Packing Light
Posted in Daily Focus on Friday, February 21, 2014
"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33).
"OK, I think we are just about ready to go," I said to my husband as I set the last backpack and the lunch cooler by the front door.
Looking at all the items that needed to be loaded into the car, he shook his head and said, "Do we really need all this stuff just to go on a field trip for the day?"
"Yes," I replied. "The children need to work on their schoolwork in the car, and you never know what we might need once we get there. This way we will be prepared for whatever comes along."
Reluctantly, he carried each of the items to the car, even though he knew they would probably be carried back into the house without being used.
The early disciples of Christ were much better at traveling than I am. They packed nothing as they went out two by two preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. Leaving the comforts of home behind, Jesus specifically told them, "Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes" (Luke 10:4a). Freed from the weight of personal baggage, they came and went quickly as they preached and healed others in the name of Jesus. Their ministry was much more effective without the burden of lugging stuff around, and they discovered a total reliance on the Lord for everything they needed.
As homeschoolers, we can carry extra baggage that weighs down our homeschooling efforts. Instead of trusting the Lord for what we need to teach our children, we compare ourselves to other homeschooling families. We see what they are doing, and we complicate our lives by adding their activities and events to our day, robbing ourselves of simple homeschooling joys. Although these activities may be good in themselves, we risk losing the spontaneity in teaching our children because we are locked into a full schedule. Why not leave the suitcases in the closet and rediscover your freedom in homeschooling?
Lord, forgive me for placing such a burden on my children and me with all our activities. Help us to prayerfully consider all that we do as we homeschool, so we don't lose the joy in the homeschooling journey. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments(6 comments)
REBEKAH P 02/21/2010 07:17:13
Wow-this is so true! I think I've got it all together & I'm fine with it. Then I see another homeschooling family & they're doing it ALL...the books, the classes, the projects & I'm thinking...well I guess I've got some work to do. Your article really helped put things into perspective. We are doing what works for our family & our kids are learning & we are open to having a little fun in the meantime without being weighed down. Thanks so much for sharing this!
LAURA L 02/21/2012 04:08:34
Thanks, God!!! This is the answer to my last night prayer for guidance!!!
KATHY S 02/21/2012 09:06:50
Thank you so much ! I have been \"packing light\" so to speak, and wondering if I was doing this right. My son is happy with his homeschooling,
but I often wondered \"am I doing enough?\"
I don\'t really have much to compare to, so, I guess this devotional was my answer.
God Bless !
SANDY W 02/21/2012 09:37:47
This is an answer to my prayers also. We homeschool both our children. One in a charter public online school and one with Monarch. These comments have helped me make a big decision on regarding the charter school. Will be changing to Monarch next year. Our reasons for homeschooling in the first place was to be more free with our time. This has not happened with the charter school. Very strict and time consumming. Thank you so much for your devotionals. They seem to always have something I need at the moment.
LYNN S 02/21/2012 12:17:00
I agree, Great topic and a much needed reminder. Jesus advised us to do all that we do as unto him. I focus on that continually. Due to that mindset our family is focused on what works for us as a family. We like to keep it simple and enjoy the blessings we recieve daily. I believe Jesus knows better then anyone these girls and he will lead us anew each day.
We should never compare our life or choices to others anyway.
May God bless you richly today and everyday!
DEREK O 02/22/2012 07:22:31
Thank you so much for this one. I get funny looks and criticism for not joining the homeschooling groups and this confirmed my feelings for not loading up our weekly schedule. My kids get socialization but we don\'t have to run ourselves ragged doing it. Thank you.