Monday, October 15, 2012

31 days of Homeschool Encouragement - Putting on the armor


Throughout the month of October - I'm joining The Nester  and some 1200 bloggers to bring you the 31 days of . . . series. It made sense for me to write about  31 days of Homeschool Encouragement. 

I'm sharing encouragement for the homeschool mom (which often applies to any mom) on topics from keeping up with the house to dealing with less than cooperative children.

You can read a bit about how we spendour homeschool days here.
Read on the topic of bad days here, and the Top 10 Ways to change the atmosphere in your homeschool here.

This weekend we looked at keeping an eternal perspective. In the day to day activities of parenting and homeschooling. It's easy to get caught up in the moment - become frustrated with our child's behavior. Please read more about that here.

If our focus is on the eternal, then our parenting takes on a different outlook. It becomes less about the behavior right in front of us and becomes more about training, teaching, rearing our children to keep their eyes on Him. They have a spiritual battle ahead, and to prepare them for that is our true mission. To prepare them to seek what it is that God has for them becomes the goal.

We do that by teaching them to put on the "whole armor of God". We do that by filling them with Scripture, love and encouragement, pointing them to Jesus.



We have daily bible time in our home. The boys are learning bible verses each week - committing them to memory - learning how to apply them to their daily lives. They use the verses for handwriting and cursive practice in homeschool.

We made our own little soldier on craft paper. We drew and cut out the helmet, shield, sword, belt and so forth - out of foam craft paper. As we added each piece of the armor of God - we learned more about what that means and how they can apply these things in their own lives. It's important to me for them to understand as we are reading the bible - that we aren't merely talking about stories from long ago - but about spiritual truths and how they can use it to be who God wants them to be.


Ephesians 6:10-18


The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.



I don't know where you are in your life today. I don't know your struggles in parenting and with homeschool. But, I can tell you without hesitation - I never thought I could homeschool all 3 of our boys. Our youngest has had challenges to overcome that might just blow your mind. God is walking us through this process, He is carrying us through the hard times - and He is healing my son. He working in the hearts and lives of each of our boys and is growing their mother as well. 

Our son, our baby - was adopted at 8 months old. He has been through more than we will ever know - including damage from hard drugs in uterine. I cannot begin to tell you the struggles - daily struggles we continue to go through because of these damages - and more. My point is not to complain - but to tell you - God is faithful. He does not allow these challenges in our lives, without giving us what we need to get through them. If you fill up on His Word. If you fill your children with His Word and lean on Him through it all - He will be faithful to carry you through. He can be glorified in your life, in your homeschool - if you seek Him daily and teach these things to your children. 

Deuteronomy 11:19 

Teach them to your children,
talking about them when you sit
at home and when you walk along
the road, when you lie down and 
when you get up.


Just over a year ago - I would have told you without hesitation - "I am not capable of teaching all of my children at home - boy #3 is simply too difficult - it's too hard".  Now I can tell you without a doubt, God is faithful - if you follow Him. He will direct you,  He will heal, He is able. 

God wants to work a miracle in your home - as He is in ours. Lean on Him daily - and He will be faithful!

Counting His gifts today:
* His faithfulness 
* His perfect timing
* His strength when I have none
* His healing love
* forgiveness
* seeing my children get to know Him
* small miracles & not so small in our daily life
* birthday boys - joyful celebrations with family
* family visiting
* the relationships my parents have with each of my children!
What are you thankful for today? Are you seeing Him at work in your life? Do you need to? 

Please let me know if you find these reminders and information useful or if there is something else you are looking for. I am happy to share what God has led us through (some pretty big challenges) and how He continues to carry us through each day. I am happy to pray with you and offer support. 

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