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Aimee Smith - Rest in the Trench

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Ten Restful Thought Patterns for the Homeschool Mom – Part 2

29 Aug

Five thought patterns that have renewed my mind, things I tell myself repeatedly as a home educator, are:

  • Know your why
  • Invite God into your school
  • Limit your priorities
  • Allow the academic gaps
  • Focus on discipleship

Read more about those in Part 1 of Ten Restful Thought Patterns for Homeschool Moms


Here are some more thought patterns, my changing tides for renewing my mind. Would one of these renew your mind and refresh your heart today?

6) Admit your weakness

My old tide of thought: I convince myself that my personal struggles as mom and teacher disqualify me from being the right teacher for my children. Not restful.

My list is long. You know, that list of reasons I tell myself that perhaps I shouldn’t really be homeschooling my children. I sometimes text my husband and close friends that – really, this time – I just can’t do it anymore. I have, more than once, sat in a puddle of my own tears distraught over trying to face another day of my own failures. I have asked the Lord, “Do I really have to be so dependent?” Well yes, that’s exactly the point. God wants me to be dependent on Him because it keeps me close to Him.

“I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” (II Corinthians 12:9) This task of homeschooling is not about me. It is about allowing Jesus to work through me to draw my children to Himself.

My changing tide of renewal: Boasting in my weakness renews my mind by giving me power. I can rest because the power of Jesus, who created the universe and defeated death, strengthens me for the task at hand.

Renew your mind: Think of one weakness you have in homeschooling. Ask God to fill you with power and strength in that one thing.

7) Master your curriculum

My old tide of thought: I panic over how far behind we are in the curriculum I chose and rush to get through it. Not restful.

Year 1 of our homeschool: We started using Story of the World. I envisioned my children happily coloring as I read to them and enjoyable moments as we completed the hands-on activities. This might have lasted two weeks. Year 2: I tried again. Using all the resources how it seemed they should be used just didn’t work for us. Eventually (about year 4), I changed my perspective. Story of the World is an excellent tool, but it is just a tool. Its purpose is not to tell me what to do as a teacher. I figured out what my family needs from this resource, and now I master it. As a result, my children love it and are learning much. (Since you’re possibly curious: The audio CDs were a game-changer for my family. The coloring sheets and such are beautiful resources, just not for us. Simply listening is how we use this tool.)

 “Have dominion over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28) In the Garden of Eden, God gave people dominion over all creation. Curriculum, as part of man’s creation, should fall under that dominion. God gave parents, not a system or book, responsibility for training our children.

My changing tide of renewal: Mastering my curriculum renews my mind by convincing me of my authority. Authority allows me to rest as the curriculum becomes my tool rather than my master.

Renew your mind: Think of one book or component of your curriculum for this year. Make a plan to use it to meet a goal you have set for your family’s school.

8) Protect your time

My old tide of thought: I over-schedule our calendar with enrichment and relational activities, all good but too much. Not restful.

In our first few months of homeschooling, I quickly realized we could be so busy that we were never at home. Field trips, library, activities, playdates. Yes, we can (and do) learn everywhere we go. But we also need some time at home. Over time, I have learned that my family needs at least two full days at home, and two mostly full days. The people in my home need lots of open space in our schedule. But that’s just us, and it is just one choice to protect our time. Each of our families have different needs for our use of time. We as moms are the protectors of that time.

“There is an appointed time for everything” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Lord, show me today what is appointed for this time for my family.

My changing tide of renewal: Protecting my family’s time renews my mind by giving me margin. Margin provides open space in my day, an opportunity to breathe and rest.

Renew your mind: Consider your family’s schedule, and create some margin in your calendar this week.

9) Converse with your students

My old tide of thought: I stubbornly tackle the endless list of tasks in front of me with good intentions of serving my family. Not restful.

As a task-oriented person, I can easily prioritize tasks over people. My mind tells me the tasks are to serve the people, but I tend to neglect simple essentials like eye contact and conversation. While writing this post, one of my children sat next to me and started firing questions. At that moment, I had two options: 1) Answer quickly and get back to my task of writing (my natural response) or 2) Look away from the computer, make eye contact with my child, and talk. I’m thankful to say I chose option 2 this time. So this will be published later than intended. But my conversation with my boy, and the light in his eyes as we talked? That’s my real purpose as mom.

“Impress (these commandments) on your children. Talk about them when…” (Deuteronomy 6:7) Talk with them when you sit at home. Talk with them when you walk along the road. When you lie down. When you rise up. Talk, talk, talk.

My changing tide of renewal: Conversing with my students renews my mind by prioritizing my true purpose as mom. I can rest knowing my true purpose is to nurture hearts, not complete the task list.

Renew your mind: Decide to neglect a task in favor of a conversation this week.

10) Welcome the interruptions

My old tide of thought: I fear and fret when the surprises in life interrupt my plan. Not restful.

I am a planner, often an over-planner. And I really want my plans to work as I expect. But that’s not realistic in life. Often, my plan is sabotaged by a spilled drink. A broken washing machine. A dead battery in the van. A trip to the ER. Another sibling conflict. The possible interruptions in my days are endless. Frustration is my natural response, because I really want my plan to work. But I am learning God really can work His purpose in all things. And I can admit that His plans are far better than my own.

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) Lord, I will make plans for today, but then I will surrender my agenda and trust You to direct my family’s steps.

My changing tide of renewal: Welcoming the interruptions renews my mind by helping me trust. As I learn more to trust that God is in control and orchestrates events I don’t understand, I learn to rest.

Renew your mind: The next time life feels interrupted, probably today, choose to smile and trust the change of plans is actually the real plan.


Just as the waves of the ocean are constantly crashing on the shore, so are the waves of our thoughts constantly crashing on our hearts. To be restful as a homeschool moms, we must change the waves of our thought patterns. These changing tides can renew our minds and refresh our hearts.

 

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aimeesmith.restinthetrench

Homeschooling... Seeking rest in chaos... Persevering through chronic illness... Tenaciously worshiping in trials... Clinging to Jesus through it all.

aimeesmith.restinthetrench
After a decade of homeschooling, I wonder if I'll After a decade of homeschooling, I wonder if I'll ever be consistent. Our homeschool story consists of one disruption after another life interruption. I often wonder, "if only I could be consistent..."
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I have discovered something far better. God is constant. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. You see, my consistency places the weight of success or failure on my shoulders, but God hasn't asked me to produce a successful homeschool. He has called me to praise and trust Him.
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"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!" (Psalm 57:7)
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God's constancy overshadows my consistency, or lack thereof. So I will sing His praise, and my heart will be steadfast. That's what my family really needs anyway: Mom's steadfast heart.
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#restfulhomeschool #restinthetrench #homeschoolburnout #homeschoolprayers #homeschoolmom #homeschoolstruggles
We may not know what's ahead. . We may not know wh We may not know what's ahead.
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We may not know which direction to turn.
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But we know the One who walks with us all along the way.
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(If you aren't confident you're walking with Jesus, if you're unable to find peace, please reach out. I would love to talk with you.)
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#restfulhomeschool #homeschoolburnout #homeschoolprayers #homeschoolmom #homeschooldevotions
What if being still is a prerequisite for knowing What if being still is a prerequisite for knowing God?
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For really knowing Him. For truly believing He WILL be exalted in all the earth. For being able to relax and rest knowing all will be ok.
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"(God) says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'" Psalm 46:10
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What if the AND is really a SO?
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Be still SO you *can* know. Be still in order to KNOW. .
He is God.
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Maybe this is part of why God instructs us to rest.
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#restfulhomeschool #homeschoolprayers #homeschoolmom #homeschooldevotions #homeschoolburnout #homeschoolencouragement #homeschoolstruggles
I might have a problem. What are you reading? . #r I might have a problem. What are you reading?
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#restfulhomeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschoolbooks
Wait. . Is this the story of our entire lives righ Wait.
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Is this the story of our entire lives right now? Why do we have such desire for something beyond the current moment? What are we waiting for?
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My mind, as yours I expect,  is filled with many unanswered questions and much uncertainty. And so we wait.
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As we wait, let's keep our focus.
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Psalm 53:9 - "I will wait on Your Name for it is good."
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Wait on Jesus. He is good.
"Restore to me the JOY of your salvation." Psalm 5 "Restore to me the JOY of your salvation." Psalm 51:12a
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Every morning. I need His restoration.
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Every morning. He gives us His Word. He offers renewal. He restores our joy.
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What did you read in God's Word today?
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#restinthetrench #restfulhomeschool #homeschoolprayers
No gatherings for worship or fellowship today. Clo No gatherings for worship or fellowship today. Clouds instead of a glorious sunrise. A threat of major storms here in the southeast. Jesus, why couldn't we at least have a beautiful day? What are You trying to accomplish?
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A few minutes in Luke 24 reveals the first Easter wasn't all glorious either. People were filled with confusion, fear, and doubt.
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Women arrived at the tomb early to serve Jesus. Peter ran to the tomb only to return with confused answers. Men walking to Emmaus encountered a puzzling stranger.
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Until they each had a personal encounter with Jesus Himself. He explained the Scriptures, opened their eyes, and gave understanding to their minds.
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Jesus gave them peace, promise, and an expectation of power. .
Their world continued in unrest, but they were changed.
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How will Jesus' peace, promise, and power change us today?
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