It’s the last day that I officially have 8 children (along with a baby on my lap) doing their studies at the table with me, and I think it’s been the fullest schedule it has ever been.
When the older ones were doing their work at a sweet little round table we had for school hours, I would have only 6 or 7 of them learning at once- and it felt like a lot then.
I now can see the peak of this hill I have been climbing. I am watching the sun shine on this new season with #3 graduating, one more on her heels, and the next following quickly behind her. 
It goes so fast.
I haven’t arrived at “this is easy.” It probably will never be easy, but I have found a rhythm that works for us. Some days are smooth sailing. Other days are more of a challenge to get 8 of them through every single subject every single day.
I remember lots of overwhelmed moments, with baby spit up, several changes of diapers or clothing in between snacks and meals to prepare, potty training a toddler right alongside learning phonics with a new reader, not to mention the piles of dishes, laundry, and normal house duties that were never ending… All the while making sure everyone had balanced meals, plenty of outdoor time, and that I didn’t forget to iron Jason’s work shirts.
My nearest neighbors, whom we see almost daily, chuckles and says, “Whew, He gives em’ to the young for a reason.” as she watched me run from the kitchen to the potty-trainer, back to phonics, then to change the laundry.
I know she was remembering her early days of being a mother and she would share stories with me of her experiences. She is right though! God knows we were made for such a season.
Every mother experiences moments when our perspective becomes clouded or a discouraging thought may come with all the minuscule details of what is required of us each day.
Do you clean all the bathrooms during naptime or do you sit to do schoolwork with the one who struggles in math?
I have beat myself up for placing importance on certain priorities over here but not getting it all done over there.
Certain seasons of life can be overwhelming until we can step back, evaluate realistic expectations, and giving grace where it’s needed.
I got better at recognizing we were going to forgo (fill in the blank) so we can focus on (fill in the blank.) And that saved me from preforming a juggling act of wearing too many hats at once. I knew I couldn’t possibly get it all done in one day, so why was I continuing to have that high bar?
I learned to have a more balanced approach, a season of growing, a faithful journey that I’m still on, and one I’m thankful I didn’t give up on either.
The Lord has been gracious with me. He has seen me through so much.
25 years later, I see the bigger purpose in being their teacher and the keeper of my home. And it feels so good to be exactly where God wants us.
He is faithful. He is right beside us during every hour of every day, and giving me the strength throughout the late nights with a newborn.
He cares for us even when we are overwhelmed. He provides for us so we are able manage our home. He is with us in our struggles and sorrows. But He also rejoices with us in times of celebration.
As we change with the seasons, I’m grateful He doesn’t. He is the same today as He was when our great-great grandmothers were juggling toddlers and babies, balancing her duties, ironing their husband’s shirts, managing their gardens, and preparing meals for their families.
He is the same God that created you for a divine purpose in your home, with your family, with your specific circumstances, at this exact time in history.
A mother’s efforts never end and it is wonderful.
Seasons change. They come and they go.
Sometimes we start over in areas we mess up in. Sometimes we get it right. And when we learn to let go of the things that do not matter this side of heaven, we grow.
I can not imagine life any differently than being required to do something hard and growing from it, no matter what it is. The requirements from us to be a homeschooling mother is a very tall order, but I know He will be faithful if He gave the order.
Galatians 6:9 encourages us to not growing weary in well doing. We will see the fruit in due season.
When the overwhelm mother sees piles in the laundry room, I pray Jesus finds her in those quiet spaces to give encouragement.
I pray He is a comfort to her weary soul when she finds the duties of the home lonely.
I pray that she can create a place of peace instead of chaos.
I pray she builds a home where she can have fun and laugh at the days to come.
My prayer for her is that she experiences contentment in what she has been blessed with knowing she will grow as she climbs.
In Christ,
Natalie