Are you battling the homeschool “slump”? Are you wondering about what to do in the upcoming school year?

Proverbs 3:5-7 offers deep truths for our continued homeschool journey.
1. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not on thine own understanding. God has called us to homeschool. Though the journey has many blessings, it also has tough moments and days.
This year we began our seventh year of homeschooling, and I realize more than ever that the secret to homeschooling lies in trusting the Lord. I am inadequate, in my own strength and wisdom, to successfully homeschool my children. Whenever I think I know it or I can do it on my own, I fail miserably. It is only His power and wisdom that enables me to teach my kids what they need to know—academically, spiritually, emotionally. It is only His strength that helps me stay this path. As I depend on Him with every fiber of my being, He will empower me to be the channel of wisdom, truth and love to my children that He desires me to be.
2. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Christ is to be the center, the focus of my life, family and school. I need to seek Him in all I do—curriculum choices, teaching methods, discipline of my children, the way I relate to my children and husband, and the activities we are involved in. Not only do I need to seek His will; I need to surrender to it as well.
He will be faithful to direct my paths; and sometimes to even make the way smooth. He will be faithful to give me patience on my homeschool journey. On those days when I wonder if I’ll make it through the day, let alone the school year; on the days when the block hits; He will empower me to take another step and yet another step on this journey till the end.
3. Be not wise in thine own eyes. “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom,” is a strong and wise warning. My academic qualifications and what I think I know leads to pride and can blind me to what God wants me to teach my kids. It takes away from my depending on the Lord as my source, and that’s a dangerous path to go down.
4. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil. The fear of the Lord brings true wisdom. It gives life (Proverbs 10:27, 14:27); brings humility (Proverbs 15:33; 22:4) and helps us to shun evil (Proverbs 16:6). Meditate on this, and teach the fear of the Lord to your children. It’s what will keep them from evil.
Father: Thank you for the depth of your grace and love to me. Thank you that you are my Source. I abandon myself totally to you. Please empty me of self and fill me with your Spirit that I might serve you and my family with humility and in love. Amen.

A homeschooling mom, Anita Mellott, writes words of encouragement and hope at From the Mango Tree (http://amellott.wordpress.com/), and contributes inspirational articles to Homeschool Enrichment Magazine and Novel Journey.

This article has been modified from the original version that appeared in Homeschool Enrichment’s Jan/Feb 2010 issue.