This is a post from Julia Rosen of A Family In The Land
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:5-6
You may find yourself this morning waking up in tears, rather than in joy. Maybe you are pregnant again {congratulations!}, or like me, delighting in a precious newborn. Yet even with the joys new life brings, your hormones may be at peak, abnormal, your house is messy, your children already running wild, the chaos has ensued. Maybe you’re fearful of what the future holds financially, socially, or in some other facet of your life. Maybe you never got to sleep last night because you were up with a sick child or maybe you are feeling overwhelmed, unsupported, even without hope. Truthfully, if you are a homeschool mom, then you don’t need extenuating circumstances to make the start of any day a challenge. If you have any burden this morning, then you need to know this truth.
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
It’s true. Our Savior is a savior of the meek, the poor and the downcast. You may sparsely be able to believe it, and believe me, I completely understand, but right now He is closer to you than ever. He is there all the time. But I know from His word that He is especially close to those in need, whose hearts have fallen into despair. If you feel the emptiness of sorrow, know that He will not only comfort you in this place, but that He has allowed it. In fact, in His mercy, He is creating space in you to embody more of Him.
All of us know too well that which the Bible says about times of weakness. Yes, you are probably mouthing the words now, “In my weakness, He is strong.” But it’s a little more difficult to believe that when you are in the middle of it, isn’t it? However, we must remind ourselves in this moment of the reason that we decided to take on the mantle of homeschooling. Is it not the harder path? Does it not require more? Of course it does. And that is where the tears come in. When the task of growing our children up in the Lord leads us into days of sorrow, we understand this truth like never before. We understand that not only is this an infinitely important decision for the spiritual future and well being of our children, but that we will need to daily depend on the very truths that we are trying to instill in them if we are to have any hope of success.
You may be saying to yourself, “but I can’t even get them to sit still for a pasting craft!” “They won’t even listen to me today!” “They fight all day long!” “I need help!” “I can’t do this!”
We have all been in this place and have felt similar points of distress. If we’re honest mothers, this happens every week, at least once. So what can you do?
First, I recommend meditating on a scripture of hope and promise. Remind yourself that you’re doing this for your children’s good and that they most likely don’t understand the sacrifice that you’re making. But you must be mindful that at the same time your children are clueless of your needs and your challenges, your Heavenly Father is most certainly aware. He is there in the midst of your trials, training and building you up in ways similar to those that you employ in training up your children. Your faith is in essence being perfected. Daily, you are being transformed by the renewing of your mind, moving from one level of glory to another level of glory, overcoming, conquering by the sword of the Spirit, God’s word.
And as you begin to see the fruit being established in the lives of your children (which I am confident you can already detect) remember the second part of this scripture which promises that you will “harvest with shouts of joy!” And thus with every new sunrise we are given a template on which to pen the verses to our harvesting song — the song whose lyrics will convey joy wrought from a well of tears, knowing what kind of path we walked to arrive at our goal.
Indeed you have set out on a path of undying devotion — the goal that is training up our children in the way that they should go and from which they shall never depart.
As many of us come to the end of another school year, may we look back and be encouraged at seeing His faithfulness in each of our lives. I’ll leave you with the words of the apostle John who wrote,
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth”. {3 John 1:4}
Sarah says
Beautiful. So well written. Thank you for this encouraging post, it’s just what I needed to read. I feel so overwhelmed some days, and yet I know that there will be fruit from investing in our children’s lives. God is so faithful to help us as parents. He will be faithful forever. Thank you Julia!
Julia says
I’m so glad it encouraged you! Yes you are right, God is faithful!!
Fern says
Wonderful post!!! Thank you, so beautifully written!! Thank you!!
Julia says
You are Welcome, I’m so glad it blessed you!
Heather@To Sow a Seed says
Just beautiful … And much needed today!
Julia says
Hi Heather! I’m so glad it encouraged you! Blessings!
Esther Joy says
I may not have homeschooled technically, but have tried to invest myself in my kids and grandkids. Blessings on you and all who spend the many hours investing your whole life in this!
Julia says
Hi Esther Joy! Thank you for reading! Yes, whether homeschooling or not, just investing in our children’s {and grandchildren’s} hearts may be with tears some days, but the ‘harvest’ will be worth it all! Bless you!
Michele says
well I’m mother of 5 too! Living like a misionary in Bolivia. It’s very good to now you!!!!
Julia says
Thank you Michelle! Bless you!!