Source of Homeschool Prosperity
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By Maribeth Spangenberg
“And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.” II Chronicles 31:21
“School starts in two weeks,” a mother of my children's Christian school counterparts stated to me after a Sunday morning service. “I don't know where my summer has gone! Are you starting your homeschooling then, too?”
Her question and statement caught me unprepared. Honestly speaking, at that point I was feeling that I hadn't even had a summer. The busyness of life was far more than I had anticipated, even to the point of pushing my children’s needs aside.
“School?” I questioned. “Uhhhh, I haven't given it much thought, yet.” I chucked nervously. “But we usually start when the kids here start.”
Actually, that wasn't the whole truth. I prefer to start my schooling before the children of our church-run school. Having extra days is a consolation when I need time off.
My life was moving at a pace faster than my comfort zone allowed. Although I had joked with my husband that these days were coming, I was still unprepared. But how can one truly prepare for the advancing seasons of life? As children grow and mature, interests change and activities increase. Life happens. “Sink or swim” was my mother's motto. But she wasn't a homeschool mother, and in the process of swimming, I often find it difficult to keep my head above water.
It's not that I don't have my curriculum bought and a direction for the school year. I know that I'm doing United States history with all my children, with the objective of a passing a CLEP test. I know that my sixth grader needs my attention with math and language. I know that my twelfth grader is required to have better writing skills. And I know that physical science will require more experiments to do in our kitchen. I even announced to my boys that there would be no soccer involvement in the fall, but that they could commit to basketball in the spring.
No, the academics aren't the problem. The problem is my attitude.
Recently, I have been reading through the book of Second Chronicles, and have been intrigued with the lives of the kings. Although many were evil, some turned the nation's eyes back to the Lord. My interest focused on analyzing what the “good guys” did to warrant God's blessing and how I can apply it to my homeschooling.
I. Grasp the Goal
II Chronicles 2:1- “And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the Lord, and an house for his kingdom.”
What is it that I wish to bring about because of my time and effort in homeschooling? Solomon purposed to build a house for God's honor and glory. He set his mind to the task and worked with great effort to bring it about. Should I do any less to build my home for the Lord? Concerning goals, Marc and Cynthia Carrier write: “...it is not academics, not life skills, not simply 'sheltering', but, quite simply, living the Word of God in an authentic and joyful way so that our children grow up embracing our life style and faith.” *
I view homeshooling as an effective way to pass on my faith.
II. Purpose Prayerfully
II Chronicles 26:5b; 27:6 - “...and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper”; “So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God.”
When a goal’s purpose is to bring honor and glory to God, it needs to be covered in prayer. Good results can only be achieved with God's strength and grace. Jotham became mighty because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God. And as long as Uzziah sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. Daily prayer and spending time with the Lord is a must when seeking God's blessings and help.
III. Re-Vitalize the Vision
II Chronicles 32:8 - “With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested...”
Grasping the goal and praying purposefully will aid me in revitalizing the vision. It will add new life and vigor to my efforts. Having an awareness of God's presence will remind me not to rely on my “arm of the flesh” to achieve results, but rather on the hand of God to help me. By acknowledging my need for God's wisdom and discernment in the direction of my children's studies, character development, and spiritual growth, I am also acknowledging my limitations and inability to go it alone. THAT is when the Lord will help me. THAT is when He will fight my battles.
IV. Cultivate Conviction
II Chronicles 34:2 -”And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.”
Goals, prayer, and vision can all aid me in cultivating the conviction to homeschool. I must remember what brought me to that conviction. If it’s certain that God called me and my family to this truth, then I need to stir up this belief. I need to foster the deepening of the conviction through steadfastness and faithfulness. It is said of Josiah that he “declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left” in doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. My conviction to homeschool is to do that which is right in God's sight concerning my family. My steadfastness is to not deviate from this truth.
As Christian homeschooling mothers, we know that God is on our side. As Hezekiah sought to reopen the doors to the Lord's house and to bring the hearts of his people back to the true God, so it is my goal to open the hearts of my children to the service and calling of the Lord. Hezekiah's encouragement to the Levites was, “My sons, be not now negligent: for the Lord hath chosen YOU to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense” (II Chronicles 29:11). God has chosen ME to homeschool my children. My offering of sweet incense to Him is the sacrifice of my time and effort in service to those whom He has entrusted to me.
God promises: “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.” II Chronicles 15:7
My academics may be ready, but, unless my attitude is right, I am not fully prepared to start my school year. My homeschooling can only be prosperous if I do it in the service of the Lord and with all my heart, as I seek His face. This is the work He has called me to do, and this is the work He will bless.
*The Heart of Christian Homeschooling, Homeschool Enrichment Magazine, July/August 2007; page 23
Copyright © 2007 Eclectic Homeschool Association
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