As home educators we feel a special kind of pressure that I don’t think parents of schooled children do. We are in a unique place because we are so personally invested in our children’s futures. We want to make sure that our children carry on after we are gone in an even more successful way. Their success or failure in life rests on our shoulders—or does it?
If you believe that your success is based on the success of your children, beware. That’s a lot of pressure for you both and it will lead to burnout, or at least frustration. It’s akin to stage moms and sports moms. They are nothing if their children aren’t successful. I found myself falling into this dangerous pattern. I put so much pressure on myself to make sure my children would be successful that I found myself totally empty and discouraged. I had bumped God right out off the throne and put myself there instead. Bad idea. I do not make a good God. I had to realize and give God His rightful place again.
As a Christian, I believe the success of my children ultimately rests with God. I can facilitate but He alone can bring the fruit.
I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. 1 Cor. 3:6 The Message
God makes things grow. In BPA we are all about planting seeds but we need to make sure that we stick to our job description. If we remember our place then we can shake off that weight of legacy and embrace the here and now, trusting God with the future.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:1,2 KJV
What a timely post! This mornings sermon was just about that…putting yourself at the center and shoving God out. Though in homeschooling we may feel like we’re being the devoted mamas and putting our children first, you clearly demonstrated that it’s really yet another way we selfishly put ourselves first. This will be something for me to pray about this week. Thanks!
I’m glad this post was helpful. Thanks for commenting! It is a difficult balance, for sure. It’s so easy to make it all about us, even when we think it’s about our children. Human nature is a big obstacle.
.-= Anna-Marie´s last blog ..with joy =-.
An excellent post and so true! I just experienced a few months ago the grief that resulted when my autistic son went through major regression that I took very hard. Thank you for your encouragement. No therapies and programs can make him better- only God can.
My prayers are with you Cristy. Autism is especially cruel and frustrating at times. God is faithful. He will keep you when no one else can. I hope things are smoothing out with your son.