Crossing the Finish Line
Homeschool in the Strachan house is about to roll to a stop for a brief summer break, and I’m extremely excited, probably even giddy with delight. Five-year-olds hyped up on cotton candy and orange soda while riding bumper cars at the carnival can’t quite rival my excitement. I’m ready for a few weeks where there is nothing to plan, nothing to do. I’m looking forward to being free from lesson plans, quizzes, and searches for the elusive dry erase markers. I’m ready for beach days and island hopping, but none of that is possible if we haven’t endured, if we haven’t persevered to the end. It is just like the verse from scripture made famous by Jesus. He says salvation is given to the one who endures to the end. (Matt. 24:13)
As I look back over the past year I have remarkably sharp laser vision. I can see all my blunders and belly flop failures like a sharp shooter sees his target. There were lessons that were either too long or too short. There were days when my boys wanted nothing to do with me and everything to do with Xbox 360. There were the occasional field trips that ended in vomit and/or tears. There were moments when my energy level was so ridiculously low that I basically let the six year old just take over for the day.
But there are better days, stellar days when we were in complete harmony, a perfect symphony of students and teacher, mama and sons. These are the days that made me feel like a super hero, like I had the homeschooling mojo all over me. These were filled with moments like watching my sons marvel at ideas they’d never considered and become enthralled with new information. It was coming alongside to cheer them on as each became fascinated with some new creation of his. Those are the gems of the past year.
Much like my walk with Jesus, there have been highs and lows, but the point is always to endure. We can (and should) reflect on the process; how do we replicate the great successes from the last year, and how do we do less of the ‘other stuff’ that bombs so terribly? Whatever we take away from our reflections, ultimately, our eyes have to stay on that finish line. It’s not over until it we cross it. Push through until the last paper is graded, the last project is complete, and the last lesson has been executed with as much grace and fun as possible. This is the joy in enduring to the end, knowing that you did your best and you did not quit, for one more year!
Happy summer!
Latasha Strachan As a writer, teacher, and speaker, Latasha is driven by her desire to see women connect, inspire, and empower each other in God’s Spirit of love and unity. Her prayer is that women will become passionate about living free and honest lives through God’s power, mercy and grace. She and her husband Ian live in sunny Nassau, Bahamas and have shared just over a decade riding the phenomenal roller-coaster called ‘marriage’. They are on a wild yet fulfilling journey as they parent and homeschool three exceptionally energetic boys! You can visit her blog: www.latashastrachan.com.
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