I see a lot of the incredible work that goes on behind the scenes of Christian homeschool motherhood due to my wife…and I am amazed.
At times, it is tiring, stressful. chaotic and even seems futile. But be encouraged, God uses *every* single action, every word and sacrifice!
Your prayers early in the morning and late at night.
Your honesty and humility with personal faults
Your example in going to God and dealing with said faults.
Your modelling of commitment to and respect of your husband.
Your sacrifice giving up your desires, friends, activities to lead your children to Him.
Your understanding of your children’s feelings and vital comfort
Your orchestration of *good* social interaction opportunities
Your teaching, reading and fun times with them
Your cleaning and providing meals and making your house a home
(Oh yes, and of course the actual homeschool book work 😆 )
All of it is a reflection on how God works through all your efforts, despite how feeble they seem… be encouraged!
No matter how you feel, no matter how much or how little you do, no matter how consistent you are, no matter how your children are responding (or not), no matter what they say:
God is reaching out through you – building, preparing, transforming the precious ones in your care.
You are where you are meant to be, just keep walking, step by step, day by day, with Him.
I often think of John Wesley’s mother: so under the pump with her duties raising and teaching 19 children that the only quiet time she could get was under her apron. When things got too much, she would pull it up over her head and spend time with her Saviour.
She likely had no idea of what her son may accomplish for the Kingdom – she ‘just’ served the King in her duties every day in the position she found herself in. Just because her husband had little to contribute, (often absent for 12 months at a time and spent time in jail twice), it didn’t change her resolve or the outcome of her devotion.
Keep it up!
It’s all we have, but all He needs: our willingness, our obedience, even our failures! He uses even our weakness and inability…for His purpose.
Look at how He says it:
“Therefore, my dearly loved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord—because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 (TLV)
Did you catch that? You’re labour for Him is *not* in vain. He will use everything for your good, for your children’s good and, ultimately, for His Kingdom.
He is so powerful, so wise that there is only one thing He can’t use…can you work it out?
(Yes it’s a question for your kids!) [Clue: NLT translation of the same verse… ]
Be Blessed and Encouraged this #MothersDay
One of Susanna Wesley’s prayers:
Help me, Lord, to remember that religion is not to be confined to the church, or closet, nor exercised only in prayer and meditation, but that everywhere I am in Your presence. So may my every word and action have moral content. May all the happenings of my life prove useful and beneficial to me. May all things instruct me and afford me an opportunity of exercising some virtue and daily learning and growing towards Your likeness.