School has started, and the craziness of getting kids where they need to be, at the right time, and with the right stuff can be daunting. It seems there is no warm-up—no preparation or sufficient period of transition—between summer and fall. We wake up one morning, and somehow, we are thrust into a new year. Our kids are one year older and that much closer to leaving the nest.
As the husband of a dedicated homeschool mom, I watch the tectonic shift occur. There are no more late nights and sleeping in, no more endless playdates. The freedom of summer quickly disappears. Almost overnight, schedules are crafted, while the personal disciplines of my wife and four kids appear to wrestle against every ounce of desire for more slumber and lazy mornings. The rhythm of school-year structure, with its relentless cadence, echos through the clanging of alarm clocks, and with all the strength that they can muster, the kids faithfully rise and engage in their learning activities.
To say that I am grateful for my wife would be a gross understatement. As the priest and leader of our home, I rely heavily on her, the beautiful caretaker of our family. Her responsibilities to care for and nurture our kids are just as important and challenging as mine to be the primary spiritual and financial provider. With such delicate precision and faithfulness, she pours all her energy into the education and counseling of our children.
I recognize that there is a hope—a deep desire—that the energy you are spending is not done so in vain. There are days that you may find yourself wondering if the kids are “getting it” and if you are making a difference. Sometimes, it feels that no matter how hard you try, you question your impact on your children’s lives. As a mom, there is a tremendous longing within you to know that, while things are currently difficult and it often seems there are far more questions than answers, everything turns out okay in the end.
Life has thrown its boundless trials at you. There is the juggling of schedules and wondering how you will get everyone to their destinations on time. Unknown bills and other financial stresses pile up. Expectations for your time and commitment seem to multiply. Everything that you seem to work so hard to keep together feels so fragile, as if with slightest touch of the wind, everything would come crashing to pieces.
Yet, amidst all of these trials and stresses, one thing remains. In all these things, you have an amazing strength to continue—to press on. You will emerge victoriously. However, this is not of your own doing, but through a power far greater than what you can summon through your own strength. The love that you constantly lavish upon your family is but a fragment of the love Christ pours over you. In all these things, you are a conqueror because of Him, not of your own abilities. And his love for you is evidence of that promise.
It’s surprising how often we forget these simple truths. As we are locked away in our closets before the day begins, we find ourselves reminiscing about God’s love and faithfulness. These thoughts are so elementary, yet peaceful and life-giving. Then, the kids awake, and the relentless battles seem to begin. Too soon, God’s love becomes an afterthought. Questions start to form and linger in your mind: “Is this all that there is? Is this season relegated to merely trying to make it through each day? Is there a purpose here? Furthermore, am I still growing in intimacy with the Father? While I want to believe I’m moving ahead, life seems to tell me otherwise.”
All of these questions are normal, and they are part of your *spiritual formation*. These questions and so many others impact not only how you mother your kids, but also how you respond to God and others as a disciple of Jesus. Discipled Church is excited to release a powerful new 8-week group study, Growing in Spiritual Formation, to aid you as you progress through your spiritual journey. Explore various stages of the journey at levels most believers never venture. Be challenged to think beyond traditional perspectives on what it means to make disciples. Attain deeper levels of spiritual and emotional healing and freedom that many believers have never truly experienced. Finally, find a rich and compassionate intimacy with God that is sustained throughout the chaos of being the best mom to your family.
