Only by the grace of God!
Only with God’s help!
Not because I have a bucketful of patience (which a lot of people assume I have, but I don’t). Not because I have the perfect curriculum or the perfect schedule (neither of those exist), but because I have God’s grace and He gives me the strength to do what He has called me to do.
If I go about my day with my own agenda and do what I want to do, I’m setting myself up for a day full of frustration, disappointment, and sometimes even misery.
When I surrender my plans and desires to the Lord on a daily basis, I’m able to stay calm when we are thrown off schedule by 3 poopy diapers in a row or a half gallon of maple syrup spilled all over the kitchen floor.
I’m able to handle the tears of a discouraged child struggling with math (instead of crying right along with him).
I’m able to go down the water cycle rabbit trail with my 6-year-old when she asks how it rains, when the schedule says she is supposed be having quiet time and Mommy needs to be working with her older brother.
I happily snuggle with my 8-year-old when I go to kiss him goodnight because he asks, “Can we snuggle?” when my original plan was to write that blog post that has been sitting as a draft for the past week.
And not only am I able to do these things, but I’m able to do them joyfully, because I know that He is in control and that this was His plan for my days.
The Importance of Setting Goals from Abiding Woman
Thank you for sharing this. I, too, have found the days I let God’s plan fill our day rather than trying to shove everything in that I think we need to do go much smoother.
It’s amazing and sad to me how often I miss this when it’s the most important part of my homeschool! Or any other part of tbe day my, for that matter. Thanks for this series. It has been good for me with our growing family and I’ll be referring back to it!
As I wait the arrival of Baby #6, I’m reading over these tips. This hasn’t been a stellar homeschool year for us, but I have a hard time going easy on myself.
Thank you for your advice!
Thanks for the wisdom. Starting a new year with 5 kiddos, and needed these words!
You are so welcome! Praying you have a great year!
AMEN!!!