You’ve heard the old saying, "Tough times don’t last, but tough people do." I was thinking, today, about how tough life can get, how fiercely the storms can rage, and the differences between those who stand strong in the storms and those who falter. This is a big issue among homeschoolers. I know this because I’m active on multiple lists and it’s not at all uncommon to see a new homeschooler asking how to keep their kids up to speed academically (meaning at the same level as their local public school) just in case something really bad happens and they have to give up homeschooling.

Here’s the deal. No matter how much we all hate to admit it, the Bible clearly tells us in many different ways that trying times will come. For most of us, there will be many "something bads" that will happen that could cause us to give up - to give up homeschooling, to give up our dreams, to give up whatever. The key is to prepare for those times before they happen, to strengthen your position so that you can stand tall, refusing to give up, no matter what.

Through the years, as people have learned some of the things my family has faced,  I’ve been asked many times, "How did you keep on?" I answer in various ways depending on the question, but the foundational key is that for years I’ve constantly worked on keeping my priorities in order. Were there ever times that got exceptionally bad, when we truly could have been tempted to give up? Yes, a handful, and every one of those times was a result of our own actions - of letting our priorities get out of order. So what are those priorities?

God, Spouse, Children, Church, Academics/Job/Family Business

It really is that simple, if a little hard for people in our society to believe. When we keep our priorities in the right order, in biblical order, we can stand through any storm. That’s not to say we won’t feel the wind and the waves, but they’ll not overcome us.

This is a topic I can go on and on about, because I’ve learned a lot not only through living life and watching others live their lives, but through studying the Scriptures for myself. In truth, I have "gone on and on" after a fashion. I’ve given workshops to homeschoolers on this very topic, and written an ebook about it as well. Technically, they’re written to the homeschool community, simply because it is my largest audience, but any Christian who wants to know more would benefit from listening to the workshops or reading the ebook. All three are available from CJ Press, my publishing company.

The two audios, though they have different titles, are really more like two parts of one message.

Cherry Pie: Recipe for a Successful Christian Homeschool

Homeschooling Through Hard Times

And the ebook…

A Homeschool that Handles the Hard Times: A Guide for Christian Homeschoolers

I promise you, Child of God,  if you keep your priorities in order you will find yourself better prepared to handle all of those "experiences" that life throws at you.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C