The other day after we finished a tough homeschool day, I was thinking about our homeschool journey. I was thinking about the importance of academics, but that there are so many things I want my children to learn that have nothing to do with academics and everything to do with living life:

1. You are God’s most prized possession.  “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:13-16.
2. You are cherished by your parents. “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5.
3. Don’t compromise God’s Word in order to get ahead in life or because you are worried about your future. As long as they put God first, He will take care of the rest. “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31-33.
4. No matter how you justify it, wrong is wrong. It is never right to break God’s laws. “For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.” 1 Peter 3:17.
5. It’s okay to admit your not perfect. There will be times when you will fail. God knows when you are trying your best to live for Him, but seem to fall short. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23.
6. Our troubles are brief and fleeting. With God’s help you will persevere. Cling to His mighty hand. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
7. This world is not our home. Our home is in Heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ. “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” Hebrews 13:14; “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
8. You are a warrior for God. Remember the true stories in God’s Word of David, Daniel, and countless others. He will equip you to fight. “For You have girded me with strength for battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.” Psalm 18:39
9. God created us as unique, set apart individuals. He did not create us to be like everyone else or to fit into the world. It’s okay to be a peculiar. In fact, we are called to be so. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14; “And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments.” Deuteronomy 26:18.
10. No matter what, I will always love you and God loves you more than I do. “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8; “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God. who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

Children, hear and utilize these words of our Lord. I pray everyday that He will empty me of myself, and fill me with His Holy Spirit so He can guide and love you through me. It is my honor and privilege and the joy of my life to be your mommy. Thank you, Father, for the gift of these precious children.

Parents, I pray for your journey and for your children as well. May they learn these valuable lessons to last them their whole life through.