"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." (2 Corinthians 1:4)
Let's face it. Some mornings you wake up as a homeschooling parent and say, "If I have another day like I did yesterday, I'm going to lose it!" Between your little ones fighting and your older children taking the lazy way out of their schoolwork, you're tired of being a policeman. Ironically, those discouraging days seem to be the very ones when someone calls wanting your encouragement to start homeschooling. You feel like the proverbial blind leading the blind and think to yourself, "If they only knew!"
The stressful pressures of life can tempt anyone to give up. The Apostle Paul discovered that fact about his situation when he wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:8, "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life." Clearly, Paul was out of his comfort zone; but he didn't quit. Trusting God for everything he needed, Paul learned how to rise above his circumstances-even when facing death! With the comfort he received from God, he encouraged others to remain faithful in suffering for Christ (2 Corinthians 1:4-5).
Are you experiencing a "crunch time" in your homeschooling? Hang in there! Many have gone before you and survived the stress of being a homeschooling parent. The difficulties you're experiencing will get easier and someday the pressures won't feel as strong. Even when you feel like you can't cope, God's presence is with you to guide you and give you comfort. "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
Lord,
Your Word says that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Strengthen me today and help me obediently follow You to accomplish Your will in our family. In the name of Jesus, Amen. |
