Questions from Busy Moms

Greetings!

I met with a group of moms recently and I wanted to share some from what was on their hearts to encourage yours.

A Demanding Schedule

Mom 1: I’m torn in so many directions. There are so many demands on me.

My response: We all feel that way. Study Sabbath rest to get help and encouragement for how God wants you to deal with your too-busy schedule. I am addicted to the study of Sabbath rest. I have concluded that I need to study and restudy the topic. For starters consider your response to God’s desire to draw us to rest in Him. See Ps. 4:8, Mt. 11:28-30, Is. 26:3, Ps. 37:7, Heb. 4:9-11.

While we could study better schedule- making and better schedule-keeping, the heart of the busy problem is looking for God to show you His way.

Curriculum Conundrum

Mom 2: What is the best curriculum?

My response: Sit tight, everyone. I love this question. Start searching for the best curriculum for each child by making a list of goals for that child. Your goals list should focus first on areas where interest is strong and you see gifts God has placed in your child. Next your goals list will include all of the academic areas that if left untaught, would hinder your child. More goals would include areas of everyday living skills and character development.

From this list of goals, you would look for materials that will encourage both you, the teacher, and your student. Materials may be the Bible, grade level texts, videos, maps, interviews, YouTube and any other resource that meets your need. Everyday skills may be learned from a neighbor or church friend, for example.

The best curriculum starts with how God made your child and how he or she has developed to this point. Your goals look ahead at what you are led to encourage in your child.

Fighting Fear

Mom 3: I live in fear.

My response: We all feel inadequate, but know that fear can be used as a God-given nudge for you to discover and live one of the greatest spiritual lessons. You ARE unable. Looking at yourself and the task of training leaders for another generation could cause any of us to tremble. But God, in His mercy, has promised to be with us, to lead us, to protect us, to warn us, to provide for us, to answer us, to rescue us, in fact to be all things for us at all times. With that kind of leadership and with those promises, we are secure.

So, when fear raises its head to defeat you, submit it to the indwelling Spirit and admit to Him your weakness and need. Ask Him to remove the fear and to remind you of the power you have been given. The fear becomes a good spot to be in because it yanks us right back in to the loving arms of our completely capable Father.

What’s Best for My Child?

Mom 4: How can I be sure I’m giving my child the best? Other moms seem to know better what is best.

My response: Rest in who God is, rather than who you or another mom are. A great help for me in this area is the study of sovereignty. You need not take weeks and go through book after book to study this. Perhaps you have so many topics you want to study. Begin your study by simply googling Bible verses on God’s sovereignty, power, authority. Verses like Is. 30:21, Jn. 14:26, Jn. 16:13, Prov. 16:9, Prov. 1:5, Ps. 119:105, Ps 37:23-24, Prov. 3:5-6, Ps. 25:9-10, James 1:5-6, Mt. 7:7, help us see that God wants to make the way clear for us to go.

Trust, then becomes the answer to, “how do we know what is best?” Trust in a God who loves us and wants what is best for us. Regularly meet Him in His Word and in prayer. Get to know Him better and better and you will see how trustworthy He is. All of us share this need.

Homeschool Burnout

Mom 5: I don’t think I can do this another year. I’m defeated and exhausted.

My response: Yes we are! Everywhere we look, we see great needs and decaying society. We can so easily be defeated and surrender to not trying anymore.

Besides surrendering and giving up, what else could we do? For each mom perhaps the list would be different, but I’ll give you my list from years ago in this position.

1. Seek medical help. Be sure there is not a medical problem that needs to be addressed.

2. Evaluate the obvious.

• Is my Bible reading empty? If so, how do I begin refilling? For me my accountability partner lovingly began encouraging and suggesting.

• Do I ignore prayer or pray repetitions? Choose a cherished Bible verse and pray it over and over until you can pray more effectively.

• Do I have breaks from demands?

Breaks may be up early with coffee and God. Breaks must be 1-2 hours each afternoon to sleep and dream. Breaks might be an afternoon each week to do something you love.

• Have I looked over my schedule and canceled everything except the absolute essentials? Don’t worry about what others may think about your weakness. You want direction and healing from the Lord.

• Have I been honest with my husband about my overwhelming defeat? Have we prayed together? Have I “heard” his suggestions?

Not only do we want to evaluate ourselves and fall into the loving arms of our Father for rest, we want to encourage others to seek Him, too.

Love, Becky