The Real Deal

"Brethren, pray for us" (1 Thessalonians 5:25).

Seated with my children in the living room, we had just begun our homeschooling day with devotions. The morning had been hectic like usual, and I wasn't in the best of moods. No matter how hard I tried, the starting time for school seemed to be getting later each day. Feeling incompetent as a teacher and trying to make up for lost time, I quickly asked my children, "Is there anything we need to pray about?" Several needs were expressed by each of my young children, which I hurriedly wrote down. However, as I started to pray, my son interrupted and asked, "Mom, what about you? Is there something you need prayer for today?"

As usual, his little emotional monitors had seen right through me and perceived my anxiousness and lack of sincerity. Nobody has time for a fake, especially children. Now was the time to admit the truth about what I was really feeling. "Yes, honey," I answered. "I need God to help me slow down and enjoy the day with you."

Exposing our hearts can be a struggle. Homeschooling parents think they have to be spiritually strong for the family, and they forget that sometimes the best prayer warriors in the family can be their own children. Although we must be careful to share appropriate prayer requests with younger children, their simple, trusting prayers might be the ones that encourage and bless us the most.

Living behind perfectly painted smiles and "I'm fine" responses isolates us from the love of others, including our children. Don't deny them the privilege of interceding in prayer for your needs. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous 'child' availeth much" (James 5:16).

Heavenly Father, I humbly come before You and thank You again for giving me such wonderful children. I truly am blessed to be loved by them and You. Help me to appropriately share my weaknesses and find strength today from their caring prayers. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Comments(6 comments)

KELLY S 11/28/2008 13:01:27

Wow, what a lesson!

I have homeschooled my son since kindergarten and we are set to graduate in 2009 with an advanced studies diploma.

I stressed the starting and ending time every school day, and much, much more. It took me a while to learn this, but if what is most important to us is the having a rigid schedule of starting and stopping, we make us miserable and by default our child or children just as miserable.

Please relax and enjoy the process, it goes by so fast and then they are grown and gone. Make memories of a fun and productive learning experience.

Wishing God's Continue Blessings,

KIM H 11/28/2011 06:16:19

Thank you! This was an excellent reminder.

KELLY C 11/28/2011 08:18:52

Wow! Did I need this lesson today! I pray that I can begin to enjoy the moments, the wonder, the process. I pray for the humility to admit to myself, my children, hmy husband and my friends that everything is not OK all the time. I pray for God's continued blessings and guidance so that our journey in homeschooling is a joyful one. I pray that love of God and love of learning are the first fruits of my teaching. I pray.

BEATRICE R 11/28/2011 10:56:47

This is for Kelly S, you mentioned advanced studies, what homeschool program did you use? Thanks!

CANDACE M 11/28/2012 07:34:34

OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES!! This is so true about starting at a certain time. It seems to generate a spirit of frustration and an over \" exaggerated\" expectation. It camed to me, that set schedules have there places in public and private schools due to the accountability they have with other parents children. Sometimes as homeschooling moms we have needed set schedules for school, chores etc. Being a 1st generation homeschool parent, I subconsciously tried to mimic public and private school schedules because that\'s all I knew. I was not comfortable learning in a less structured environment. Over the years I learned that God wanted me to trust Him and let His spirit start and guide our day. It is amazing where we end up!

MELISSA R 11/28/2012 10:37:00

My husband thinks it\'s funny that I have a daily schedule made up for every day of our school year. I check off the things that we accomplish each day. I have to remind him that our schedule is not set in stone, it is more of a reminder of things that we need to do...but if we don\'t get to do Social Studies or Science or whatever that day it\'s not a big deal. It is good to be prepared, we just need to remember to be flexible because God may have other plans for us that day! Great lesson in the devotional today!

Your sister in Christ,

Melissa


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