It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.Lamentations 3:22-24

Faithfulness. That’s what comes to mind as we end another school year. Though relief and a sense of accomplishment set in, gratitude for God’s faithfulness overwhelms me. We made it through our first year of middle school!

In the Old Testament, the Israelites set up memorials as reminders of God’s faithfulness. When God gave them victory over the Philistines, “Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Hitherto hath the LORD helped us’” (1 Samuel 7: 12).

So I asked my daughter to write down ways in which God had been faithful through this academic year.

Why is it important to remember His faithfulness?

It encourages us. Several years ago, my husband and I, after much prayer, decided to homeschool. As the first day of school approached, my nervousness increased. Doubts clouded my mind: Should I really be teaching my 5-year-old? Would I be able to give her everything she needed? What if she never learned to read? What if she didn’t get a strong academic foundation?By the end of kindergarten, reading was, and still is, my daughter’s favorite subject.

Looking back, at that time, I never thought I’d be homeschooling through middle school. But God, in His faithfulness, has brought us this far.

It helps me go on. Perhaps no journey is more misunderstood or disapproved of than that of homeschooling. And some days are just hard. But when the tough times hit, remembering His faithfulness helps me take one more step forward, knowing He is holding my hand. Though darkness may sometimes hide the next step, I can take it in faith, because “he is faithful that promised” (Hebrew 10:23).

It teaches my children.“God is compassionate and cares,” my daughter answered when I asked her what she learned from God’s faithfulness.

“How is that?”

“Well, when I was having a hard time with Math, we prayed, and He helped me. He changed my attitudes and helped me understand Math. That shows me He cares about me.”

Experiencing God’s faithfulness through the good and the not-so good times helps my children know Him better. They realize that He cares about the details of our lives and that no matter what the problem is, they can take it to Him.

It strengthens our faith. When I was pregnant with our second child, doctors didn’t hold out much hope for her life. We rode a wildly emotional roller coaster through that pregnancy, not knowing what to do or think as each week brought a new medical issue for either the baby or me. All we could do was pray. Though our faith was tested severely, we trusted God for His will. Our then eight-year-old saw that regardless of the situation, He is in control. He is sovereign.

It’s through the crucible of difficulties that our faith is tested. It’s through experiencing His faithfulness in those times that helps us trust Him more. Though the storms may hit, we don’t have to drown under the crashing waves. He is with us and will see us through.

It challenges us. Meditating on His faithfulness causes me to examine my own life. I’m challenged to hold on to Him, to walk the path He has called me to, no matter what.

So, what’s your Ebenezer going to be this year?

A homeschooling mom of several years, Anita Mellott contributes inspirational articles to Homeschool Enrichment, The Cypress Times and Novel Journey. She blogs “Words of Encouragement and Hope” at From the Mango Tree (http://amellott.wordpress.com/).