Thank you for joining me for one of my favorite projects of the month. This month I would like to share the following scripture: Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV:
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
I found this scripture after reading through my current Bible Study: Nehemiah, A heart that can break. by Kelly Minter.
This week one of the questions she asked us was: "Is it hard for you to move forward without everyone's support or approval? Why or Why not?"
This really spoke to me as we just began our second year of homeschooling. I've written and spoken to many about God's call for us to home school our children. We prayed a lot about this and were affirmed in this decision. And we had the most amazing first year of learning together. I can say that I am most at peace having our children home and having this quality time together as a family. All summer I planned and developed a wonderful room for our children to create and learn in and I was super excited for this new year with them.
And then the school year began. It started off wonderfully as our daughter began 3rd grade, our son began his kindergarten year, and the baby of our house continued to follow along with us. But as the weeks passed, I was reminded of questions I had been asked from friends and acquaintances.
Questions such as:
How long do you plan to home school your children? Will you always home school your children? Why did you choose to home school? When do you have your "own time"?
Followed by statements such as :
That's great that you are doing this, but I don't have the patience to home school my children. My kids are much too social and wouldn't enjoy homeschooling. I don't know how you do it all. Most home schooled children I know are "different"
Admittedly, I really began to have doubts and questioned God's purpose for our family. I began to feel like I had to prove to everyone that our kids would turn out "normal" and be successful. But who defines what is normal? Following Jesus in today's world isn't normal by many standards. And how quickly did I forget that my children's success is not measured by today's worldly views, but only in the eyes of our Lord.
I realized that I was letting others voices be heard over God's voice. No, it is not always easy to move forward when you don't have everyone's approval or support. But I must remember that when God gives instruction, He will provide the resources, the strength, and the answers. This road we have followed may always be filled with questions. And I know that each of us may experience lonely days by following God's plan for our lives and not society's plan, but I also know that we will reap many blessings through being obedient to God.
I must remember this verse and not rely on my own understanding, nor that of those around me, but trust in the Lord with all my heart. I must take faith that "He will make my paths straight." I hope that these words will also bring you comfort when you are doing something that isn't easy or something that others don't approve or understand.
Please continue to follow our circle and see what my friend Gail Pomare has on her heart this month.
