. She set the timer for a short time and have me race the clock. It worked. Now I am good at math and have learned to notice when I'm distracted from what's important. Good luck!!
LARECIA T 11/09/2012 12:04:29
This devotional was very timely!!! Having a hard time with one of our children this year and getting them to understand material and believe they can do it. I know GOD is going to help us and get through this year. I am praying and believing that that wall will come down and understanding and direction will come in!