Welcome to Our Joy in the Morning Christian Motherhood Course

Course Sample for Our Joy in the Morning Christian Motherhood Course

Suddenly Homeschooling

I was not going to be one of “those” moms… those homeschooling moms. Me?! No, I had “real” ministry work to do. Homeschooling was not in my five year plan. I had considered it when my oldest was a baby. By the time she was three, insecurities had submerged the thought into a once-upon-atime fantasy. Six years went by, and I had developed a passion to encourage others with God’s word and gained significant positions in ministry.

In May 2012, I was praying and fasting for additional ministry opportunities. I heard God say, “Go and make disciples!” I was overjoyed. Then my bubble burst when I heard, “But first, start in your home.” Ugh. I knew instantly this meant homeschooling. Not what I had planned. Those suppressed insecurities arose. “God, I am not a morning person. I lack self-discipline. I am not pulled together all the time. How can I homeschool?”

God asks us for our obedience in faith, even when we do not fully understand the reasons He tells us to do something. If my desire is to encourage others with the Bible, I must first live it authentically.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
      and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
      and he will make your paths straight.

So, I made a 180 degree turn. First, I quit the job I loved. I had been working for a domestic and sexual violence shelter as an Advocate. My job was to encourage women as they found the courage to face their abusers. I also quit the ministry role I was in at the time. I was on the ground floor of developing a recovery program in our community. I even quit my old pen name that I had used for 7 years. It was a hard process. I fought each phase of letting go. But, honestly, there is no role more satisfying than the peace obedience brings!

By August, I had withdrawn my oldest from school and began teaching all three of my girls at the dining room table. I can confidently say I have not regretted my choice. However, I haven’t eaten rainbows and pooped butterflies every day. Actually, I haven’t indulged in that delicacy since the first day of school, when *BAM* reality hit. For instance, during our first year of homeschooling we unexpectedly moved TWICE—yes! We lived in 3 different residences during our first year of school. Plus the mayhem that comes with new curriculum and the chaos in creating routines, I was living on the edge—not in a cool way.

I would often mutter my own rendition of Philippians 1:6 to keep from losing my mind. “God, you started this mess, You will carry it to completion—I’m confident of that!”

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 NIV

Reflection:

In what area do you need to trust God?

What are some small steps you can take trust Him in that area?