A Moment with The Homeschool Minute~ Deborah Wuehler – Summer Fun

We have talked a lot about kids learning through the summer. So I thought I’d give you, the teacher, something to think about. Summer is an opportunity to step back and look at your homeschooling with a fresh perspective.

Repent and Return

Did you forget that it is your obedience and not your ability that God rewards? Now is the time to repent for your lack of desire to be obedient, your lack of courage to continue, or your lack of vision for what is eternally important, and return to the assignment God has given you in training up His children for His glory.

Review and Reevaluate

What areas were problem areas before the summer? How can I resolve those problems before we start again? What are the gifts the Lord has given each child and how can we help them use that gift? What did I want to teach last year that I didn’t get to teach? What kind of schedule would help me follow through? Take these next few weeks to assess and get organized for starting again. Don’t lose heart; you were made for this!

Resolution and Courage

We all get tired. But we all need to put weary feelings aside and really be intentional about keeping our resolve to homeschool. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines the word “resolution” like this:

RESOLUTION: . . . Fixed purpose or determination of mind; as a resolution to reform our lives; a resolution to undertake an expedition. The effect of fixed purpose; firmness, steadiness or constancy in execution, implying courage. (1828.mshaffer.com)

We also need new courage. Courage to remain fixed in purpose, determined in our minds, and resolute to follow through in execution. Let’s look at the definition for courage as well:

COURAGE: . . . Bravery . . . that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution. It is a constituent part of fortitude; but fortitude implies patience to bear continued suffering. (1828.mshaffer.com)

Homeschooling often requires courage to stand against our own minds that tell us we are failing; courage to fight against “depression of spirits” and courage to bear through difficulties to the end. The only way to find this kind of courage is to dig ourselves out of our own thinking and become buried deep in the Word of God. There are over 100 verses in the Bible about courage. Here are just two:

“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:24

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Let’s resolve to take courage as we joyfully plan the year ahead,

~Deborah

PS. Do you have the jitters because your child is starting high school this next year? Email me at  dwuehler@thehomeschoolmagazine.com and I will send you a free eBook on homeschooling high school. Do you know someone who is ready to quit homeschooling? Have them read: “I’m Done With Homeschooling! When You’re Ready to Send the Kids Away”

Free samples! Active fun in the summer sun is important for young children’s physical, cognitive and social development.

Get free sample physical activities at: www.activeplaybooks.com