Nothing More to Give
Posted in Daily Focus on Monday, May 12, 2014
"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect" (Psalm 18:32).
Do you ever wake up and feel like you have nothing left to give as a homeschooling parent? During one quiet morning as I looked out the kitchen window, I felt exhausted physically, financially, and emotionally. I just wanted my house to be clean, but as I looked around the house, each task I had accomplished seemed to have been replaced by ten others. Laundry, dishes, and dirt seemed to be everywhere. Added to this overwhelming burden was a mountain of schoolwork waiting to be graded and lessons needing to be planned. I felt depleted to the point of despair and prayed, "Lord, I'm so tired. Will I ever finish all this work?"
The struggle to find strength for the battle is nothing new. We can quit homeschooling, but if countless other Christians have remained steadfast through their difficult times, we can too. Clearly, believing the old saying, "When life gets tough, the tough get going," isn't the answer. As Christian homeschooling parents, we already know we don't have the ability to conjure up strength on our own. The strength lies in our attitude toward God and acknowledging our dependency on Him. Like Paul, we must learn "for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10b). Like a little child strengthened by his parents to lift objects much too heavy for himself, we can rediscover God's strength to move mountains of housework, schoolwork, or whatever comes our way.
If you are experiencing homeschool burnout and finding yourself shutting down, God is waiting for you. Your all-powerful and loving heavenly Father has the strength you need to face today, tomorrow, and even eternity. Stop thinking about what you can't do. Start depending on God and find out what you can do through Him today. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).
Lord, homeschooling is impossible without You. Show me how to cling to You and lift me above the weight of each day's tasks. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Comments(17 comments)
SUSAN M 05/11/2009 01:48:54
You have no idea how much I needed to read that.
Susan
England, U.K.
CHERYL D 05/11/2009 03:22:57
I relate to this so much too!
We have 30 days of school to complete, and have had interuptions of a death of a beloved grandmother, our old faithful dog, a new puppy, etc... the list goes on.
I need the Lord's wisdom and strength to not be overwhelmed, and to know what we need to do to end this year in a pleasing manner to God, without shortchanging my children's education.
I'm burnt out at this time of year. Lord please help us all draw on your almighty strength.
PATTI C 05/11/2009 09:49:43
Thank you... I came to this blog to seek encouragement for my feeling of "being under water!"
May seems to be a time of true testing for all of us! Thank you..
MILDRED H 05/11/2009 17:45:04
That devotional was very encouraging, not just for the homeschooling aspect of life but many other things as well. I remember when I was homeschooling 3 with one toddlers destroying whatever she could get to. I felt so much like this. God is faithful not only to comfort but to also instruct. He let me know to make Home maintenace a part of my homeschool so I started giving school credit for work done as Home Economics. They were required to help with cleaning, cooking and so on. As a result I have young women who are well trianed to be mothers and wives. I have one left in homeschool. That toddlers has grown. They learn what's important by example. God doesn't want us to be overwhelmed with the things of this life but He know we can't just blow it off. He will give us a plan if we sincerely ask for it.
God Bless Mothers who are still willing to do sacrifical service!
Mildred
LAUREL S 05/13/2009 07:09:22
We've homeschooled for 8 years, and I can testify to the fact that Spring Fever sets in for most of us. Rather than fight it, I take it is a cue that it's time to do something different. In my opinion, almost everything that we do can be considered "school" in one way or another, just like Mildred, who counts housekeeping as Home Economics. This year, when I started feeling that way, I brought home an armload of library books of various subjects, and purchased new workbooks that the girls can pretty much do without my help. Instead of doing school work all day yesterday, the girls did a couple of worksheets and then we went our "couponing". It was fun and the girls learned something about saving money on the things that we need. While on our crazy couponing trip, the girls planned our supper. Therefore, learning was still present even though it wasn't on paper, and we had fun. I see so many mothers, including public schooling mothers that are at their wit's end by this time of year. It doesn't have to be that way.
Have a Great Day!
Laurel
BRENDA G 05/12/2010 06:57:49
I just want to thank you for this devotion. God worked through you to tell me exactly what I needed to hear.....
BARBARA B 05/12/2010 08:13:40
Thank you for the encouragement that I much need right now. Going through a very difficult time and need the word in my heart.
SUSAN M 05/12/2011 06:20:44
Thank you for this reminder today. Listening to Joni Eareckson Tada during the National Day of Prayer Broadcast I was reminded that everyone faces those tough choices each morning. I was encouraged by her statement that she had to ask God for the grace to smile for the friend who comes each day to help get her up and ready for another day with parapelegia. Dependence on God even for the right attitude is so true...thank you!
JACQUELINE W 05/12/2011 07:04:05
This comes at a great time. Thank you so much for sharing part of your life with others so we can not feel so alone sometimes. It truely helps to have a spouse that helps. Just this past weekend my husband realized I needed a break and took care of the kids (all 5 of them!) for two straight days. I awoke on Monday refreshed and ready to finish off the school year renewed. Taking a few days off from chores, school and normal care of the children, and a little extra sleeping in, really renewed me.
JOANNA T 05/12/2011 08:45:55
God has perfect timing - my 8th grader just stormed out the room after a difficult Algebra problem. I needed to read this and remember to ask God to help me as a mother and, right now, as a math teacher! Thanks!
KAREN H 05/12/2011 09:06:17
Thank you, God really knew I needed this today!
LORI A 05/12/2011 16:57:23
Thank you so, so, so much for this devotional! It perfectly combines wiith my situations right now. My week has seemed unsurmountably stressful and overwhelming, and I have been struggling to let God take control. Today, just before reading this I had been praying for the Lord to help me, that I didn\'t know how much longer I could hold out. He has proved once again that He hears the heart\'s cry. As the Psalmist has said, \" Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I when my heart is overwhelmed. \"
CHERYL B 05/12/2012 02:02:54
Thank you! Totally needed that encouragement. So neat when God uses others to help you along the way.
TABITHA J 05/12/2012 12:58:18
I like the idea of having chores being counted as home economics because it will teach the kids responsiblity.
TINA W 05/12/2012 18:21:28
Thank you for your thoughts. God, always knows what I need and just when I need it.
KATHY S 05/12/2012 21:23:06
Ever hear that song by Kelly Price entitled \"Tired\"?
That is just where I am at right now. (seems like a few others are as well).
Thank you for this devotional, it was very inspirational!
Also, thanks to all the other bhomeschool Mom\'s who write in and share their experiences, it\'s theraputic.
Philippa Mann 05/13/2015 13:27:09
Hi Suzanne M in the UK.
Would be great to hear from you. I am also in the UK, in Deal Kent. mannforallseason@aol.com