I don’t know about you, but I find it exceedingly easy to give into discouragement this time of year. This time of year, more than any other, I feel like I’m swimming upstream. All the choices we have made for our family, from our family size, to the way our family was formed (International Adoption), the schooling choices we have made, even down to the food choices we make, all seem so different to the mainstream. Some days it makes me feel like handing the kids the tv remote and crawling back in bed with a bag of cookies and a book. That’s what many people assume us homeschoolers do anyway right?
I’m good a blaming the weather. Winter in the Midwest is long, cold, snow-filled (most years anyway), and filled with many days in a row where the sun refuses to appear. We’re cooped up in the house way too much. It’s easy to feel like better weather is the answer, but I suspect it’s a grass is greener issue. Maybe people who live where it’s perpetually nice have their own disrupters this time of year, “if only we could take better field trips”, “if only I would have purchased the other curriculum”, and on and on.
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that February and March are notoriously hard months for homeschoolers, I imagine public schools too, as they now all have a winter break as well as a spring break. The holidays are over and done with and the excitement of getting back to the books for a new semester has worn off. Spring still seems to be too far away. We’re worried that we haven’t accomplished enough things this year, or the right things, or it seems like nobody remembers anything at all! I do know that discouragement is not from the Lord.
Our God is a God of hope, love and encouragement, not a God of discouragement, drudgery, and boredom. Jesus didn’t spend 40 days in the desert fighting temptation from satan, then perish on the cross and ultimately rise at Easter, so I could feel sorry for myself and eat cookies in bed. No, I do believe he has loftier goals for myself and my family – for your family too. It’s easy to lose sight and to wallow in discouragement but we need to cling to hope that Easter is around the corner.
I do know that perseverance is key. Here are a few verses of scripture that offer me hope and encouragement and keep me away from the bag of cookies! I hope they do the same for you.
“When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.” Psalm 34:18
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“I command you: be firm and steadfast! Do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
“I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:14
Jen is a wife to one amazing husband and mom to six energetic kids. Visit Forever, For Always, No Matter What where she blogs about their Catholic faith, homeschooling and adoption.
Jessica says
Thank your for this reminder! We’ve slowed down our homeschool pace just a bit this week because it just seems we need a break. Our spring break is right around the corner, and I’m so looking forward to it!
Jen says
You are welcome! Enjoy your spring break 🙂
Kristina @From City Corporate to Suburb Mama says
Such a good reminder! Spring break is coming and I think it will be great to break out of our normal routine! It’s hard though to feel stuck in that rut. I’ve been working to overcome those same feelings recently!
http://www.citycorporatetosuburbmama.com
Christine says
The discouragement waxes and wanes with the seasons, and so should our activities. I always find I’m really motivated right after the holidays and then slump around end of February or so. We were so fortunate to have nice weather this last couple of weeks that we scrapped the academics and went outside a lot! Now we’re able to be back inside and get work done. Thanks for the encouragement and the scriptures!!
Jen says
Christine, we have had some lovely weather too and it was a nice break. I agree that being out in the sunshine can do wonders! Now it’s back to reality with our normal spring, but gives us encouragement that better weather is around the corner and keeps us motivated with our book work. Thanks for reading!
Joy says
Thank you for the scriptures Jen! We sailed right along through January and February. Then for some reason have hit a brick wall the last couple of weeks. The break was needed and has been nice, but I am so ready to get back on track! Have a blessed day!