Making Do

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have" (Hebrews 13:5a).

Contrary to public opinion, you can homeschool your children without spending a large amount of money. Like most homeschooling parents, I considered "cheap" and "free" my favorite two words when looking for curriculum and resources for our homeschool. Many times I was forced to make my own teaching aids for phonics, math, and science concepts. Surprisingly, my children never minded my homemade visuals. In fact, they became inspired to design their own teaching tools for playing games together.

Making the most of what you have is a missionary mindset the apostle Paul illustrated well in Philippians 4:11-12: "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." Paul had learned the art of being content no matter what material blessings God provided. At times, God provided for Paul's needs by giving him the opportunity to earn his own living (1 Thessalonians 2:9). Other times, God used the charitable giving of Christians to meet Paul's needs. Whatever the situation, Paul knew God would provide if he was in the middle of God's will, even if God's will placed him in the middle of a sinking ship (Acts 27)!

God promises that you will not lack in the work He has for you to do (2 Corinthians 9:8). If He has called you to teach your children, He already knows the costs involved and the resources you need. Don't get into trouble financially by falling for the bigger and better mentality in regard to purchasing homeschooling supplies. Pray and seek the Lord's choices for teaching your children. Perhaps you're failing to notice the untapped resources He has already given you. Isn't the Bible, the best curriculum any child can use, the best place to start?

Lord, forgive my greediness in wanting homeschooling trips and resources I cannot afford. Open my eyes to see the provisions You've clearly laid before me to teach my children what they need to know. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Comments(17 comments)

MISTY O 01/25/2010 11:04:11

So true. God has been telling me this for the past two or three months...maybe longer. The Bible should be the most important text book we have. And if we had not other books to teach with, the Bible really is all we need.

JULIE R 01/25/2010 14:07:58

This has really been on my mind today. What perfect timing! After much prayer, I really feel led to use a certain curriculum next year (our first year homeschooling) and well, let's just say finances aren't that great for us right now. I've heard from other moms that they've purchased their assorted curriculum's and they've told the prices they've paid and I admit that I have been a little jealous that they have the resources to pay for these great curriculums. But I do know that if God is leading me to use this one, somehow he will provide. Thanks for sharing.

MOLLY L 01/26/2010 08:18:58

I have spent countless hours researching opinions on different curriculums, only to become confused and even more lost as to what to purchase...and we're not even homeschooling yet! God called me to do this, HE will direct my path with what to utilize to accomplish HIS WILL! Thank you for this b/c it helps me realize I don't need to stress about HOW this will get done, but that the ONE will provide and guide the way!

SUZANNE N 01/25/2011 04:18:02

Thank you God for this word and for your promise to provide. I am considering homeschooling my two sons beginning next fall and I know that this is the best way for me to teach them and influence them. I have become overwhelmed by my lack of finances for right now and am afraid to make the committment because of not knowing how I will be able to do it 'then'. I will offer it up to God and seek His provision and Will.....always needing the scripture to get 'me' out of control and let God do what He is amazingly capable of....

SUSAN H 01/25/2011 04:23:07

Suzanne N., You and I are in the same boat. We are seriously considering homeschooling our three daughters starting in the fall and are researching curriculums. Scary, some of the prices! I've felt the Lord leading us in this direction for quite some time but haven't had the courage to just jump. Well, now we're jumping. Be encouraged, you are not alone! :)

FRANCES B 01/25/2011 05:11:14

May God bless and keep you who are making the "leap" into home schooling. I am in my second year of homeschooling (1st grade, and my other is dabbling in kindergarden).

Support group Support group Support group. That is your source for advice & encouragement. And you CAN teach your children without apending a lot. That is where the advice of veteran home educators can solve your dilema. They know how to find free resources. Indeed, be encouraged. This is an exciting time.

KAREN L 01/25/2011 08:31:59

To all of you, bless you for your desire to homeschool your children. I have been homeschooling my 12 year old son since 2nd grade (now in 7th). It has been such a blessing to see him grow in the knowledge and wisdom of our Lord.

This school year we have struggled ,like millions of other families, with unemployment. My husband lost his job last August, Praise the Lord he is now back at work. I share this to let you all know that God is faithful! He will provide for all of your needs! He will give you strength in times of weakness. He will bless you and guide you along the best pathway for your life. Trust Him.

Our verse for this year is Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. Because he trusts in You."

God faithly provided for us through our times of need. All our needs were met. Even our homeschool needs were met just before my husband lost his job.

Don't let money, or the lack of it, keep you from doing what God is calling you to do. "Where God guides, God Provides." May you find peace in Him as you move toward a lifetime of joy in homeschool.

BRENNA H 01/25/2011 08:42:44

Ladies, Your words encourage me greatly. I struggle everyday with a sweet little daughter that cannot sit for class more than 10 minutes somedays. I pray for patience and instruction from God. I cannot keep her with me if she cannot sit to do her work. It helps to hear that you women also deal with your own struggles and keep your eyes steadfast on the cross. God Bless you all. We serve an Amazing God.

Jody F 01/25/2011 11:26:21

Today's devotion was indeed encouraging to me, I've been a home-schooling mom for 10 years. I was always intimidated when others had the more pricey curriculums and I often felt inferior. God is so good - when our son reached high-school level I was so undecided knowing the path that I wanted to follow was expensive but also the best option for us. I purposed in my heart (after much prayer) that this was what God wanted for him and he is fllourishing in the curriculum that the Lord helped me choose for him. This was also the one I had wanted for him but believed we could not afford - God opened the door and did not close it but made a way for us to afford what our son heeded. Praise Him, He always makes a way!

KAREN L 01/26/2011 08:25:37

Brenna,

I don't know your circumstances, but when I began homeschooling my son. He had a hard time sitting still, too. Then God showed me that is why he was at home. He was so busy he would have been a distraction in a normal classroom. He is a normal healthy child with a ton of energy.

When we first started out, I found we did our best work on the living room floor while he was standing on his head. Yes, you read the correctly! He had learned from his cousins how to stand on his head, and wanted to do it all the time, so he would practice his math drills while on his head. We still laugh at it!

We also played a lot of "Simon Says" when he started to fidget I would have him stand up and we would play for a few rounds. He loved it, I still do it today when he's bottled up with energy, just for the laughs. We also did a lot of chalk work, spelling words lined the sidewalks some days.

Don't fret over the sudden burst of energy your daugther has. I'm sure you love having your daughter home with you so I would think of ways to incorporate her silliness and use that to your homeschool advantage. As we homeschool we have to remember to always think outside the box (four walls)..

I hope these tips help you enjoy your time with your daughter, even her precious outburst of energy. Love in Christ! Karen

PAMELA A 01/25/2012 04:30:08

This is just what I needed this mornign ladies! Thank-you so much for all the encouraging words!

ANDREA D 01/25/2012 07:09:07

This is so fitting and so true. I find myself not worrying as much about what I'm going to use each year because God has and will continue to provide what we need for today (or this current school year). I homeschool my 4th grader, 2nd grader, 1st grader, and preschooler (along with my 2 yr old and 3 month old listening in and interrupting)the Lord has not only supplied our every need, but has also supplied patience and invaluable learning experiences for us all along our way. We serve an amazing God, don't we?

JODI N 01/25/2012 08:15:58

We have been homeschooling our kids for 8 years. We very seldom purchase books. We often ask teacher friends if the schools will be discarding any used textbooks at the end of the school year. That is where we've gotten most of our supplies for homeschooling. However, as the kids have entered into high school, we have found the need to purchase a few miscellaneous workbooks. We homeschool our 3 kids for less than $100 a year. (Of course, if we had more money to spend, we'd spend more money!) I hope this information is useful to other homeschool families!

PAULINE S 01/25/2012 08:21:53

I pulled my son out of school just before middle school. We both struggle focus and attention issues. I just am now getting over the disappointment of not being like the wise and calm teachers he had in school. Still waiting to see how God plans to work this all out....

MARY O 01/25/2012 10:45:52

Just a slight echo regarding Jodi N\'s post, where we live we have the \"right\" to homeschool using curriculum from the public school if we want to do so. I haven\'t really looked at it at this point even though I\'ve been homeschooling for three years now - 1 in 2nd, 1 in 1st, 1 in preschool. I guess for me it comes down to the fact that I am homeschooling in part because I don\'t like what is taught and how it is taught in the public school. But that doesn\'t mean that you couldn\'t use the curriculum to suit your needs and preferences. One issue that could come up is the secular bias of science and social studies curriculums.

With that said, if money is an issue, see if you can get curriculum from the school district for free (it really isn\'t free - your tax dollars have paid for it, so why shouldn\'t you be allowed to use it if you wish to do so?!?).

TABITHA J 01/25/2012 15:37:11

When I told my mother in law that I am planning on homeschooling my kids when I have them, she mentioned that there are a lot of things that one could use for homeschooling online that does not cost a lot of money. It looks like that I would follow her advice and create a way to make homeschooling affordable. Might consider getting workbooks at the local bookstores to help us out.

MELODY CHAMBERS 01/28/2013 21:59:20

We have a resouce in my town that you may find helpful. Check out www.thebooksamaritan.com.to request curriculum if you are in need! They ship practically all over the world.


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