Today’s Guest Post is from my dear, dear friend Rachel at Finding Joy. I met Rachel years ago and she never, ever forgets to send me a note on the anniversary of Emily’s Home-going…because that day is also Rachel’s birthday. Love you, Rachel!
Homeschooling with Joy
It’s September. The time of year when the excitement of a new homeschooling year fills our homes. There’s the curriculum, and the falling leaves, and eager (for the most part) kids, and fresh schedules. I love September. My spirit, energy and zest for life is high.
But, in a couple months it will be November and the daily grind will be setting in. Dishes, laundry, drilling those math facts – the ones that should have been known the first week of October, and coming up with a creative lunch, start to take over our time. There are lessons to drive through, driveways to clear, and kitchens to clean. After awhile all of the stuff to do, that daily grind, can pull the joy right out of our lives.
It doesn’t have to.
The joy can stay.
In fact, I believe that living a joyful life involves intentionally seeking, intentionally looking and intentionally finding joy. So often we think that we’ll be happy when this happens or if that is taken care of or when we’re over this health crisis or we’re out of this financial burden. But, friends, life is full of those deep valleys and burdens as well as those dry daily grind moments. It became clear to me several years ago that I was living life “on hold” waiting for the ideal circumstances — or at least what I thought to be the ideal circumstances — to play out. And I was unhappy. Sullen. Waiting around for my idea of the good life.
It was right in front of me.
I just wasn’t seeing it.
I remember making a choice to find joy in the every day little moments of life. And life? It started to become this beautiful journey. Even in the hard parts. Last winter, when my son Samuel was in the hospital after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I remember praying for joy. He was sleeping in my arms, peaceful, and I was rocking in a chair alone in the hospital with only the steady sounds of his iv and the whir of the fan in the corner. As I rocked, unsure of the future, I prayed for joy and peace to fill my heart. As the chair moved back and forth I became so grateful for the little blond boy who was safe in my arms sleeping. There was good in the midst of trial.
So how about homeschooling? It can get tough and wearing and there will be those days when you wonder what you’re doing. I know. I’ve been there. But, I didn’t want to stay there. So, instead, I prayed about homeschooling and mothering and joy. These are a couple ways that I keep my mind focused on living an intentional and joyful life – my prayer is that when you are in the depths of homeschooling that you can remember one of this tips and it will bless and encourage you.
1) The Little Things Matter. Keep your eyes open and peeled for the joy in the everyday. Maybe it’s the toddler who discovers the light switch or the six year old who made his own sandwich or your teenager who understands that complex geometry problem or the beauty in the rain falling out the window. There are glimmers of beauty in the every day moments. But, you have to be aware. Looking. And that takes practice.
2) Incorporate Prayer. Prayer isn’t meant to be just a morning or before bed or before dinner thing. It’s an all day, every day necessity. We choose to pray throughout the day and incorporate it into our lives. Constantly recognizing the need for our Savior and the blessings that He has given us increases gratitude and joy.
3) Character First, Academics Second. My childrens’ character comes first. If there is an attitude issue than that needs to take front seat to the math that has to (and will) get finished. So often, it’s a heart issue — meaning I need to step away from my agenda to train and encourage my little ones. When the heart is right learning comes easier.
4) Take time to laugh. Seriously. Stop what you’re doing and get down and play with your kids. Run in the sprinkler, find a great book, paint with watercolors — just start taking time to enjoy those gifts that the Lord has placed in front of you. Laughing is good medicine.
5) Establish a Routine. I’ve written about my schedule before — it’s flexible — but there still is an underlying sense of routine. Children thrive knowing where the fences, the boundaries are located. Having a routine creates security and movement throughout the day. And because of that there is more time spent together and productive versus trying to figure out what to do next.
You can do it. I know you can.
And on those days where it feels like it’s too much the first thing I’d tell you to do is to stop whatever your doing, step back, and pray. Even if it’s at 10:11 in the morning. Just stop. Pray and ask our gracious Father to fill you, your children, and your home with His joy. Real, authentic joy.
I’m going to end by sharing a favorite verse of mine in Psalms. Every year our family chooses a life verse — a verse to pray and meditate on throughout the year. Several years ago we settled on Psalm 65:11. That section of Scripture has encouraged me so much throughout my journey. I am blessed by David’s words as He describes our Savior and Lord as the source of all joy. It is a beautiful reminder for me to seek Him and to view this world, that He created, with eyes of joy.
You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain,
for so you have prepared it.
You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges,
softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.
You crown the year with your bounty;
your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
the hills gird themselves with joy,
the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing together for joy.
Psalm 65:9-13 (ESV)
Wendy Gunn says
Loved this, Rachel. I, too, always started September full of excitement and…joy! But, as soon as mid-October arrived, and the dark, gloomy days outside, I’d have trouble keeping that perspective. This is great to print out and keep up on the fridge:)
Blessings,
Wendy
rachel @ finding joy says
Thanks Wendy. And it has been a bit gloomy out there this week, hasn’t it? I need to print it out and put it on my fridge to remind myself of it some days!!
Theresa says
This is wonderful, Rachel.
With your encouragement and my own determination I am getting to this place. I was always waiting for the “ideal life” to happen and I realized I was looking at it all wrong. My motto now is to live intentionally and authentically in the moment and as true to myself as I can!
Thank you for this post!
rachel @ finding joy says
Love your motto on living intentionally. It’s interesting the shift in perspective that happens when one realizes that they’re living life “on hold” — and the gratitude that results in recognizing the beauty and joy in the every day.
Thanks for such a kind comment.
Nicole Auld says
Amazing so encouraging keep shining for HIM!
KellySinging says
Rachel, this is beautiful. You are anointed to help others find joy. Keep planting those seeds.
Tiffany says
Great post and one I needed to read this morning. Love this picture of the kids’ little feet. So precious!
Emily Fay says
Thank you for this post – wonderful!! It is always the simple joys in life that make it worth every moment ~
Marcee says
Loved reading your post this morning! Such a blessing.
Nicki says
Such a small world! Rachel lives only a few towns over from us! You two have both been such a blessing throughout my journey.
Nicole says
Since we are a new homeschooling family EVERYTHING is new and exciting for us! I’ve been really paying attention to this time in our homeschooling adventure because I can see how the ” new-ness” can fade! Thank you for the reminder to see joy!
rachel @ finding joy says
Blessings on your new venture! As with everything there are good days and bad days — it’s keeping those hard days in perspective with the good that helps keep the joy. And to laugh. Lots.
Blessings!
Carla B says
Thanks. I needed this today! Our homeschooing year is off to a rough start…and the temptation to despair and give up is high.
rachel @ finding joy says
Oh, my I get that — when I originally wrote this our homeschool year had just got started — little did I know that less than a week later my little Samuel would come down with pneumonia — causing me to re-examine my own words. 🙂
Blessings to you in today.
Rachel
Kelli says
So encouraging!! Thank you so much for sharing!! Just what I needed today as the “mundane” has already started to become overwhelming. Thank you for writing what the Lord puts on your heart and for being such a blessing to others, especially me!
Gaby says
Amy, I found the practical steps in the “grouchy girls” post so helpful. Can you tell me a bit about training character; is it similar to the strategies you described in grouchy (which is attitude I guess)?
I learn so much from your blog!
Donielle Schipper says
Thank you so much for such an encouraging post! We all need to be reminded about bringing the joy back into homeschooling every now and then!
I love the verse in Psalms, too.
Think I might have to start picking a verse to live by. I like that idea!
Stacie says
I needed to read that today. Thank you! I just posted lately about my discouragement in this area.
Pamela Medas says
Perfectly said and very encouraging. I am a brand new homeschooler of 5th and 7th grade boys. I have only experienced momentary joy since I made the decision to homeschool last March.