Year-End Thoughts

This has been our eighth year of homeschooling.  And for eight years, I have laid nice, neat plans. Not a single one turned out according to my plans.  Every one turned out the way God planned, though.  There have been moves.  Many.  There have been changes, babies, jobs, activities and any other manner of interruption . Yet, none were a surprise to the Lord.  He has given us the grace needed to get through each of those times, especially when I wasn't sure how on earth any progress was gonna happen.

At the end of the year, I'm so relieved  that I almost never sit back and reflect on deep issues.  This year, a few things grabbed my attention so I'm writing them down so that I don't forget them.  Here's what I learned:

1.  Hard doesn't mean bad.
2. Consistency IS key.
3. My children need my focus, not just my presence.
4.  My "sacrifices" aren't really sacrifices, they're part of  my Calling .  I get wrapped up in what I'm having to give up/change  instead of seeing what God's plan is.  (See #1)
5. Not one of us is promised tomorrow.

I'm going into next year with these thoughts close at mind.


By the way, it took all of my summer "vacation" to absorb these lessons.  We now only have one more week off till we start back.  Yes, I'm embarrassed.