Run with Confidence

When I was a young child, my parents and I attended church with my grandparents.  I have vague memories of the stylish hats my grandmother always wore to Sunday services—close fitting, sometimes with a net veil attached. My parents sang in the choir, so I sat with Grandma and Grandpa during the service. They would help me hold the hymnal and even the Bible turned to the correct passage although I could not yet read. My other grandmother worked in the church nursery, and when services were over, I could run to see her and be gathered up again in her arms. These very early memories are treasures, reminding me that, although my grandparents have moved to their heavenly home, they left a heritage of love for our family, love for our church family and our country, and most importantly, love for Jesus Christ and devotion to God.

There were good days and difficult days.

There were times during our homeschooling years that I clung to that heritage, doggedly determined that I, too, would pass the baton faithfully to my own children.  All homeschoolers know that when home educating, there are good days, and there are really difficult days. And for some of us, there are good years, and there are really tough years. It was during one of those difficult years that I remember seeing Hebrews 12:1-2 in a new light:

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Suddenly, I wanted to run.

As I meditated on the passage, I pictured my grandparents in that great cloud of witnesses and envisioned them cheering me on. They were very loving and supportive of me as I was growing up, and I knew that, as witnesses who had gone before me, they were offering the encouragement and support I needed by the example they had lived. “Look to Jesus, Susan. He endured so much more on your behalf. Keep your eyes on Him. He is faithful and will finish the work He has begun in you and in your children.”  Somehow those thoughts, that mental picture of them cheering for me, was enough to lift me out of discouragement, even despair, and guide my feet to firmer footing. There I could run again and lift my eyes and thoughts to the eternal and true, changing my thoughts and therefore, my perspective. I was being cheered on, and suddenly I wanted to run.

Look to Jesus!

Homeschool parents, look to Jesus. By fixing your eyes on Him you can stay the course in the education and discipleship of your children. He has promised that your children are His workmanship, and He will complete the work He is performing in and through them. He is faithful. Everything does not depend solely upon you. You are not alone in this race, and there is a cloud of witnesses who have gone before you. Those of us who are finished or almost finished homeschooling stand with you who are still running this race. We are here to encourage you, to equip you, and to pray for you. And Jesus, the great intercessor, ever lives to make intercession for you. Run the race! Run with confidence that God will provide answers to your questions and will dispel your fears. He will guide you and give you strength.

In all that concerns you—learning styles, lesson plans, a messy kitchen, toddlers and babies interrupting lesson times, fatigue, perplexing learning differences, upper level math and science, college prep, political threats to freedom, unstable economy—whether big picture issues or small irritating interruptions, remember God is sovereign and faithful over it all. He will complete the work He has begun.

The words to the classic hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness, have rung through my soul as this schoolyear draws to a close.  Looking back over the years of our homeschooling, I can see His hand faithfully guiding, steadfast and strong. And He is still working in me and in my children.

Take a minute or two and rejoice in the truth of these words.

Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not.
As Thou has been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy Faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is thy Faithfulness! Great is Thy Faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!