If I Had Known

• If I had known that teaching my children would be so much fun, I would have started homeschooling sooner.
• If I had known my children were going to grow as fast as older women said they would, I would have treasured our time together even more.
• If I had known that my son was going to become an archeologist and dig in the dirt for a profession, I would have never worried about removing the stains when washing his clothes.
• If I had known that all my children would go on to receive college degrees, I would have never second guessed my curriculum choices and teaching abilities.
• If I had known how unimportant it was to keep a spotless house, I would have gone to bed on time instead of spending countless hours cleaning, organizing, and tidying up for the next day.
• If I had known how living on one income would build a solid faith in God, I would have gladly lived with less without all the complaining.
• If I could only experience the thrill of one job to last an entire lifetime, I would homeschool my children all over again.

Whatever lessons you’ve learned from homeschooling so far, you’re incredibly blessed to teach your children. Praise God for the wonderful opportunity to be both your child’s parent and teacher! “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Lord, I lift up a grateful heart of praise and thank You for all my homeschooling joys. As we begin a new school year, please help me appreciate the benefits of homeschooling even more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

~Daily Focus
Alpha Omega Publications

Morning Prayer

Here we are, starting the new year. My prayer this year is to stay focused. One thing I changed at the end of this last year was my prayer time. Wow, what a blessing it has been. For the last few years I would pray for the Lord to wake me in the morning so that I may spend time with him. Every morning he would keep his promise and gently wake me, however I would look at the clock and apologize, knowing he would forgive me and fall back asleep. For the rest of the day I did not feel complete, I felt guilty. And of course I struggled through my daily tasks.

"Whenever I happen to be prevented by the press of duties from observing my hour of prayer, the entire day is bad for me" ~Martin Luther

Can you relate? This last year I would awake between 5:30am and 6:30am and spend an hour or 2 in prayer and Bible readings. Yes, if you asked me a couple of years ago I would of argued with you. Way too early! Although I have been completely blessed. The Lord has blessed my days with my children. I am so much more relaxed through the day, Thank you Lord!

"The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last the remainder of the day." ~E.M. Bounds

Jesus, our example, practiced morning devotions.
"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day. He went out and departed into a solitary place, and then prayed." ~Mark 1:35

My prayer this year is that the Lord continues to rise me early every morning so that I may enjoy His beautiful morning in His Word. Also, that you will come to rise every morning with me and spend time in our Lord's Word together. Your day will be blessed!

"The morning is the gate of the day, and it should be well guarded with prayer. It is one end of the thread on which the day's actions and strung, and should be well knotted with devotion. If we felt the majesty of life we should be more careful of its mornings." ~Charles Spurgeon

Take this challenge with me, pray the Lord awakes you in the morning to spend time with him. Before we sit down and teach our children and take on the daily tasks, spend time with our Father.

"Don't pray when you feel like it, have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees." ~Corrie ten Boom

In His Name,
Cherie

Clutter

Hello Ladies,

Well here we are getting ready for a new school year. This year I pray for a stress free year. I have so many ideas I want to be able to do all of them with no worry of household chores. I have 2 more weeks before I will start homeschooling my children and I have decided to go and declutter my home. I have moved here 8 months ago and still have boxes to unpack, yikes.

"A house that is cluttered is usually lived in by people whose minds are also cluttered, who need to simplify their lives. This begins with simplifying and clarifying their thinking. Mind and life need to be freed from the 'disorder of the unnecessary.'" ~Elizabeth Elliot

I pray for a clear mind this year so I may focus on my children and give them all the attention needed. I will take an hour a day or so and go through each closet, cabnet, and drawer and thin out and organize my home.

"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." ~Mathew 19:21

I have so many unnecessary things that do me no good in this world. I have decided to make a pile of donations and give to a charity, hmm maybe I will have a yard sell and give the money earned to the Lord. I have not decided which would be more beneficial to the Lord in the day we live in. I will be praying for this.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." ~Romans 12:2

My goal is to bring peace in my home so when we open a drawer or a closet we are not overwhelmed by the visual chaos. I am sure this is going to be difficult and there may be spiritual warfare, the enemy wants us to be in spiritual chaos. I will keep the lord by my side during this process and close my eyes and say good bye to the unnecessary.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." ~1 Corinthians 14:33

I challenge you to take this task with me.

In His Name,
Cherie