Homeschool Devotionals
Devotionals of encouragement and inspiration to help us all keep on the right spiritual track!
This is an archived category - please click here for a regularly-updated blog featuring new homeschool devotionals!
Growth Spurts
My second realization was that my children are growing up! Funny, how I can see them day-to-day and not notice the change. Probably because I am so busy performing the daily, required tasks . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
No Reprieve from Parenting
Trying to collect all my children after church is a challenge! Church is their "socialization", the place of gathering with all their friends. And they are always reluctant to leave . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Hanging Out Together
It doesn't take much to show your child that you love her. In fact, cost is insignificant. What matters most is the time and effort that is put into cultivating the relationship . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
The Missing Factor
This summer, life traveled quicker than I anticipated, with events and situations that were out of my control. In between I managed to plan curriculum and buy textbooks, but emotionally, I lagged behind. Pieces of me were being pulled in every direction . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
God's Morning Gift
No sooner do we set up camp, than my husband seeks out his awning lights. He carefully clothes pins them to the overhang's perimeter, plugs them in, and, at the first sign of dusk, sits and enjoys their subtle glow . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
The Joy of the Simple
I am thankful for my husband and children's ability to be resourceful. Their creativity for sport, with what is available, never ceases to amaze me . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Perspective of Fun
"Why do we do it?" we sometimes ask ourselves, hustling here and there, making the needed preparations for vacation. "Getting ready" takes time and effort. And it's always on OUR part! . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Restitution and Responsibility
"We can say that we had a successful vacation if, before we leave, we repair everything that we broke," my husband said, jokingly. I, on the other hand, was getting a little exasperated . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Under His Wings
My morning prayers for each of my children quickly came to my mind as I realized that God had answered . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
A Stain of Love
I was surprised that my husband never made mention of the ominous stain at the bottom of the third floor stairs. Every morning for wake-up call, as I ascended to the two bedrooms above, the dark, foot-long diameter circle stared up at me in seeming, open defiance for its very existence . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
A Taste of Spring
It is a rare moment when I am alone with my thoughts, with an opportunity to enjoy The Lord's Presence, and to ponder His Blessings . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
In His Time
For 25 years I forgot...until my own children's college graduations. The Lord brought it back to my memory, and I finally understood what it would have meant to my mother . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Cultivating a Child's Interests
What a lesson there was to learn! As a teenager, this man had an interest. It was not a typical interest, nor one readily available to the average young person . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
The Cherished Manger
My mother's hand-painted ceramic manger set was slowly coming together, each piece personally sanded and painted by her own hands. Even at sixteen I knew the timeless legacy this work of art would hold for future generations . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
The "Chicken Pox Christmas" of '87
The next day I called my parents to tell them the sad news. To my relief, I found that the surprise was on me . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Holiday Expectations
"Mom!" my daughter's young voice echoed through the kitchen. "What should we do for journal today?" . . . "Holiday Expectations!" I called back . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Seasonal Change
Traditions are a good thing. They make life-long memories and create strong family bonds. But what was once good for one season of life may not necessarily be appropriate for the next. While some traditions can last a life-time, others may need to be tweaked . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
The Blessing of Brothers
Nathan saw it. Jared inspected it. And Jon financed it. Three brothers, all used of the Lord for their sister's good. God often works in mysterious ways, and it blesses this mother's heart! . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Pre-Game Jitters
In examining my sons' athletic advancements, it caused me to evaluate our family's academic progress. I asked myself, "Did the year start out as planned? Was a routine established? Were the proposed courses meeting the needs of my children?" . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Tweaking Time
It's that time again! Three weeks into our new school year, and I need to evaluate. How are the kids doing? Is the curriculum challenging enough? Are the courses at their level? How much are we following a routine . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
The Glass Half-Full
Andrew, at seventeen and a half, is my middle child. He had four older siblings and four younger. This upcoming year will be the last in which I am homeschooling more children than I have graduated . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
God's Vision Maintained
The new school year is fast approaching, and I am not ready. There is a struggle within, and I am not sure why. Objectives are done, curriculum is bought, and a direction is planned. Yet, I don't feel ready . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Summer Reflections
As I sat at my kitchen table in the comfort of air conditioning, gazing out the back window, I was overseeing the play of my three youngest children with their neighbor friends. It brought back memories of my family's younger days . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Credit Beyond the Grave
Amazingly, these words were spoken by a man who only had opportunity to know his mother's love for the first 9 1/2 years of his life. Yet, her influence was so profound, that even in a few short years, she was able to leave a legacy to her child . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Prone to Lead
In my experience, I know of no other nationally recognized "job" with this high of a percentage of home-schooled men. Granted, some were privately tutored and some were self-educated, but all stepped out of the box of conformity in their education . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Freedom By Choice
Driving through the "blinking light, school zone" reminded me that not all children had completed their academic year. As homeschoolers we had closed our books a good three weeks ago . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Kites and Kisses
Yep, I need my husband at curriculum fairs . . . And he needs me! Recently, as we were cruising the aisles, I noticed that a particular booth caught my husband's attention. Realizing his interest I directed our steps closer . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
The Bitter-Sweet of Graduation
So many thoughts and feelings flood my mind and heart, as my husband and I meet our graduate mid-stage to personally present each with their diploma . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Stand in the Gap
As everyone bowed their heads in prayer, the only sound that could be heard above the voice of the preacher was that of sniffling mothers. In all of the 300-person congregation there was not a woman who had borne a child that did not have a tear in her eye or a lump in her throat . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
The Unnecessary Apology
Oh, how easy it is to forget my number one calling of mothering. My children should know that their well-being takes priority over any routine or academics . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
The Wear and Tear of Bonding
Recently my children dug out the old home movies to relive those times, and, although the younger ones, ages nine and eleven, weren't a part of them, they enjoyed watching. They also knew that they were creating memories for themselves in our present home. My blessing came in listening to their laughter, as they enjoyed these times of memories together . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Heeding Counsel
I was intrigued and thankful that my intermediary with our state law had been kind enough to share this truth. That was over thirteen years ago. Since then, it has changed my approach to homeschooling and opened my eyes to a new, and better way of learning . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
God's Word as a Filter
On the morning of the curriculum fair I was surprised to see that the speaker's topic was related to my parenting struggle. I took this as an answer to prayer. Unfortunately, as I sat listening, my spirit was greatly stirred and, instead of the peace and confirmation I expected, I experienced turmoil and confusion . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Mom's Transformation
Homeschooling is not just for the good of the children. I saw this clearly last weekend, when I attended my first homeschool conference of the year . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
A Second in Time
In reflection, I can see the bubble of Heavenly protection as The Lord had gently held us in the Palm of His Hand. He had covered us in His Mercy, and enveloped us with His Grace! When I think of what "could have happened," my emotions run rampant . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Multi-Tasking
Often times, as a homeschooling mother, I find myself "multi-tasking" . . . For multi-tasking to succeed, wisdom is needed to know my capabilities and that of my children . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
One Step at a Time
Today was one of those "tears below the surface days" – so much to do, so little time, and not enough of me to go around. All morning I suppressed tears of frustration and struggled with feelings of being overwhelmed . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
The Touch of Love
As we get caught up in the busyness of homeschooling, showing love will help us to remember that teaching our children at home is only one means to the end of raising children for the Lord . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Share the Burden, Lighten the Load
For days I had been waking up in the middle of the night with thoughts of my responsibilities, and the children's needs, bombarding me. I would break out in a sweat, in what I assumed to be an anxiety attack, and then toss and turn for what seemed like hours . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
The Wrong Basket
My mother's heart was greatly blessed, when I saw my son take what could have been an obstacle to victory, and use it as a tool to overcome his fear. Rather than get discouraged and loose his drive, Nathan's "wrong basket" ignited his determination to succeed . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Mis-Labels
My youngest is a highly energetic, little guy, always busy, always moving, and possessing an active imagination. Getting him to sit still while doing school is often a challenge . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Jesus' Resume`
Oftentimes, we will be blessed by seeing our children go on and excel. Sometimes, our children's actions may cause us to question, "Where did I go wrong?" But, at all times, if we have done our best in God's Grace, trusting Him for the results . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
An Awesome Labor
I remember one particular day that I had ventured into the grocery store with all my young children – baby, toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary ages – and the "frazzelment" in my spirit was apparently evident . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
The Guilt-Ridden Mother
Whenever I take a minute to read or do something unrelated to homeschooling, I feel guilty, as if I am responsible for committing a wrong-doing . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
To Do Valiantly
This is sometimes how we view homeschooling. Yes, it is a blessing and a calling of the Lord, but it is also a battle – a battle for our children's hearts, souls, and minds. This is why it should not be viewed as just another educational choice . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Half-Century Milestone
This year I reached a milestone in my life. I have lived a half-century. What an awesome thought! I still feel like eighteen inside, but my mirror shows differently . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Expect the Unexpected
This week I will log in the 90th day of our homeschooling year. Since our state law requires a 180-day, teaching accountability record, this means that my family is now half way through . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Resolutions and Resolve
New Year's Resolutions and I have never been successful. But with all good intentions, I still make them. Within a short amount of time, however, I break them, forsake them, and then get discouraged . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
The Heart of the Father
If I can receive this much joy from observing the love of my children and the appreciation for their well thought-out, and personally chosen gifts for each other, how much more must my Father above relish and anticipate MY response to the Sacrifice of HIS gift at Christmas to ME! . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
Mama's Time Out
I am not a person who can easily sit still. Always going, with plenty to do, I find it difficult to stay put and just do nothing. But the Lord has a remedy for my fault, and a sense of humor to go with it . . . READ DEVOTIONAL
