Memory Verse:  Psalms 55:22 – Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee; He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Assignment: This would be a good week to tell about your worst struggles with a lifestyle of homeschooling.  Tell about something you’ve struggled with and how God’s mercies gave us the strength to get past it.  Also, share any curriculum/homeschool methods that have been a relief to you, i.e., a particular Teacher’s Manual or Homeschooling method that’s been easier for your family.  Talk about how you felt when the burden was lifted and Oh, What a Relief it is!

I have to say that my worst struggles have been…oh, what a list…comparing myself and the kids to others, expecting too much from the kids when they were still too little, not having a good schedule and managing my time, and a huge lack of patience. 

Ok, let’s take these one at a time…I feel like I am going to confession, if I believed in doing that….

Comparing myself and the kids to others:
There is a lovely, generous, organized woman in our church who homeschools her nine kids.  She always seems to have it all together.  Whenever we have a church function at their house, you can see the kids art projects all over the walls and the Bible memory chart all filled up with stars.  I felt like I was barely treading water, and gettting the simple basics down.  I felt like such a failure.  There were others who made me feel that way as well.  The people are still there that seem to have it all together, but I have  learned to take a step back and trust that God will use my efforts to His glory.  I touched on this briefly in my last assignment. They have learned so much in the last few years, when I have really let God lead us, and not think that I have to measure up to the world’s opinion, but only to my heavenly Father’s requirements.

Expecting too much from the kids when they were still too little:
I distinctly remember when my oldest boys were little, trying to make them do everthing that Abeka required, and getting so angry at  them when they couldn’t do something or got something wrong, assuming that they were doing it to frustrate me or being stubborn.  I think I reflected a lot of who I was as a kid on them.  I remember being so stubborn when my mom tried to help me with math, and just pretending that I didn’t understand it.  What a dork!  I continued my foolishness by assuming my kids were doing the same to me.  I am learning not to judge my kids by my past, but to take them at face value, and not assume the worst in them, even though I was a rotten kid!  Oh, and by the way, I have since repented to my mom, and asked for her forgiveness, even though she never even knew!

Not having a good schedule and managing my time:
I will fully admit it.  I am a time waster.  I can waste time like nobody’s business!  Like right now, I should be figuring out what to make for dinner and checking to see that the kids are doing what they are supposed to be doing.  I have tried to make schedules, but it seems like they work for a month or so, and then something comes up to throw it all off, or I get so time oriented that I forget to take time to "smell the roses" so to speak.  For example, dh recently started working from home almost every day, so he has been leading family devotions after breakfast.  This is something that I have wanted to happen for years!  Now, it’s all I can do to keep from saying, "Ok, it’s 9am, time to get on to another subject!!" right when they are having a wonderful theological discussion!  What is more important?  Math or discussing theology and learning about God with Dad?  So anyway,  I am working on not wasting my time, but being flexible enough to allow room for God to lead us…hmm…I am seeing a theme here!

A huge lack of patience:
This is a constant struggle for me.  This is one of my main areas of failure. I cringe inwardly on Sundays when we recite in church about how merciful, gracious, loving, just and good our Lord is.  I think back on our week and remember how harsh I can be with my family and with others, how angry and frustrated I am.  I know that the Lord is changing my heart, as I am so much better than I was in my 20’s, but I still have a long way to go.  I remember when the Lord first really convicted me about it.  I drove home from somewhere,  and realized that I didn’t even enjoy kissing the kids goodnight, because I was so relieved that they were in bed.  I sat in the car alone, literally crying out to God that I didn’t want my kids to remember me like that, the screaming banshee, and I had to MAKE myself love on the kids. Isn’t that awful?!  But it worked!  I now LOVE to love on them!  I LOVE to rock them, read to them, cuddle them. Don’t get me wrong, I still have my days that I can’t wait for bedtime! If you are too stressed out, stop what you are doing, and just play with them for a while.  Let them help you cook dinner (start early!!), read stories, build with Legos, go for a walk, enjoy them.

Well, I need to go and let my son work on Russian on the computer.  I hope this has helped encourage someone.  I know I could have used a strong dose of encouragement back in the day.

Have a blessed week, and remember to LOVE ON THOSE KIDS!