Matters of the Heart

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil" (Jeremiah 29:11a).

Is there anything more agonizing to homeschooling parents than watching their child struggle when taking a test? Whenever my children went through contortions trying to remember facts hiding in their memory banks, I wanted to run to their rescue. Sometimes, I even went so far as to drop a few hints to help them succeed in their efforts. Surprisingly, my children perceived just the opposite about my feelings. Thinking I enjoyed using my red pen, they didn't understand the ache in my heart when I corrected their wrong answers. As their parent, I didn't want them to fail. I wanted them to triumph in their tests.

What's even more surprising is the misconception many Christians have of their Heavenly Father. Picturing God as holy and just, they forget that God is also merciful and loving. God doesn't look forward to punishing us for what we've done wrong. In fact, just the opposite is true. He wants us to succeed in our Christian walk and discover all the blessings He has waiting for us. Every day when tests come and we can't remember the right answers from His Word, He helps us succeed by sending encouraging hints. Whether a godly friend reminds us of His love or the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom to discern a problem, we can rest assured that "If God be for us, who can be against us" (Romans 8:31b)?

Have you been getting a few problems wrong in the tests of your life? Take heart, dear friend in Christ. The Lord isn't waiting to condemn you (Romans 8:1). He loves you and wants to help you find victory in the power of His mighty name. "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand" (Psalm 139:17-18a).

Lord, thank You for being a God who loves me more than I can imagine. Lift me today and remind me again of all You've given me as Your child. In the name of Your dear Son, Amen.

Share This Article

Comments(21 comments)

JACKIE H 11/12/2008 19:48:56

WISH I COULD GIVE BUT CAN`T AFFORD THE CURRICULUM MY SON NEEDS MYSELF.THE VIOLENCE IN HIS MIDDLE SCHOOL WAS SO BAD I DIDN`T GET TO PLAN ANYTHING. DIDN`T KNOW HOMESCHOOLING WAS SO EXPENSIVE.I`M A SINGLE PARENT WITH NO SUPPORT BUT MYSELF AND WORK AT A SMALL AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIER PLANT. EVERY OTHER WEEK WE ARE LAYED OFF FOR 1 DAY.THIS WAS OUR GROCERY MONEY. MY ONLY HOPE IS TO TEACH MY SON ENOUGH SO HE CAN PASS THE GED.MAYBE GOD HAS SOMETHING BETTER FOR HIM FOR THIS IS TRULY THE END OF TIMES. THE SEAL HAS BEEN BROKEN AND AM AWAITING THE TRUMPETS.GOD BLESS ALL

MARY A 11/16/2008 09:40:04

Jackie,

I fully understand not having the money for the wonderful curriculum offered by AOP. I have the SOS 2008 on my wish list. I found a support group that shares curriculum for free or very low cost, it is located at http://www.thehomeschoollounge.com/ Please go there and take a look under "resources" under the logo for the group. Hope this helps some. Also check ou the local library for textbooks and other resources for homeschooling parents.

Mary

CHRISTY R 11/12/2009 07:51:34

Thank you for sharing this devotional today. I needed to hear it.

FRANCES B 11/12/2010 06:11:56

Thank You for reminding me that He is here with us; in our home AND in our hearts~ all knowing, all powerful, and all love. My problem is burning the candle from both ends and I'm having a hard time focusing on 'school.' We're good for field trips....lots of educational things to do and learn about, seeing our friends...but the three R's aren't getting the attention they deserve. I know "Abba" must be groaning with his forehead in His hand as He watches.

JOYANNA E 11/12/2010 07:32:05

Jackie,

I do know how you feel. Don't forget that when we can see no-one else God can see us and we are supported by the prayers of Jesus ever making intercession for us. We are covered by His grace. I hope that you will be encouraged. Praying for you today.

Joyanna

SARA Q 11/12/2010 08:58:55

I'm keeping all of you fellow homeschool parents in my prayers. May God provide a way for you to give your children a quality education. I have 4 children and will be homeschooling all of them next year...I'm having faith that the money will be there but if not I know whole heartedly that HE has a plan.

Blessings to you all.

INDIRA L 11/12/2010 09:14:36

Hi Jackie,

I, too, had to homeschool my son because of the violence in Middle School. Curriculum can be expensive at times. I have found many resources to use including the internet. Does your state provide an online education for middle school? There are also many "freecycle" websites in cities across the USA. They are meant for people to share/give to others items they no longer need or want and are still in good condition for someone else to use. Have faith and know that HE knows your heart and will provide.

louella a 11/12/2010 09:59:24

I have read the comments on here and they are so true. I am a homeschooling mother of three, and money wise it is hard some times , but we got with a awsome homeschooling group and they helped us with curriculum when the money was not there. You have to remember that you are doing something that benefits your children and that is making God smile. You are giving your children a wonderful education ,but not only that , you get to teach them of Christ without someone condeming you for what you believe in. My children love homeschooling , and just being able to pray with them every morning before we start lessons and see how comfortable they are schooling at home is enough for me to smile everyday. I hope that you give God a chance to help you do this for your children and dont give up. May God bless your upcoming holidays.

JAN L 11/12/2010 10:20:07

You can also join curriculumshare.com.

MARY Y 11/12/2010 15:01:44

Have you found a homeschooling support group in your area? If you haven't, find one. Homeschool families are always ready to help other homeschooling families when it comes to scratching up curriculum for others.

HOLLIE H 11/12/2010 19:08:37

I wonder if your school district offers a virtual school program. Ours does and it is free. If not, is school choice an option in your area? Maybe, you could choose to enroll your son in another district's virtual school?

We don't use it personally, but it is an option to consider if cost is the issue.

Also, probably most of what your son actually needs to learn could be found through the library for free! So much science, history, art, literature, etc. can be learned just by reading good books (or reading them together) - it is even fun to make up your own unit studies based on books that interest your child in these subjects. It is a way to create your own personal curriculum! Don't lose heart! Cast your care on the Lord, He cares for you!

OLIVIA S 11/14/2010 06:48:57

Jackie,

Its pretty expensive but not so much that private school! but I'm actually learning myself, if I need help I'll call my school. My parents are a bit too busy, my mom works, my grandma constantly has meetings throughout the week, she is a leader of all Bible studies, in 5 different places, so pretty much no time for me, except to just see how I'm doing. I transferred because of the same thing your son went through, he isn't alone and your are not alone too. Have faith, have you forgotten God is our Provider?

In his words, if you ask you will receive. I prayed to have money for this school, God is so Great he knew ahead of time. But before that I didn't pray to transfer, I thought I couldn't or I just never thought of it. I'd always complain about school everyday and God knew it in my heart, and he definitely did something about it!

I was struggling in school, and especially when I became a new Christian, I was constantly distracted by my friends in public school, who've been hurting me, spreading rumors, fights, gossiping etc., that I haven't had time to grow spiritually. So news came my grandma retired that last month of my junior yr in high school, and now receives money. Lots of people from my church knew I was going to transfer, my pastors wife spoke up about home school, much more cheaper than private schools here. And since my grandma was receiving money, we did indeed have the right amount of money, to pay my school off. I now am homeschooling my senior year, and I've grown so much spiritually, emotionally, etc. and I am so Blessed and happy what God has done for me, and I know he can for you. I'll pray for you, and also you pray too, he likes to hear from you!

AUDRA K 11/12/2011 04:15:39

Great devotional and encouragement for new and veteran homeschoolers. I keep all homeschoolers in my prayers that God will provide the resources to train our children in godlliness and in excellence for their education. I have personally found the public library, other homeschoolers, and the Internet a great resource for teaching my children at home. God bless u all!

VANESSA W 11/12/2011 14:48:31

Jackie, AOP is a wonderful Christian curriculum, however for those who want excellent Christian curriculum a lot less expensive-try Rod and Staff. They are a fraction of the cost but are very good as well. And keep positive. God is with you. Your son will do fine.

RENEE C 11/12/2011 19:28:16

Jackie,

Take a look at the Lifepac curriculum. Switched-on was modeled after Lifepac and much of the information is the same, but Lifepac comes in workbook form. You can purchase these workbooks a few at a time and spread out the cost. Another option is to block your subjects; purchase 2 or 3 complete sets and have him work for a longer period each day. When he has completed all the units, get a few more sets in a different subject area. Keep an eye out for sales too! It can save you an extra 10-15%.

KRISTINE H 11/12/2011 19:34:12

Jackie H, I agree that AOP is a great curriculum and is Christian based so I really do not like the idea of recommending another curriculum. But until you have more funds for AOP, perhaps you could look into Connections Academy to get started. It is an on-line public school that is free, they supply the books and they supply the computer also for 6th grade up. I have a friend who uses this for her two children and she works full time! I hear your struggles....I debate to send my kids back to school so I can work full-time. Just praying that HE will supply so they can stay home! If God is speaking for you to homeschool your son, he will find a way for you.

PAT M 11/12/2012 09:18:58

Clay book store in Ephrata PA has alot of used AOP. You could call them to see if they have what you need. They are so nice.

PAT M 11/12/2012 09:22:59

What you need? I have used AOP that I am done with. You can contact me by the comment section on the homeschool page of my website if you want me to see if I have what you need. http://homeschoolconnections.weebly.com/

KATHY S 11/12/2012 09:49:06

Hi Jackie,

I truly can sympathize with you as my son was bullied horribly in middle school 6th grade and 3 days of 7th grade when I pulled him out. I also am a single Mom.

I buy AOP for online math. I also cannot afford all the other curriculum from them. {Someday when we have money I will buy all the AOP :) }

Anyway, I use a curriculum called "Spectrum, on the "Christian Book Website". I bought each subject book for $6.77 ( or close to that)

when they were on sale from their $10.00 each price.

My son is in 8th grade and he loves this curriculum. We got world maps/USA maps for a little over $2.00 each. He picked out one book from B&N for $20.00 that replaces all the "Chapter reading books" for the year (it's over 400 pages)

Also, Our church has a food pantry that they are always refilling for poeple who are in need.

Perhaps if you talk to your church they could help subsidize some of your groceries to help with your homeschool costs.

Also, alot of churches have "Adopt a family" for Christmas, where a family that has funding available will get a wish list from someone in need and fulfiil it. Maybe a "gift card" towards curriculum.

That's all I have right now, I'm sorry. I hope some of this helps you.

God Bless!

MELISSA R 11/12/2012 15:49:44

Last year was our first year of homeschooling and money was very tight. We homeschool 5 kiddos, kindergarten thru 8th grade. We bought a few Spectrum workbooks ($10 or less), but mostly we used our public library and the internet. You don\'t need a lot of money to homeschool, you just need to be creative! This summer we shopped a few garage sales and found some Abeka books for $2 a piece, that\'s what we are using this year...God will provide what you need, when you need it. Pray!

Your sister in Christ,

Melissa

Jennifer Sharp 11/14/2013 14:29:52

I am truly grateful for these daily devotionals. Sunday's devotional gave me the encouragement I needed to make it to church that morning and put all the things on my to-do list aside for a while and I was truly blessed by the message that morning.

Jackie H., there are a lot of options out there, several free ones as well. I was looking for information about a small school I've noticed held at a nearby church and this was the information I found. Perhaps they have a learning center near you. http://www.hopeonline.org/learning-centers/hope-cornerstone-learning-center

This is my first year trying to homeschool my son who is in 5th grade. He has always attended private Christian schools and has done well, but the homework was getting to be a bit extreme and we also have some health issues. It has been a real struggle. AOP was the third curriculum we have tried (the first was a Christian online academy, but horribly boring, the second was a public online academy and that work load was crazy and they wanted him to make up everything he'd missed the first month and a half because we started late). We both like the AOP curriculum, but are still struggling. He does great on lessons, but has failed every quiz/test he has taken. Sorry for the long post, but any advice would be great or even just prayers. I hate feeling like he has gone from an honor-roll student to a failing student.

Good luck on your search Jackie, I am sure the Lord will provide a way for you and myself.

God bless you all!


Blog Categories


Homeschool eNews


Want more information?


We're available right now!

Call 1-800-622-3070

CHAT NOW Schedule a CALL BACK Free GETTING STARTED GUIDE Email us a MESSAGE