This is my first year of homeschooling our precious son. Many people told me during the first year, especially Kindergarten, you are mostly trying different curricula, teaching styles, and different routines to see what fits you and your child(ren) best. One thing I have discovered is that no matter how many children you are homeschooling or how long you have been homeschooling, there is a constant battle common to all homeschooling moms. It is finding the perseverance to keep going. For me personally, I have battled with giving up on those days when it appeared so overwhelming. On those days when I felt it would be easier to let someone else teach him and me have my own time to myself. But, I have learned that is not the answer and God wants more for me and our family.

In Hebrews 12:1, we are told that we are "surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses" so we should "throw off every entanglement and run with perseverance the race marked out for us." If you are like me, you may be familiar with this verse but may have never looked at it closely. Several points stand out to me that I would love to share with you.

Who is our "cloud of witnesses?" The Greek word for witness used here is the origin of the word testifier. I believe that our witnesses or testifiers are fellow homeschool mothers that have been schooling longer than we have or have experience in an area we may need to learn more about. How about the wonderful veteran homeschoolers who now have magazines, websites, and books to encourage us? How better to learn about something we don't have confidence with or something we aren't familiar with than a fellow homeschooler who has taught it or is teaching it? They can testify to their knowledge of that subject.

The word perseverance used here is also from a Greek word that translates to "cheerful endurance" or "abiding patience." One thing I am learning with homeschooling is patience. We all want more patience but find ourselves being almost afraid to ask for it. But, notice it means cheerful endurance and abiding patience. God doesn't expect us to do this alone! He wants to be with us, to walk with us and guide us and help us find joy in our journey.

Another aspect of perseverance is that many times it calls for us to wait patiently on the Lord after the seed is planted to see it grow. We all desire to see that growth in our children when we are in the day to day drudgery of schooling and wondering if they are learning much less even listening. But, with even little things like letter sounds, I had to wait patiently till one day I was surprised to have Wyatt spouting off letters and sounds like a pro! Hallelujah! He really was listening!

I don't know about you, but I can sure get bogged down in some of the most trivial of things that take my eyes off what is important. I need to "throw off those entanglements" and focus on what is important for us and what God has called me to do specifically for our family. I need to monitor the TV time and what we watch more closely for all of us. I need to be more mindful of the time I spend on the computer. I could go on, but you get the idea. My focus for this season of life is my family and what we consider important for Wyatt's education.

I think what I like best of all about this verse are those 4 little words that are so easily overlooked while reading it. "...marked out for us." God has already gone ahead and prepared the way for us. He "knows the plans He has for us..." (Jeremiah 29:11). We aren't alone and we don't have to face each day alone. We don't have to figure this out by ourselves! God simply is asking us to give Him some time for Him to show us what His plans are for our family and our child(ren). He would love nothing more than to have us release it all to Him and let Him take us to each step, one step at at time. (Matthew 6:33).

As we each face the closing of a school year, whether we stop for the summer or are gearing up for school year-around, we can continue to persevere in this race God has called us to called homeschooling. He is right there with us. He longs to guide you and help you. Homeschooling is one of the greatest things we can be called to do. It can be one of the most satisfying. And yes, it can be one of the hardest. But we don't have to do it alone. We have our witnesses and we have our God!

Heavenly Father, thank you that You love us so much that even before You call us to something, You go ahead and prepare the way for us. Thank You for loving us so much that You never ask anything of us we can't do because You equip us and guide us each step of the way, if we will only let You. Bless these homeschoolers as they push on to the end of this year's race and bless their endeavors with the fruit of Your knowledge. In Your name we pray. Amen.

Memory Verse: Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (NIV)

Additional Verses:

Acts 20:24 "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." (NIV)

2 Corinthians 8:11 "Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means." (NIV)

2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (NIV)

Application:

Spend time in God's Word. Take time to listen as He speaks to your heart.

Have some time of just quiet without an "agenda" of requests. Seek Him in the quiet moments.

Practice wholly depending on Him. Our families don't need Wonder Woman. Of course, this requires almost minute by minute dependence on some days!

Remember to patiently apply what He is teaching your heart. That is perseverance.

Ask God for godly mentors and begin seeking them as God leads you.

Don't be afraid to ask for help, not just from God, but from other Moms.