I’m not sure about you, but the winter was hard on us. Our family entered the Christmas season with the gift that keeps on giving–the stomach flu. Really, all 5 of us got it, slowly and painfully. It seemed from there, we didn’t ever get healthy all at the same time. Our oldest daughter especially has been fighting an ongoing battle with headaches, low grade fevers, body aches, fatigue and generally not feeling well. Our middle daughter had a seizure from a fever and had to be taken to the hospital. Even with all these health problems, I realize that we are not unique. Families have far more difficult problems that they are facing. As a homeschooler, how do you handle hard days?
Well, I thought I’d share how I handle them partly to let you know,
- you are not alone, and
- as a testimony to God’s goodness, faithfulness and provision.
First, I have to say that I did not always handle these bad days very well. Sickness and fatigue can wear down a person. Discouragement can set in and spread to the rest of the family like an infection.
Through the hard days, I quickly readily gradually learned that God is the only One who can be my constant companion. Yes, my hunny is there to support and encourage and my friends can offer to bring a meal or run an errand, but when it comes down to it…only God can be there with me ALL the time.
I’ve also had to adjust my expectations for the academic side of homeschooling. With hard times comes a realization that the plans I made, the goals I sighted, are probably not going to come to fruition. Leaning on the wisdom God promises and the experience of seasoned homeschool moms, I have re-evaluated and set new goals. It is a difficult balance–character and academics. I want to teach my children perseverance and diligence, at the same time acknowledging that hard days take a toll on all of us.
Overall, God’s gentle shepherding–leading me, teaching me and loving me has been the greatest lesson that I continue to learn during the hard days.
