where I need improvement. Meals could
be healthier. The house could be more
orderly. I could be more consistent with
sharing wisdom and education from
God’s;Word.;But,;I;am;not;the;complete
and utter failure I was imputing upon
myself earlier.
Well,;what;is;going;on;here?;Why;do;I
feel like such a failure at times? Why do I
go through self-evaluations and come out
feeling like I have been in a boxing match?
It’s;because;as;a;mom,;I;forget.;I;forget
Who;is;on;my;side.;I;have;God;on;my;side,
and I am so busy worrying about the bur-den;He;carries;for;me,;that;I;forget;where
progress is being made on my own areas
of responsibility. I know I want my chil-dren;to;be;saved—oh,;yes,;I;want;it;with
all my heart—but it’s not my job. I long
for them to have wisdom and a Godly desire to chase God and His will every day
of;their;lives.;But;in;the;meantime,;every
minute I waste beating myself up for an
area that is outside my area of responsibil-ity,;is;time;and;energy;wasted.
Now, I have a new job description
in;hand,;and;I;am;urging;you,;faithful
homeschool mother, to do the same.
Spend;some;time;in;Scripture,;making
sure;you;know;what;is;God’s;good,;per-
fect, and pleasing will. See where you
have taken on the job of the Holy Spir-
it—a job you were never intended to
claim—and decide what you need to re-
lease.;Then;take;a;look;at;your;habits,;the
way;you;spend;your;time,;and;the;tools;at
your;disposal,;and;see;where;you;can;use
them all better.
Would a meal plan help you serve your
family better? Would it help you provide
healthier meals? Would it help you live a
more orderly life? Would it help you use
your resources better? Then add that to
your to-do list. Spend time on it.
Would a systematic curriculum help
with behavior, character training, and
discipleship? Would spending time in
God’s Word daily with your children be a
benefit? Or is this an area where you are
already;getting;“straight;A’s”?
How obedient are your children? Do
they need to make some strides in this
area? Do you need to be more firm with
a;younger;child,;or;perhaps;lean;more;to-ward a relational approach with an older
child? Is there room for improvement
here?
These;are;the;things,;dear;home;edu-cating mother that I will have on my new
report card. What will be on yours?
Malia Russell is the blessed wife to Duncan, thankful mother to six children ages
one to twenty-three, grandmother to one,
author, conference speaker, and director of
www.homemaking911.com.
Endnote:
1.;http://billygraham.org/story/letting-god-
handle-the-impossible/
www.TheOldSchoolhouse.com
Then take a look at
your;habits,;the;way
you;spend;your;time,
and the tools at your
disposal,;and;see
where you can use
them all better.
