A few weeks ago I was chatting with a fellow homeschool mom as we took a nature walk with our sons. We talked about curriculums and why we chose to homeschool. We discussed how difficult it is to find your groove when you begin homeschooling. We both admitted we were still searching for groups to join; it can be hard to find your people when you homeschool.
My new friend suggested I read a book called, Teaching From Rest. I realized the book had been sitting in the drawer of my nightstand for months, untouched. I took it out of the drawer as soon as I got home. A few pages in and the words hit all the right places for this Type-A homeschool mama.
Sarah Mackenzie writes, Most of my own frustration comes from forgetting what my real task is in the first place. He’s called me to be faithful, yet I’m determined to be successful.
I guess I’d never really thought of homeschooling like that. I get so wrapped up and worried about my son’s education and my ability to teach him. I have been focused on success. God wants me to simply be faithful.
Mackenzie continues, God is not demanding I be successful on my own. He’s calling me to be faithful and to trust Him for the results, which may not look like what I was expecting.
God wants me to to be expectant of what He is going to do in our homeschool journey without putting unrealistic expectations on myself or Jackson.
Focusing on success will lead to nothing but stress and disappointment.
Focusing on success puts the pressure on me and God never intended for it to be that way.
Focusing on being faithful is a better choice. It’s one I intend to work on as we move forward.
Being faithful means getting up each day and teaching Jackson the way he learns best.
Being faithful means surrendering his education and future to God.
Being faithful means believing that God is in control and I am not.
Mackenzie says, He never demands that we produce prodigies or achieve what the world would recognize as excellence. Rather, He asks us to live excellently – that is, to live in simple, obedient faith and trust…Because whether or not he becomes an excellent writer or a proficient mathematician is not your business to worry over. Your business is that single assignment today and loving him through it.
A few days ago I received a message from another homeschool mama friend.
“Have you read this? Soooo good!”
She had sent a photo of this same book. The one that is rocking my world.
This book is breaking chains and bringing freedom to my homeschool journey.
It’s giving me permission to focus on the task in front of me instead of worrying about Jackson’s overall education.
But more than anything, it’s reminding me that faithfulness is what He’s after; not success.