Lessons from a Goose

"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps" (Proverbs 16:9).

I was on my daily walk and trying to organize my thoughts for a long homeschooling day. I stopped to observe the sunrise in the spring sky and noticed a large flock of geese heading north. Captivated by the sight, I laid down on the ground to watch their movements. Watching them fly in their traditional V shape, I observed the lead goose as he dropped back to find a new spot in the formation. The goose that had been directly behind him assumed the lead, and the entire group continued flying. Twice more, I saw the same process take place before the flock was completely out of sight.

Reflecting on what I had just seen, I knew God had spoken to my heart with a new homeschooling philosophy. Since I didn't have the energy or the wisdom, God's divine plans for my children's education included others besides me. Sometimes God moved my husband into the lead position to teach art, physical education, or life skills in mechanics and carpentry. Other times, God provided homeschooling friends to share their expertise in a particular subject during a co-op homeschool group lesson. God even allowed me to drop back and catch my breath with field trips supervised by Grandpa and Grandma and high school tutors for biology and chemistry labs. Although I was ultimately in charge of my children's education, I found great relief in God's occasional provision of a new lead goose.

Have you made the mistake of believing you're in this homeschooling decision all by yourself? Blazing the homeschool trail is difficult, especially when you're teaching more than one child. God knows the rest you need and has already planned for others to come along and help. Just pray and ask God to show you which goose to follow.

Lord, thank You for the joy of homeschooling. Forgive me for thinking I'm the only one capable of teaching my children. Lead me to those people You have prepared to help train them and teach me to relax and enjoy the time of rest. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Comments(8 comments)

DENEEN R 03/18/2009 05:36:53

How thankful I am that there are others who will lead my children. The mistake I made long ago was thinking that it was my sole responsibility to teach all subjects. When it came to teach piano, I tried to learn it first so that I could impart it to my children. There were many other subjects like that and after awhile, I became burned out. How thankful I am to have a piano teacher who teaches the children because then I can move on to the next task while enjoying watching them be taught by someone else.

Thank you so very much for these timely devotions which help to encourage pilgrims in homeschooling.

LISA D 03/18/2009 07:00:53

I have a 16 year old daughter in 10th grade and she has ADD. I read your blog every morning and it does bring encourgement. I have to say this one I needed to comment with a Great Big Thank you. I really need support, because she has a hard time retaining things. She knows it in her heart,but getting it out on the test is a whole different thing. If she can choose the answers by multiple choice she has a better chance of remembering. I want her to be so successful and most of the time I was feeling guilty ,because of the way I have to teach her and allowing others take the lead. It seemed like I was cheating. Your message this morning gave me hope encouragement and feeling of freedom in my Mothers heart. If you have any other thoughts on the way to teach a child who has ADD and test anxieties. Please give me some tips.

Thank you and God Bless you.

TAMMY E 03/18/2010 04:45:57

I am new to home schooling this year. It has been a very difficult year, however it has been wonderful year as well. When I read this devotional this morning I was blessed by your wise words. God has given us an amazing job to teaching our children He has given us his Holy Spirit to guide and teach us along the way, but he also has people in our life that can lend a hand in things we do not understand. It is good to be reminded of this. Thank you, and God bless.

LARRY T 03/18/2011 12:32:11

I am a sixty two year old grandmother who homeschool my youngest

boy some 9-10 years ago and have homeschooled my two grandchildren

for 5 years. I am having medical problems which make me tired. This

article and using the Academy Program has lifted my spirits and shown

me that we can still go the next several years for homeschool until she

graduates. I praise the Lord for this devotional. Thank you.

JENNIFER W 03/21/2011 05:44:26

Jennifer W

Thank you so much for this devotional. I have a 9 year old daughter with ADD. I have always fely like no one else could teach her but myself. I thought they don\'t understand how she works because there are days that I have a hard time. This has opened my eyes to see that I need to step back and trust the Lord and allow someone to help me.Again thank you.

ELAINE P 03/23/2011 08:11:43

This is my first year homeschooling, too! I have two ADD kids, We used to have some help from Dad but he\'s been relocated by his employer to MN. So it\'s all me until we can join him in the late spring or early summer. These devotionals are so helpful.

Shelly Blevins 03/18/2013 17:39:06

This is also my first year homeschooling. 10, 8 and 5 year old and am finding it very difficult at times to do this on my own. This message spoke to me. I will pray that God will open doors in my life to give me the help I need to finish the task. Thank you and God Bless.

SUZANNE CARRIER 03/18/2013 23:37:40

Our son, now 26, had ADHD all the way through K-12. He graduated and scored well on the GED. Although we struggled EVERY SINGLE YEAR he is now a well adjusted adult and God has found a career he is good at. He is a cook at a hospital and doing very well in all areas of his life. It definitely was a team effort by Mom, Dad, Grandma, Aunts, and Uncles....mostly Mom... Don't forget that the spirit of Jesus is at work too. God will be faithful whatever your situation is. Don't lose heart. ;)


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