Homeschooling is hard. And after a long two weeks it was clear that I wasn’t doing anything to make it easier, I was actually making it worse. After a long text message chain to a sympathetic sister in law, venting my feelings and frustrations, she yet again reminded me that there is no perfect solution. No perfect situation. Every form of education is going to have its pro’s and con’s, its high’s and low’s, its good days and bad days. I was getting tossed around in a storm of bad days without an anchor. So late one night while my husband slept soundly beside me, I yet again found myself wide awake anguishing about what is best. Because, at the end of the day, I promise you the best, our best, is what we all want for our kids. And then it just started, I grabbed my phone and started writing notes, my room all lit up from the glowing screen.
The enemy would love for me to believe that I am not, and can’t be, the best for my kids. Well, that is a big fat lie. The more accurate and absolute truth is that because of JESUS I am the best for my kids. Because of Jesus. His truth. He is an anchor for my soul, my mind, my will and my emotions…I needed to throw out the anchor. I needed to pick up the Sword of the Spirit, the truth, His word.
10 minutes later, I had My Homeschool Manifesto.
Manifesto: n. “a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives, or motives…”
This is my public declaration, I am declaring here in writing, and verbally, each morning I plan to partner with my son (and daughter) in his education. I will speak words of TRUTH over my heart and mind, words that remind me of what my goal is, and what it isn’t, words that point my head and heart towards the person of peace. These words will re-focus me when it gets chaotic, these words will refresh me when my creativity, my motivation and my desire dries up. These true words, that carry with them the power to change my thinking, thus transform me from the inside-out (Romans 12:2), will be my compass pointing to the Morning Star. When emotions swirl and rage, when thoughts run inhibited with no accountability, and when my actions start being dictated by these very emotions and thoughts, I will stop. I will declare. I will choose to believe that…
- It is an HONOR and a PRIVILEGE to be afforded the opportunity to educate and teach my children. (Psalm 127:3)
- Through Christ I can do ALL things. Being united with Jesus, I am equipped with all Love, all Joy, all Peace, all Patience, all Kindness, all Goodness, all Gentleness, all Faithfulness, and All Self-Control. (Phil 4:13; Ephesians 1:3; Gal 5:22)
- My children’s actions, attitudes and words do not have the power or authority to determine my actions, attitudes or words. My joy, peace, and self-control are firmly established and founded on the consistent and never failing person of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 28:7; 2 Tim 1:7; Psalm 100:5)
- My responsibility is to YIELD to the HOLY SPIRIT, and follow His leading in how to love, guide, teach and instruct. I am far from alone. (John 15:5; James 4:7)
- My children’s mistakes, or mine, do not sentence them to destruction. Dealing in extremes is a strategy of the enemy to incite fear and panic. Do not deal in extremes. (Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11)
- My words have the power to build up, encourage and support…I will speak these words freely. They also have the power to tear down, discourage and demoralize them. You have a choice today to decide what words will come out of your mouth. Also, Tone of voice and body language matter and can communicate louder than words. (Deuteronomy 30:19 **Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might LIVE!**; Proverbs 18:21; James 3:1-12)
- I am not just teaching math, spelling, grammar, etc I am teaching, and modeling, self-control, work ethic, dedication and curiosity. ( James 1:22-25)
- There is only a battle if I make one, there is only a power struggle if I choose to struggle for power. My enemies are not my children, and even if they position themselves opposite my desires, I will always be on their side and in their corner. always. (Ephesians 6:12; Romans 8:31; Psalms 56:9-11; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
- My goal for this day cannot be dependent on someONE or someTHING else. What is your goal for this day? Write it down. Desires can be dependent on someONE or someTHING else, when I don’t get or experience what I desire how am I going to respond? (Phil 4:19; Matt 6:33)
- It is not my responsibility to make them successful or ensure their happiness. It is, however, my responsibility to use every opportunity and every situation to point them to the Heart of Christ, to speak the Truth of their Identity in Christ every day.(Duet 11:19)
*He/She is God’s child (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 7:4)
*He/She is loved unconditionally (Rom 8:39, Ephesians 5:1)
*He/She is adequate (Phil 4:13)
*He/She is God’s Workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
*He/She is victorious (Romans 8:37)
As a parent in general, it is easy to carry more than we should, believe we are responsible for more than we are, and often we let our children and their choices and decisions define us, or determine the course of our day. I am not defined by my children, my identity is found in Christ alone. It takes a lot of courage to surrender our goals and realign our responsibilities to match His, when so much is at stake…the lives of our children. But because the life of my child is at stake, my only aim as a parent is to experience Jesus in every moment, allowing His life to flow through me, and yielding to the Holy Spirit’s leading. When we do that, we will love well, discipline appropriately, guide and teach consistently and fully enjoy it. I don’t do this always, hence the homeschool manifesto.. 🙂 but its a good start…
Beholding His Glory 