Is quitting an option?

This homeschooling mom and wife thing is hard.  I mean really stinkin' hard.  Tantrums, bad attitudes, and needy people can make for a frustrating and exhausting day (...sometimes I am the one guilty of these).   But should I just give in and quit?  

If you are like me, God has called you to this life of being a wife and a homeschooling mom and it is a blessed responsibility.

I never imagined myself here.  I was a professional medical provider, a business owner, but I was also crazy consumed by my career.  God changed that a little over 2 years into my motherhood.  

Thinking about where I was and where I am now gives me clarity and realization to the importance of my current responsibilities.

There are times when I get so frustrated with the events of the day I briefly convince myself that I am crazy to be homeschooling and that the alternative must be a better option.  But I don't believe that is God's will for me.  And as a follower of Jesus, I remember that my hope and strength does not come from within myself.  My hope and strength comes from the One who shed His blood on the cross for me.  I am not in this homeschooling journey alone.

Most of the time the reason for all the frustration and chaos is because I am trying to do too much.  I get consumed by all the "things" to get done and miss time with God.  I overcommit our schedules and convince myself I can juggle it all well.  But it just isn't possible and the ever important priority of spending time with Jesus falls to the way side or gets drastically shortened.  In the chaos I can also lose sight of my purpose for homeschooling.

Our children need us to be their cheerleaders and coaches.  When one of my boys has a bad attitude or throws a tantrum, it can be easy for me to get annoyed and want to just walk away to avoid the tough stuff.  Sometimes we may need to walk away for a moment or two to take a breath, but ultimately we need to return and press into the tough stuff.   We need to get down on their level, hear what they have to say, console and sympathize with them.  We need to draw out their strengths and encourage them.  We need to guide them the best we can.

We also need to be praying for them and to stay connected with other homeschooling moms.  We must remind ourselves that many of our struggles our not of this world.

 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  -Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

Don't give up.  Don't let the devil win.  Your children's hearts and souls are way too valuable to let your enemy win.  You and I can do this.  We can fight the good fight and be the victor.  And our children and husbands will be victors as well.

God is so pleased with us when we lay down our lives.  When we sacrifice for His Kingdom.  

If you are a homeschooling mom and are feeling down today, please know you are not the only one who experiences this.  But you don't need to stay in this mindset. 

Remember who you are in Christ.  You are redeemed and loved.  You are a royal priesthood.  He sees you and knows your flaws, but loves you with an everlasting love.  

Keep pouring truth into your kiddos.  Continue to love them with everything you have because it is worth it.  Especially when they have bad attitudes...hold them accountable to their actions in a biblical way, but love and model respect to them.  Don't take their immature attitudes personally.  Show them emotional maturity and unconditional love.  They need you and your husband to show them the way.

As I have been reminded many times, the training up of a child thing is not a sprint, but a marathon.  Run the race well.  You have what it takes when you rely on the Almighty One!

God Bless you and keep you today!  May he make His face shine upon you.  He loves you dearly.

Check out this awesome and uplifting song by Tenth Avenue North, click here.