I know this isn't right. Why have I been letting the most important thing we do each day slide? I think the answer is- the fear of man. I've feared letting my kids get behind in school. What will others think of us and our decision to homeschool? Will they feel sorry for my poor ignorant, uneducated children? Will they inwardly criticize the choices my husband and I have made for our children? Will they think I've bitten off more than I can chew? Will I have to admit to myself that I can't do it all? That perhaps my kids are better off in school?
When Jesus commissioned His apostles to go out into the world and spread the gospel, He said they would encounter opposition, even persecution. This was His advice:
Therefore, do not fear them... do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Mathew 10:26, 28
In other words, fear God not man.
The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be safe. Proverbs 29:25
My fear of what others will think or say has become a snare for me and my children. And so I remind myself yet again that our priority is filling our children with the Word of God. That character training is more important than Algebra and Scripture memory more important than Language Arts. I remind myself again that the habit of starting each day in the Bible and prayer will take my children farther than good study habits will. And I remind myself again that a house full of love gives God more glory than a house full of erudite children.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36
Our memory verse in CBS this week is Mathew 6:33:
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Please pray for me that I can keep first things first around here.
I've been there, too, and every verse that I could think of to share with you, you already shared in the post. :) So... (((HUGS))) Don't be too hard on yourself and fight the good fight of faith.
ReplyDeleteyes, I will pray for you. I understand and have recently been struggling myself to stay in the scriptures. It is no problem to make sure the kids are in the scriptures and that we are regularly having family worship, the problem is keeping myself in the scriptures privately. It sounds like you are already on the right track- realizing there is a problem and now trying to improve.
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for you too Celee. I had such a hard time after Judah (7) was born...
ReplyDeleteHave you considered homeschooling year round, taking breaks as needed? That has really helped me.
I don't fear man so much anymore...when I get anxious, I take a few steps back and observe, and I usually like what I see (as long as I've been keeping 1st things 1st). The fact that you recognize it, will send you on your way. Things will get better!
Love!
Kathi
I struggle with that as well, even though it's just me and my husband. Sometimes it's really easy to get caught up in the day to day and lose focus on Christ. I hope you're able to stay centered on Him!
ReplyDeleteBeen there, done that. When I start to fear man, my husband kindly directs me to our real reason for homeschooling- Him.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement, ladies! Now give me a couple of weeks and ask me if I've kept with it!
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't have a new baby, but we have been getting lax on a few things as well like our devotions at breakfast. This morning when we did them my 2 year old said "do it again!"
ReplyDeleteI also tend to second guess my home school decision and what others will think. Thank you for the reminder that the Lord is the only one who matters!