Have you ever felt as if you just can't keep up? Well, I do have to admit that I'm feeling that way right now. I'm sure you've noticed (at least I hope that you have!) that I've missed a week here and there writing for this column. It seems like the weeks of summer have just flown by and that with each passing day there is the cry of the urgent instead of the lazy days of summer I dreamed about last winter when there was snow all over the ground! I know that we are supposed to prioritize but sometimes crisis and situations arise and everything seems to be a priority. Have you ever felt that way? As the start of teaching creeps closer and closer, I get this tightness in my throat as I realize that I'm just not ready for school to start and I need some more time! Time to just be quiet! Yes......it's true! I already have two sons who have graduated and have gone on to "launch" successfully into their own callings. That should be a comfort to me as I start this year. Yet, I still have some of the same feelings that I used to have during the first few years of homeschooling. I guess it is true that "life" is always "life" no matter how "seasoned" we think we are. So, what do we do or rather, what SHOULD we do when life seems to run away from us and sometimes run away WITH us! I guess I'm writing to myself this week....but I'll let you in on my plan on how to "keep on - keepin' on"....... I'm going to go to bed each night focused on God.....I'm going to bring HIM my concerns and my worries. I'm going to ask HIM for wisdom to determine what is MOST important for me to accomplish the next day...and then, I'm going to ask HIM to give me the flexibility to bend if needed. In other words, I'm going to take one step at a time and continue in the direction and on the path that God has place me on. Homeschooling through High School is just one of the things that He has placed on my path......It is a very important thing...but it is just one of the things. As I deal with time management, prioritizing, life challenges, crisis, family health issues, and much more, guess who my highschooler is watching and learning from: ME! So amidst preparing for homeschooling and all the other "priorities" that are on my list, I need to continue to be faithful in the little things, like TRUSTING in the one who holds my future and my life in the palm of HIS hand and demonstrating that to my observant highschooler.

Faith and Courage, Lori Lane

Lori is married to the love of her life John and together they have four sons ranging in age from 22 down to 10. She is the author of “Beginning With The End In Mind”, a frequent speaker on home education, family and the arts, as well as serving as the Executive Director of Artios Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts Fine Arts. You can see some of the pictures of their home in the central Colorado Rockies by visiting Lori’s website at www.theendinmind.net where you will receive encouragement for the journey. You can also listen to Lori's podcasts by visiting www.blogtalkradio.com/theendinmind