Reaping the Reward

"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD" (Psalm 27:14).

Homeschooling doesn't always produce immediate rewards. Sometimes, many years go by before the fruitfulness of your faithfulness is revealed. Hours will be spent in loving and patient academic instruction of your children, as well as hours in training in righteousness, before the benefits of homeschooling are seen. Personal spiritual battles will be fought against doubt, fear, and discouragement when they cause you to think, "This homeschool thing is just a waste of time." Most of all, God's promises will also need to be claimed as you base your homeschooling on the truth of the Bible. Like all worthwhile endeavors, homeschooling will yield its fruit in due season if you are willing to wait on God's timetable instead of your own.

Certainly, the life of Joseph in the Old Testament is one example we can set before us when homeschooling seems to be in its darkest hours. Although this young man started out as his father's favorite, his life quickly changed when jealousy got the best of his brothers. They threw Joseph into a pit and sold him as a slave. While in Egypt, Joseph continued to patiently live his life according to God's Word, even though he had to face false accusations and loneliness. However, many years later, Joseph finally experienced the rewards for maintaining the right heart and attitude toward God and his brothers.

If you are in your first few years of homeschooling, don't despair and give up hope. Even though the bumps and bruises seem like too much, you will see the benefits of godly children who actually enjoy learning. In addition, your personal walk with the Lord will be rooted and strengthened as you learn to trust in God's abilities and not your own. Homeschooling works! Just keep trusting in God's Word when He says, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9).

Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing me with the task of teaching my children. Although some days seem difficult, I choose this day to keep my eyes on You. Please, encourage me today and help me to remain faithful until I see the homeschooling blessings You have promised. In Jesus' name, Amen.