As much as I hate to admit it to my inner, faux-free-bird side, I like a schedule. I like for life to play by the rules and for things to go as planned. So when change happens, it takes me a little while to adjust. Like now.
My kids are out of school for the summer. Er. Well. I guess out of school…indefinitely since we’ve embarked on the very scary homeschool journey. And with this uninvited life change, I have had to emotionally adjust.
A lot.
But when my emotions take me down that path of “longing for the old,” which in turn too-quickly brings on a pity party, I do the only thing I know to do. The only thing that has proven to turn my heart around. I preach truth to myself.*
God, You are good!
Your plans are good!
And since You have led us here,
I know it is for the good of our family and for Your glory.
So please give me Your vision.
I want to see from Your perspective.
And give me wisdom to know what steps to take next.
Change will come in this life. It’s the one constant. Sometimes the change is devastatingly unwanted. Other times it’s just inconvenient. But either way, our emotions will rise up and take a stand.
But often our emotions don’t see things from God’s perspective. That’s when we can start preaching truth. Because He is good. He is love. And nothing catches Him off-guard. Nothing can touch the life of His child apart from His sovereign allowance.
Preach it, friend.
Fill me, Lord…
Are you facing some life change? What truths do you preach to yourself when change happens?
*Truths taken from various verses including 3 John 1:11, Ephesians 2:10, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 19:21, James 1:5.
Love how you note that “but often our emotions don’t see things from God’s perspective”. I am sooo guilty of allowing my own feelings to get in the way of tasting and seeing that the Lord is good. Loved these scripture reminders of where our minds should dwell!
I’m just as guilty, Christie. Praying we bring our thoughts captive today, friend.
Thank you for this very timely post! I loved my home school years, and everything that went with them. I was good at creating our own curriculum from years of looking through homeschool catalogs and figuring out what was interesting and do-able. I grew gardens with my kids in mind, decorated the house with my kids in mind, made costumes for afternoon pretend…My theatre background and love of language, history, beauty, and pretend made it a delightful season. My oldest is now a sophomore in college. My youngest is an all-too capable 45- I mean 12 year old who selects meals to cook and projects to make from Pinterest. My 16 year old is involved in sports and service organizations. They are in school. They are, I am afraid, not interested in the things I do best. There is simply no need for the knowledge and all the wonderful things I have accumulated over the years. They are not interested in the gardens, or theatre, or costumes. I had thought perhaps I would tutor children. That does not seem to be the path. It is time for me to “transition.” No, I do not want to teach school! Being a classroom teacher was the reason I chose to homeschool my own children.
I have been very sad over this vast open desert that stretches out before me. I have chronic health problems, and cannot travel easily. We live in a region in which I am an outsider. I do not have any idea what I will do with myself here. I desperately needed your reminder that God has a plan, and it is Good! I will meditate not on my loss, but on the scriptures you have provided.
God bless you as you begin your Adventurous Ride of Homeschool life with your children! Please remember that all homeschool moms have one day when they think they are failing miserably, followed by a day when they are on top of the world–exactly like public and private school teachers have! And there is one particular style for your family which will look nothing like any other home school family, because their needs, strengths, and personalities are different from yours. Don’t be afraid to toss a book in the trash after 2 months because it just doesn’t work. There is a Lot of homeschool garbage out there, because it is quite a money-making market, with new, wide-eyed buyers popping up every year. There are some truly excellent curriculum and tried and true catalogs which you can mix and match with a little help from a calm, old-hand home schooler who is not home-schooling out of fear but from love. It can be so very delightful. Be easy on yourself! You wouldn’t believe how much time is wasted in the classroom!
Thank you for that sweet encouragement. I may print out that last paragraph of your comment and tuck it away for when we have one of “those” days. 😉
And I pray that God would faithfully minister hope to your spirit as you meditate on His truth. I’m sorry for what seems to be desert land ahead of you. Those can be difficult seasons (though not purposeless). He does have good things, sister. Though quite possibly not good as our world or even our heart defines. Walking beside you in faith.