Speaking Truth to Our Doubts
By Naomi Fata
Hidden behind our rhythms and curriculum, how many of us have experienced nagging doubts and fears about homeschooling? We wonder if we are doing enough and if our children are at the correct grade level. When the kids don’t seem to grasp a topic, we feel like it is our fault because we just don’t know how to teach them.
Especially as the bleak winter landscape of New York has not quite turned to spring, these fears may rise to the surface more than at other times of the year. Like most other spiritual battles, it begins in our minds. The question could sound like that of the serpent in the garden, “Did God really say…?”
Did God really say to homeschool?
We must fight this mental battle with truth–the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God). These are some truths that have become a source of strength for me during the homeschool journey. Each truth can also become a prayer or confession of belief.
1. God has called, and He is faithful: 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV), “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
I can worry about everything from the to-do list to whether there is enough time in the day to complete my tasks to feelings of inadequacy as a teacher. Ultimately, I must cling to this truth: I believe that my husband and I have prayed about homeschooling, and God has led us to do it. Since I believe God has called us, I must also choose to believe that He is faithful.
Prayer: God, I believe that You have called me to homeschool. Thank You for the faithfulness You have already shown me. I believe that You will continue to show Yourself faithful. Amen.
2. God created our children, and He has a plan for them: Psalm 139:13, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
Several years ago, my youngest was in third grade and still struggling to read. I had tried a vast variety of curricula to no avail. This led us to hire a reading tutor and do months of vision therapy. Since then, progress has been slow, but he has steadily continued to improve. I often caught myself spiraling into doubt, blaming myself for not recognizing there was a serious issue earlier. I told myself that if he had been in public school, they would have caught it back in first grade, and he wouldn’t be so far behind in reading. God reminded me that this was not a surprise to Him. He knew before this child was even born that reading would be a challenge for him. As I read the book The Dyslexic Advantage by Brock and Fernette Eide, I felt God showing me I needed to change my attitude about this reading challenge and embrace the unique advantages of the dyslexic brain.
Prayer: God, thank You for creating my child with unique talents and challenges. I believe You created him/her for a specific purpose in Your kingdom. Amen.
3. God didn’t tell me to make them smart; He told me to make disciples: Deuteronomy 6:6-7, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
At the beginning of the homeschool journey, my biggest concern may have been the academics, even though I believed homeschooling was also good for their spiritual growth. Over the years, God has been shifting that perspective. Though I want them to succeed—to go on to college and have profitable careers—the most important purpose is to cultivate their hearts for the Lord. One of the best ways to do this is to model that kind of heart myself. Rather than getting frustrated and impatient over failed academic assignments, these are opportunities to build Christlike character.
Prayer: God, thank You for helping my children with their studies, but more importantly, I ask that You make them disciples who love You with their whole heart. Amen.
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NAOMI FATA and her husband, Tony, live in upstate New York and homeschool their three children. She is a speaker, award-winning author, and sewing entrepreneur. Her books include the award-winning 13-week devotional entitled Stitching Your Story Piece by Peace, Beyond Head Knowledge, and several sewing themed journals.
