Life is so big and so varied.  Sometimes the homeschooling experience seems a little overwhelming to me as I struggle to educate and inform my children about this big, big world we live in and the role that they play in it.

There are the BIGGIES: spiritual life, character development, values, devotional life, Bible knowledge and life application, etc.

Then there are the 3 R's: readin', 'riting, and 'rithmetic, the basic foundations of any education.

Then, of course, there's important stuff to learn about the world: science, geography, history, social studies, astronomy, geology, biology, chemistry, nature studies, animal studies, and all that.

And, there are basic life skills, like how to deal with conflict, how to manage money, cooking, cleaning, shopping wisely, and countless more.

Of course, I haven't even mentioned any of the arts, and they are important too: art appreciation, painting, drawing, sculpture, architecture, music, photography, cinema, theatre, drama, poetry, literature, and all the other beauty in our world.

Sometimes, it seems like there are about a zillion things I want to teach my children and I wonder how in the world am I ever going to squeeze it all in?  And how do I find the balance?

I'm a planner and an organizer, and I admit I struggle when I can't seem to put together just the "right" system for keeping all these jugglin balls in the air with regard to my children's education.  That's probably the perfectionist in me--howling over the gaps I foresee in their education, knowing I haven't given enough focus to this item on my list, or seeing my ds struggle with this item on my list, knowing I must take the time to slow down and help him in that area, all the while fighting against the time this will take away from my agenda for his education.

Maybe that's my problem.  It's MY agenda.  I realize I am focusing far too much on me, and not enough on what My Father wants these precious little ones He's placed under my care to learn.  Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  I can cling to this promise, that if I place Him first, and seek hard after Him, He will take care of getting all my little ducks in a row, and I'm certain, in a far better way than I could ever do it myself!

Lord, please be the Lord of my children's education.  Help me to teach them what You want them to learn.  And help me to relax and enjoy the journey, not worrying so much about the destination.  Help me to trust You, day by day, moment by moment, to guide them (and me) in all You have for us.  Help me to release them to be the people You've created them to be, with all their own unique talents, interests and abilities.  Help me to keep believing that You have a special place in this world just for them, and that they, each one, have a special contribution to make.  Help me to set aside perfectionism and agendas, and schedules and goals when I hear Your still, small voice calling us to something higher.  Help our family as we learn and grow together.  Thank You for the blessing that we can truly do this together as a family.  Amen.

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