"And be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5b)
Because you are a homeschooling parent, chances are your family has given up the "two-income" dream. You've probably done without in many areas including new clothes, vacations, and eating out. Have you been noticing how everyone else seems to have much nicer homes and cars than you? Have you been thinking you are being left behind?
If so, don't allow your focus to be blurred. Stand firm against the evil one and his lies. Satan comes to us in our weak moments of frustration and fatigue and tries to convince us that everyone else has it better. Maybe if you just got a "regular" job and went back to work, you could get out from under the financial burdens you have. Matthew 6:25 says, "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"
Trusting God for all your needs to homeschool involves a faith that will continue to be stretched. The extra expenses involved in buying curriculum and school supplies will even add more to that strain. Knowing that God will meet those needs but not always the wants is the balance that homeschool parents must find. God always provides, even if it is only macaroni and hot dogs. If we don't have the latest in fashion or the best house on the block, we still can enjoy life and the wonderful privilege of teaching our children. May we be like the Apostle Paul when he said in Philippians 4:11, "...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
When homeschooling limits your finances, do you trust God to provide for your every need? As I sat in the doctor's office and listened to him confirm my fourth pregnancy, I had no idea how God was going to help us afford the medical bills. Homeschooling and daily living expenses involved with raising three children had consumed my husband's total income. I knew we had no way to repay the costs for prenatal care and was forced to inform my doctor of our situation as he attempted to schedule my next appointment. Compassionately, he replied, "OK, let's just go ahead and schedule your next visits anyway. If God provides the money, you can pay me. If not, we'll just forget about the bill."
Reluctantly, my husband and I accepted our doctor's proposal and I proceeded with my monthly visits throughout the summer months. Then, as we began our regular homeschooling schedule in August, the most amazing thing happened. A local business called and offered me a part-time accounting job writing dividend checks. I could perform the work at home during the evening hours; and if I finished the project before October, I could earn an hourly rate that was far above the current minimum wage. For the next two months, I worked long hours to homeschool during the day and complete my work at night for my new job. Exactly one week before I delivered our fourth child, I finished the project and earned not only enough money to pay our doctor, but also enough money to cover the entire hospital bill. God in His goodness had proven Himself faithful to provide for our every need.
Are you facing a financial crisis in your family because you have chosen to homeschool? God is big enough to meet even the most challenging situations. There is no problem too great that He cannot solve and no need so large that He cannot provide. Simply lay your burden before the Lord in prayer, and you'll be amazed at what He can do! "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed." (Psalm 37:25-26)
I have a confession, I love to read. My love for reading and writing began when I was very young. This year one of my goals is to read more of the Bible. My goal is not to kill myself trying to read the whole Bible, but slowly read through it, and meditate on it. I started reading through some of the Bible not too long ago, starting with John, and I got to 2 Corinthians, and lets just say I have not been reading lately! It was a perfect plan too, because I would read 1 or 2 chapters a night, and I am sure you know that reading only 2 chapters a night would not take me that long. It is a constant struggle for me to make sure that I read the Bible daily. I justify reading other books by telling myself that I at least read daily a book from a Christian view with a Christian author. Even justify it because the book I may read will have Bible verses in it. But I am convicted...it is NOT the Bible. Through His Word God cleanses and heals our souls and replaces the enemy’s lies with the Truth.
Psalm 119:105 tells us that God's Word is "a lamp to [our] feet and a light to [our] path."
God says He esteems the person "who trembles at My word" (Isaiah 66:2).
**I would love to know everyone's thoughts on this subject.
Copyright (c) 2007-2008 Anne Hall/ TheLargeFamilyLogistics.com. All text, original photographs, and content may not be used without the express written permission of and/or attribution to Anne Hall and/or TheLargeFamilyLogistics.com.
