Blogging Through the Alphabet ~ Journey

Back when Annette and Amanda first mentioned blogging through the alphabet this year, I went ahead and wrote down a lot of idea prompts for letters. One of the first letters to get filled in was J. 

This home education path is a journey. It is not something to decide all at once, it is not something to try to master all at once. It takes time, lots of effort, and a willingness to adapt. What is that old saying? The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. Homeschooling is a choice, followed by a journey filled with other choices. Similar to the bridge in the picture above, we had a general idea  where we thought we wanted to go. We could see the beginning of the path, but not around the corner. Life is like that whether or not you homeschool. 

Only God knows what lies around each bend or hill of our lives. It is important to remember that He promises never to leave or forsake His children. If you are His child, He is right there with you. You don't have to understand it, you just need to believe it! Just as we have to learn to trust God as new Christians, we need to learn to trust His guidance when it is time for our children's education. If He is calling you to homeschool, and He has made it obvious to you that you are going to need to work as well ~ guess what? He will be there every step of the way. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it! 

If He is calling you to homeschool, and you can manage to make it as a family on just one income, I think that is better. Try to make it happen, but also realize that might not be God's answer for your family. 

There have been several times (hundreds?) over the past 13 years when I have wished and prayed to be able to stay at home with our daughters. God's answer has always been "My Grace is sufficient." Sometimes I have not really liked that answer. Sometimes it has been so heart-wrenching to get up out of bed and go to work when I just wanted to stay home and cuddle and read books on the couch. Yet, His grace has always been sufficient. On the days when I wonder if I'll have the strength to walk upstairs to go to bed because the day has been so physically taxing ~ His grace is sufficient. On the days when I cried my eyes out because I just wanted one day that looked 'easy' like other Moms seem to have that get to stay home ~ His grace was sufficient. 

Today? Even today His grace is sufficient!

Wherever you are on this homeschooling journey, remember that it is just that ~ a journey. It is not just the destination that matters, it is the way you get there that will be remembered! Our oldest daughter graduated in December. Looking back, I realize that I am glad I cannot change the past, because the journey all of us took to get her to graduation is the one we shared together. The journey where we made memories, and she grew up loving her 'little' sister, is the journey that made her into the beautiful young woman she is today.

Take heart Mama in the trenches! There is sunshine just for you, for your journey. Just look up at the Son and you will find it!