Homeschooling Through Difficult Times

Every homeschool family faces a difficult time in their homeschooling journey. There are NO exceptions. Let me share a little about a challenge we are in the midst of right now.

Homeschooling. 

Deployment. 

Two totally different words that can, if given the proper attention and care, mesh quite well together.

As those of us who homeschool our children know, like all aspects of life, homeschooling can present many different challenges for us to overcome. Whether it be academic struggles, personality differences, life changing events, sickness, death, or just plain sinful nature – we that homeschool face many things on a daily basis with no “break” as we continue to do what God has called us to do in home educating our children. 

Now add to the mix of homeschooling a year long deployment – and there is a whole other “dynamic” that comes forth. No two families are alike. No two families handle everything the same. However, one thing that military families do experience is the heartbreak from long separations away from loved ones during deployments.

I am asked often how I am able to manage so “well” without my husband home. To which I always reply, “Only by the grace of God.” Seriously. I always need God’s help, and during deployments are no exception. Several times a day I am asking God for His wisdom in continuing to be a supportive wife, mother, teacher to my children, friend, and the list goes on and on. And faithfully, God always gives me what I need. Whether it be extra strength to get through the day, an extra hour of sleep from a restless night, an extra cup of grace to help me be graceful to my children, the warmth of His love to help me get through missing the tender touch of my husband; GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES IT. 

Just like anything else in life, I need God, AND HE IS FAITHFUL.

This deployment is the first one that all three of the children truly understand that daddy is away. And that has made it a little more difficult to balance emotions and discipline. God has had to teach me in a new way how to discern between the two. Just when I thought I had it “down” something always changes and humbles me. 

Through our current situation I am also learning more about where my “high” expectations for my oldest have come from. She has never been “without.” Never without love. Never without food. Never without clothing. Never without a mother and father who love each other and her dearly. And most of all, NEVER WITHOUT GOD. Growing up, I was without all the aforementioned and I am still working through understanding that it will NEVER BE THAT WAY AGAIN.

GOD IS FAITHFUL. 

GOD IS LOVE. 

GOD IS PEACE. 

GOD IS JOY. 

GOD IS MERCIFUL.

For anyone out there who is in the midst of a hard time in your homeschooling journey, never forget what the Bible tells us in Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” And Psalm 30:5 b, c, “His favor is for a life-time: Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy cometh in the morning.” 

No matter the situation you are faced with right now, YOU CAN DO IT.