Drops In The Ocean

Persistence: A Prayer For Home School Moms

 

Heart of pearls (Photo credit: TheCleopatra)

"Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart."  Luke 18:1

    Not losing heart is not quitting, otherwise known as persevering.  If we are persistent in prayer, what does this show?  It is evidence of faith and the practice of our faith.  Apparently, there will be times we will lose heart or Jesus would not have needed to make a point of this.  Would any stay-at-home mom who home schools doubt this?  I am painfully aware of the many times I lose heart.

    When one child can't find their math book and another disappeared to the bathroom while the baby blew out their third diaper and you're wondering why you thought homeschooling was a good idea - persevere in prayer.  When you are questioning if you should nix the Greek root word memorization because you've not been close to the book in three weeks - keep praying.  When your days turn topsy-turvy because your car died and now you need to load everyone up to take your husband to work and pick him up for a week - pray with your eyes open.

    Persevering in prayer allows God to change your heart.  It also keeps you from attempting to manipulate Him (which you can't do anyway) by praying only when you feel like it.  Prayer is too important and too special to be lackadaisical about it. 

Dear Father,

Thank you for telling us how to pray.  Forgive me for treating prayer as if it doesn't matter much.  Forgive me for using prayer for selfish reasons.  Cleanse my motives.  Whether I hear Your voice or feel Your touch today, I pray to honor You in my words and actions.  Thank you for hearing me.  Amen.

Final Thought:  Pray, don't quit.  That's faith.

SAHMs and Homeschoolers: A Prayer About Time

 

Clock in Kings Cross railway station (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"give and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."  Luke 6:38

     When you're a stay-at-home mom, it can seem as if all you do is give.  Add homeschooling to that and now you're the educator, gym coach, librarian, record keeper, counselor - often within the same day, sometimes at the same time.  It's so easy to begrudge your time and energy, and your chocolate bar. 

    Yet, in opening our hands, we are opening ourselves to receive.  One example of this is often on my mind.  When the kids were little, they wanted to "help" me in the kitchen.  It was a sacrifice of my time, of course.  It took extra to demonstrate what they could do and watch while they made mistakes (and usually a mess).

     Eventually, though, what the kids can do in the kitchen was not just a real help, but today is a timesaver.  Frankly, some days it's a lifesaver!  I can ask any one of my kids (ages 11-16) to begin a recipe, chop the fruit, watch a pot of rice, or even make the whole meal.  And, they do it cheerfully.   All the time invested in the messes, the teaching, the practice, the supervising, has paid dividends now.  I didn't understand that giving time to my young kids meant that I could receive both then (in memory-making) and later (in trust and skill that serves the family). 

Dear Father,

I confess that even as a SAHM, I find it hard to give my time away.  Yet, You say that what we give will come back to us and then some.  Thank you for reminding me.  Please fill me that I might overflow with willingness and patience to give my time - any time and all the time - to my family as needed, not as wanted.  Amen.  So be it. 

Final Thought:  Giving is only hard when your hand is closed.

Prayer to Combat Worry for the SAHM

"For those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."  Isaiah 40:31

Bald Eagle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    Instant messaging, instant oatmeal - who wants to wait anymore?  A lot could be said about the need for waiting, but let's go with what does being willing to wait and waiting show?   

• Belief that God is aware of what is happening for you and big enough to handle your problem. 
• Hope that God is working whether you see it or not. 
• Trust that God's plans may not be mine, but are the preferred plans.

    God chose Mary to carry His Son.  He knew what women's lives are like in the home and what her life would be with children.  He knows yours as well.Pray about exactly what is the issue, tell Him your feelings, give the situation over to Him, then stop fretting.  God is big enough, smart enough, active enough.  No second-guessing here. 

Dear Father,

I know You are sovereign, omnipotent, and bigger than I can fathom.  But, my vision feels small and I can't see around this problem.  I relinquish my need for an answer right now.  May this be solved in Your time.  Forgive me for letting myself believe that You aren't up to the task.  Amen.  So be it. 

Final Thought:  Waiting is simply choosing God's best.

Real Prayer for Homeschoolers

"When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words."  Matthew 6:7

Tug-o-war (Photo credit: Thrice 18/3)

 

      Often my prayers seem to fall from my lips to the floor with a thud.  One reason this may happen is unconfessed sin, but a second reason can be the words I'm using to talk to God.  I find it so frustrating to repeat, "Lord, please be with so and so" or "Help me with my day."  What does that mean?  Why is it meaningful?

    Is this the way you talk to a close friend?  Of course not.  You don't ask "How are you?"  You say, "What did you find out?  How did it go?  What did Johnny say when you told him?"  You are naturally much more specific.

    Andrew Murray, a former missionary to South Africa and a noted teacher on prayer, wrote "The more pointed and definite my prayer can be, the better."  What can this look like for a homeschooler?  Here are a few possibilities:

• "I'm tired and I have a lot to do today.  Please give me extra strength, so I can do what needs to be done cheerfully."
• "I don't like geography, but JJ does.  Change my feelings, so that I don't put a damper on his enthusiasm."
• "I need to know if I should push CJ in math, or back off for now."
• "I don't have a clue which writing curriculum to buy.  What should I do?"
• "TJ isn't reading.  Show me what's wrong and what I need to do to help him."

Dear Father,

    Thank you that I don't need to impress You with my prayers.  Thank you that You value my efforts to be real.  Help me be direct and clear about everything we need to discuss.  Amen.

Final Thought:  Talk to God as if He's a close friend, and He will be.    

 

Sunday Rest: Learn To Say "It's Enough"

Sleeping Kitten Colour (Photo credit: multi.phrenic)

 "...and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

    One of the hardest lessons I've learned as a stay-at-home mom and a homeschooler is when to say "It's enough."  When I was first married, I thought the house had to be spotless in order to have company.  Let's just say being home with kids all day is not conducive to a spotless house.

    I had to learn to let go.  It's been difficult for this perfectionist-from-birth, but the benefits to my sanity and other things I would miss (like the kids) have been worth the effort.

    Jesus' words remind us that true rest comes from Him, not from getting  a certain amount done. 

Dear Father,

    Teach me to say "It's enough."   Help me be an example to my kids of using my drive to create and manage our home, but stopping before it places the tasks above them or honoring You.  Forgive me when I pushed to complete something and trampled them in the process.  I want to do better, Lord.  Thank You for the rest You offer me today.  I accept.  Amen. 

Final Thought:  Say "It's enough," then simply stop.  Rest is what follows.

 

 

 

Staying At Home To Home School: It's All About Trust

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart..."  Proverbs 3:5

Owned Cat-dog (Photo credit: Sephiroty Fiesta)

 

    What does trust with our whole heart mean for stay-at-home moms who home school?  First, I recognize my need to trust God.  This is easy.  I cannot, no matter how hard I try (and I've tried very hard) accomplish the homeschooling on my own.  I'm so inadequate.  I know this.  It's brought to my attention many times in every day.  What other job requires you to be responsible for the spiritual, emotional, academic, and physical needs of individuals with all their idiosyncracies without pay, committees, secretaries, structure, and other support?

    Leaving my trust with God is more difficult.  A thousand times a day, I snatch it back, complaining that He's not holding it right, it's taking too long, it's too hard, He doesn't understand.  Just when I'm crying about how I can't be a loving wife, a cheerful mom, and a productive homeschooler, God answers with "I've been waiting for you to admit that.  Now, let Me do it."   

Dear Father,

    Forgive me for not trusting You to work through me to do what You've called me to do.  I'm sorry I begin by trying to do things myself first, only bringing them to You once I hit a wall.  Thank you that my inadequacy brings to light Your adequacy for every area in my home and home school.  Take over my whole heart, Lord.  I give it to You.  Amen.

Final Thought:  Trust is a decision first, then a feeling.  Act on the decision.

 

 

Prayer About Laziness

"Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor."  Proverbs 12:24

Elephant in the room, part deux. (Photo credit: Cody Simms)

    Laziness is defined in my dictionary as resistant to work or exertion; disposed to idleness.  I think lazines is the elephant in the room that I don't want to talk about.  I would bristle if anyone suggested that I, a stay-at-home-mom and homeschooler, might be guilty of it.  The truth is, though, that I am guilty of it, and many times.   

    This is how I define laziness: When I pick up a paperback instead of folding clothes two days in a row, or when I turn the TV on instead of starting supper which results in a less-than-healthy meal, or when I put off checking math with my youngest, because I don't enjoy it.  The delay makes it harder for him to keep the new concepts in his head. 

    In other words, laziness is not necessary rest or reading to relax, but ignoring or delaying tasks that must be done and by not doing them creating negative consequences.  Procrastination is probably the precursor to laziness, but let's not talk about procrastination yet...   

Dear Father,

    I want our home school to be pleasing to You, and I know that unconfessed sin is a wall between us.  I open my heart and mind to You.  Forgive me for the laziness You find there.  Help me discern which of my attitudes and actions or lack of action is founded in this sin.  Help me confess it.  When I see it in my kids, I ask for tact and love in helping them see it themselves.  Thank you,   Lord, for cleansing every dank corner of my life.  Thank you.  Amen. 

Final Thought:  It's hard to move around in a room full of elephants.  Get rid of them.

Prayer Strategy For SAHMS On Busy Days

For Sale Sign - Panama (Photo credit: thinkpanama)

"The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps." Proverbs 16:9

 As we head into the month of December, our calendar gets filled up with deadlines, rehearsals, extra projects, and the need for fast (yet healthy!) suppers.  Deciding that we needed to add to our already-full days by moving, we now can add extra cleaning, house projects, and meetings with a realtor.  Genius.

    I know what will happen.  I will hunker down and plow through with the grace of a brigadier general, and wind up exhausted by the end and stricken with remorse over my attitudes and actions.  Yes, much will have been accomplished, but at the price of peace, cheerfulness, gratitude, and even kindness.

    I want things to be different, so I know I need to respond differently.  I want to lean into God, relying on His promises that He will give me strength for the doing, a clean heart that creates a right attitude for the doing, and confidence that He can meet every need.  How?  Every time we move to the next item to do or place to be or meal to cook, I will pray.  Literally.

Dear God,

I ask You to direct my steps right now.  Thank you for this (project, program, meal).  Please give us the strength and mental clarity to do it in the time we have and to give it our all.  Thank you.  Amen.  So be it.

Final Thought:  Every day is a gift to do things differently.

Strength For Each Writing Assignment: Manna From Heaven

filedesc http://www.epa.gov/win/winnews/images05/0510keyboard.gif (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"...and as your days, so is your strength."  Deuteronomy 33:25

    I spent the afternoon helping my sixth-grade son write an essay.... I can think of other things I would rather do.  I'm sure he could, too.  However, we pushed on and through and finished a rough (rough!) draft of more than 700 words. 

    Writing is one of those things we wish we could do better, yet put off actually taking pencil in hand or putting fingers to the keyboard.  But, the old advice is true - a writer writes.  It's the only way for anyone, including my 11 year-old, to understand what writing is. 

    But, wow, how the minutes seemed to drag.  So many times, I wanted to give him the words instead of waiting for him to work it out.  I was wrung out by the time we finished.  And that was just one of the tasks for today.  (Who thought it was a good idea to put our house up for sale a month before Christmas??)

Dear Father,

Thank you for giving us the strength we need, as we need it, to accomplish what felt impossible.  As some Egyptians did with the manna from heaven, forgive me for wanting to hoard the strength You provide.  Forgive me for worrying if there will be enough for tomorrow.  I claim Your strength for today knowing that I can do the same again.  Thank you.  Amen.

Waiting For Growth

"...first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head."  Mark 4:28

We recognize growth in our infants.  First, they nurse, then gum mashed potatoes, move on to soft carrots, and finally, (Finally!) get teeth and chew solid food.  We understand that teething is a process and usually takes a while.  We don't blame the child for not getting his teeth faster, as frustrated as we may be with messy diapers, crankiness, and lost sleep. 

Yet, today I lost patience with my son for not "getting" the math concept.  Why can't I remember that math and grammar and reasoning are all processes of growth just as much as teething?  How does it help to get frustrated?  Especially when I can see that he is trying?  Perhaps this is a process for myself as well.

English: Corn (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dear God,

You have placed growth in a sequence.  Forgive me for trying to skip steps or hurry my kids along.  Only You know what they will become and produce along the way.  I don't want to mess up the process by running ahead with my own agenda.  Help me to wait for You to work.  Help me to allow them time to grow, even if I can't see it happening.  Thank you.  Amen.

Final thought:  Just like corn, growth will show up eventually.  Have faith.  Wait.