A particular day comes to mind when I had already bathed my one-year-old twice due to a diaper leak. It was now breakfast time and I was consoling my three-year-old because she said I poured too much syrup on her pancake. This is when my six-year-old decided to pour his own juice. The lid came off, spilling the entire pitcher of juice on the floor. My morning had erupted into chaos and I felt as though I would never get anything done! As the day progressed, I worked with my older children on their studies, made lunch, addressed misbehavior (several times), cleaned up messes, and changed many more diapers. As I finished working with my two older children on their studies, I glanced at the clock, realizing my husband was due to arrive home any minute. It was then that I realized I hadn't even changed out of my pajamas!
Let’s face it--some days can feel as if you should throw in the towel and crawl back into bed. I don't know about you, but when I experience days such as this, I fantasize about being able to push a restart button.
Before we think about pressing that restart button, however, let's think a little deeper.
As humans, we all experience joy, trials, and heartache. However, our attitudes toward our experiences are orientated to the way in which we view our circumstances.
Are the difficulties you face today leaving you feeling unworthy and unequipped? Looking at your day from a humanistic perspective can leave you feeling as though you have failed, having not been able to accomplish what you had planned.
Now, consider the fact that James 1:2-4 reminds us that we are to count it all joy, even the challenging times.
Try viewing your day from a biblical perspective. A biblical perspective will leave you thankful for many aspects of your life. Be thankful for the essentials: shelter, food, and clothing. Be thankful for your health and your ability to get out of bed. Be thankful for each day you have the opportunity to care for your little ones, hear the sound of your children's voices, and embrace their hugs. Take time to care for and cuddle your baby. And be thankful for the endless opportunities that you are given to tend to your children’s hearts as you teach them the importance of loving and caring for others. Expressing your love for your family by tending to your child's physical needs are just as important as the care you take for his spiritual needs and the development of his virtuous qualities. Your child will apply all of those valuable lessons about love, helping others, being kind, and maintaining good relationships throughout his life. A biblical perspective will help you realize that no matter what kind of day you are experiencing, each moment holds immense value.
Much of what our children learn is by the examples we set. Therefore, before pressing the restart button, take a pause and consider your perspective. Find rest in God's word and seek wisdom, asking God to reveal ways in which you can turn your current situation into a teachable moment.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
--(2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV)
Pray with me: “Lord, remind me, in the midst of my difficulties, that Your plans for me and my loved ones are good. Remind me that difficulties help us appreciate the various aspects of life. Help my weaknesses guide me to lean on You. Help my hardships increase my ability to work through problems and think critically. Help my trials grow my compassion for others. Through all my experiences, I am willing to let You teach me. My ears and heart are open, willing to receive your instruction. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
God wove each member of your family together for a reason. Rest knowing that God will use every part of who you are--your weaknesses, your strengths, your worry, and your hardships --in raising your children. His plan is perfect.
Having found a measure of peace as you contemplate your current circumstances, you are now ready to take a short pause and press that restart button. Here are some of my favorite ways to restart my day:
Call everyone together for a family Bible study and snack. My kids like to pick a question from the book 801 Questions Kids Ask About God which generates meaningful conversation.
Play a board game or charades.
Orchestrate an indoor snowball fight with indoor "snow" balls or white socks.
Walk to a nearby park with your kids.
Listen to music and challenge your kids to dance.
Declare quiet time, giving your children the option to read or nap.
Use a timer to help you limit your pause to thirty minutes. Your timer will signal that you are ready to get back to your regular routine of study.
Restarting your day by changing your perspective, resetting your attitude, and pausing with a short activity helps you refresh, gain positivity, and become more focused. And each night, as your head rests on your pillow, your heart will feel fulfilled.
Find more encouragement and practical solutions on Facebook , Instagram, Twitter and in the Inspirational Homeschooling book
Available on Amazon, Walmart.com, and Barnes and Noble
See more reviews on goodreads.
#homeschoolencouragement #homeschoolmotivation #homeschoolburnout #homeschoolinspiration #homeschoolhelp #Christianhomeschooling #Biblicalhomeschooling #homeschoolchallenges #homeschoolquestions #restartyourhomeschoolday #homeschoolrestart #finishyourhomeschoolyearstrong #homeschoolperspective