I ended the last blog by stating that God placed a homeschooling family in our church at just the right time. So, that is where we will begin. I remember that after surrendering to God’s plan for our children, I realized that I didn’t have any background in teaching. I was reminded by well intending family that the kids wouldn’t have friends, and they hoped i was doing what was best for them. This fed opportunities from the enemy for me to believe lies, such as, “ I am not equipped for this” and “I dont want to mess up my kids.” However, in God’s grace and prompting, I knew this was what was best for Eli and soon to be Eden.

But I did have to admit, I had no direction on where to start besides I knew that I had to teach the Word ( Side note that is really all they need!!). So, I asked God, as I sit here to type, “Lord, remind me, could the journey be still documented on Facebook messenger when I reached out to her?” Well guess what, it was, and on May 13, 2018 this is what I messaged this dear homeschool mother, and sister in Christ, who God sent (I believe to guide me, as I had prayed for):

“sorry so late just curious on what would you use to start out homeschooling looking into Abeka but not sure where to start or what I’m doing, feeling called to do so but still praying and waiting for Danes heart to get there too….”

Her reply:
“I will be praying for you and him. I love that you are starting with the Lord’s calling. That’s how it was for me. Would love to extensively visit with you about curriculum (one of my top 5 favorite subjects).” (2 weeks later, by the way, we received confirmation at the park)

That is all it took to start our relationship. I remember meeting with her for the first time in her home. I was so nervous and was trying to overcome the feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. I was fearful that I would be judged because my kids were not perfect, nor extremely well behaved (which they still are not). I entered that home with welcoming arms, with sincereness that she was just there for what I needed and prayed for! We were in each others lives for some time after this!

What keeps coming to mind is when I went to her home so we could go over a study that was being prepared for a women’s conference. We sat on the couch, and she first asked me about homeschooling.
I looked at her and poured out my heart that I knew I could not struggle with trying to perfect my son. I tearfully said, “ I have to remember that I didn’t do this to make a straight A student.” She looked at me, and I could tell she may have had some of the same struggles for her eyes began to water. She agreed and encouraged me.

I tell this because lately, the Lord reminds me of the preparation. That we are not called to be prefecting others, but be preparing them. That we must be reminded frequently, we are not in control, He is. I remember listening to a man talk on a podcast recently, and it spoke to my heart, “We are not responsible for the results, just what we bring Him.” I cried (I’m a cryer) and said thank You Lord for reminding me! It is the offering that He is pleased with, not the controlling.

Rom 12:1  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Rom 12:2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The word “prepare” has a synonym that the Lord guided me to use in a recent speaking event. That word was cultivate. He reminded me of this as I struggled to speak on the topic of “Kingdom Preparing at Home”. I didn’t want to speak on it, to be honest. I was again allowing feelings of, “I’m not adequate for this”, “There is someone who does this better who can present it.”, to creep in. But this is when the Lord reminded me that it is because I am inadequate, which is why He chose me. Why He uses me in my weaknesses, because He all the more receives the Glory. Momentary pause (Selah) for praise! “I praise You, Lord, thank You Jesus for using this weak and tired mama!”

Good soil (a prepared heart) is made by us obeying Jesus. It is not made by us. The seeds are the Word of God, which is planted by the Sower, our Lord Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit. What I am responsible for is the tending to what has been planted.

(See sidebar: there is an acronym that the Lord help me develop so I could relay what it looks like to walk in or know what truths we are to stand on, in cultivating our children.)

Remember we are suppose to be weak because if so the flesh is being weakened and the Holy Spirit is given room to make us stronger!! It is in our weakness that brings us to our knees before the perfect and holy God! Then when we receive His grace it enables us to do what He has for us to do until we meet Him again!

2Co 12:9 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 of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG.