I Almost Played Hookey From Homeschooling

Today’s guest is Rebekah.

When my husband and I welcomed our first child, I was thrilled at the thought of one day teaching him at home, just as my husband and I had been. When that day came he was such an eager little student. It was so much fun to see his eyes light up as he sounded out his first words, solved his first math problem and wrote his name all by himself! I couldn’t get enough of crafts, ABC’s and 1, 2, 3’s. I loved that I could give him the gift of learning, right from our own home.

But as our family of three has grown into a family of seven (ages: 9, 7, 4, 3 and 1) my excitement for homeschooling started to dim as my responsibilities grew also. Along with all the joys of raising a large family there is much to do to keep them all alive! Throw in homeschooling and you have the perfect storm of borderline insanity!

When summer is nearing an end and the school year is looming before me, fear and dread start to overtake me as I wonder how I am not only going to feed and clothe my children; but teach them as well. Teaching one child is one thing, but teaching multiple children at home takes it to a whole new level.

I have to admit that I still get partially excited. Buying fresh school supplies, organizing the school room, lesson planning, thinking about all the fun projects we will do and field trips we will take, always bring a little flutter of excitement to my heart. I may have everything planned out in my mind how its all going to work, but what I often forget to factor in is my children and I’s sin nature’s…which tend to clash. I find myself baffled that these precious little ones that God has entrusted to me; have the gift of revealing not only the best in me but the worst as well.

The first few weeks of this school year were very eyeopening. Fighting with my kids and with my flesh was wearing me out. I just wanted to give up. I didn’t want this huge responsibility any more. Many times I sulked and cried to God and my husband that I couldn’t do this anymore. It was just too hard! Through this difficult time, God began to speak to me. He told me that my life was not my own. Shocking… I know! Behind all the excuses and complaints of why I couldn’t do this; I knew this is what he had called my husband and I to do for our children’s education.

Nothing that involves dying to self is ever going to be easy or comfortable, but the rewards will always be great! When I get uncomfortable, I immediately want to get out of the situation that is causing me discomfort; and boy did I want to play hooky from homeschooling! But God in is his grace and mercy caught me in his loving arms, looked me in the eyes and told me that he would give me the strength to do what I couldn’t!

Now into our fifth year, I am so thankful I stuck it out. We are still working a lot of the kinks out but as I teach my children from God’s word, solve math problems while shopping, am surrounded with bursts of laughter as we write silly stories, explore our world on nature walks, read about the people who have paved the way before us and everything in between; I know that not only are my children learning valuable life lessons, but I am as well.

As we have fallen into a (very flexible) routine, each day flows a little smoother as we find our rhythm. It’s not perfect by any means, we still have some hard days; but somehow it all works because God is leading us every step of the way. The things that once filled me with fear and anxiety now bring me joy and gratitude.

If God has called you on this home school journey as well, no doubt there will be many days when you feel like giving up. Don’t! It won’t always be easy but it will always be worth it. When you come to the day where you and your children find yourself loving home schooling; it will be all the more sweeter because of the sacrifices you have made to get there.

Rebekah is living out her dreams as a wife to her amazing husband Josh and mama to five busy, beautiful little ones. In her”free time”she enjoys running,making natural body products,thrifting and spending time with family and friends. But first and foremost she seeks know Jesus more and make him known. She loves to encourage and connect with other mamas as she shares her journey of making the most with what God gives, on her blog Faithful With the Little.