I sank into bed, every muscle aching.

It had been one of those days. A school day no one wishes would ever happen, but one that’s sometimes a reality with homeschooling…

“I don’t get it.” My eldest drummed her feet on the floor and buried her head in her hands.

“What don’t you get?”

“This.” And she jabbed the book so hard, it fell off the table. I picked up the Math text book.

“But what don’t you get? It’s not like decimals are a new concept.”

“It’s, it’s just so hard. It doesn’t make sense.” And she burst into tears.

Oh, Lord, help us, please.

My day went down-hill after that. My toddler fussed her way through the day. Nothing I did seemed to ease her irritability. My aging mother seemed more needy that day. By the time my husband walked in the door, I was frazzled, and longed for some quiet.

As I fell into bed, I prayed, “Lord, please let tomorrow be a better day.”

The next morning I awoke to my toddler’s cries. I glanced at the clock on my dresser. 5:30 am. I groaned. As I pulled myself out of bed, her cries quieted.

I propped myself up against the pillows, grabbed my Bible from the nightstand and began to read Proverbs 10. Verse 22 jumped out at me: “The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.”

“What are your blessings, Anita?” I felt a gentle whisper in my heart.

I thought of my recent lay-off and the lost income; my anxieties; the challenging school days we sometimes have; my exhaustion. And then all of a sudden, images began to vie with each other as they paraded through my mind: My children. The joy of being home with them. The blessing of homeschooling and discipling my kids. Health. My husband’s job. Time with my kids. A caring, supportive homeschool group. Friends. Freedom…

My cheeks began to burn. I bowed my head and whispered, “Thank you Lord for reminding me of your blessings. Truly there is no sorrow with your blessings. They enrich my life.”

What are some of your blessings?