Homeschool Prayer Challenge Week 20: Let’s Slow Down & Enjoy

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We’re 20 weeks into our series of praying for our homeschools – I’m so thankful you are joining me! You can learn more about the series here. We’ll pray about a new area of our homeschool journey each week and dig into God’s Word with daily devotional reflections. Find this week’s free printable at the end of this post.

I don’t know about you, but my tendency is to always want to be busy. I have a hard time slowing down, because as a mom (a homeschool mom at that!), there is always something that needs to be done. In the Mary and Martha situation, I (not very proudly) can really relate to Martha.

A few weeks ago, I was getting everything prepped for a big family vacation we were taking. It had been years since we’d gone on a vacation together, and we had never done one this big. My mission was to – for once! – get everything on my to-do list checked off, so that I wouldn’t have to worry about a thing on vacation. I could finally take some time to relax!

Guess what? I did get everything checked off. But I bet you can also guess this…there were still things that crept up that needed to be done. Oh, I tried my best not to worry about them. But it can feel like such a never-ending cycle some days.

It’s so tempting to continually be pulled into the mindset of always needing to “do”. Something always needs to be cleaned. School work always needs to be graded/planned/etc. Food needs to be shopped for or prepped or served. So what do we do, mamas, when it doesn’t feel like we can give ourselves permission to just slow down and relax?

Sometimes we just need the reminder that the world is not going to stop spinning if we stop moving. That whether or not we realize it at the moment, there is a difference between useful and needful actions.

Sometimes I have to remind myself that writing the email that I want to send this week is useful for my professional goals, but my kids are needing quality time with me at the moment. Or that I could say yes to one more opportunity, but it cuts into my already busy schedule and interferes with my time for daily bible study.

What is useful and what is necessary? Or even better, what is temporary and what is eternal?

Far too many things promise us purpose in our lives, and give us the illusion of joy. In the end, however, Jesus is the only answer, the only way we are ever going to have any purpose or joy.

This week is probably going to be just as busy as always. But we need to make sure we keep our priorities straight, dear friends. If you are feeling constant pressure, if always racing around is stealing joy from your homeschool, I want you to remember this week who goes before you.

God is not rushed. He is not frantic. He – the Creator of the heavens and the earth – made space for rest. And not only to rest, but to look at His creation and see that it was good. God created to enjoy His creation. And I believe He wants us to find time to relax and enjoy our homeschooling and our kids.

Let’s slow down this week and notice how God is working in our lives. Let’s put our security in Him alone, not in our ability to accomplish it all ourselves.

I need this reminder more than ever right now. And if you do too, please know that you are not alone. Your Heavenly Father sees you and knows what you’re going through, and wants you to release any burden that is keeping you from walking closely with Him and living life to the full. So, homeschool mama, whether you are in the middle of your homeschool year or nearing the end of the school season, let’s pray for rest in our Lord and Savior, who promises to refresh our souls when we seek Him. Let’s make time for what is necessary this week, and enjoy our kids, our homeschools, and our amazing God who is always in the thick of it with us.

Prayer For This Week

Heavenly Father,

This week has been busy. As I strive to finish my to-do list each day, help remind me of your sovereignty. Though I may rush and worry, you are limitless, and you are always working in my life to bring about your will at just the right time. Help me to trust in you more and release my daily plans to you.

It can be so easy to let the business steal my joy in our homeschool, but I know you promise me rest for my weariness when I seek you first. Help me slow down this week and truly soak in the blessings right in front of me.

Thank you for being the ultimate source of my rest and my peace, and for caring about even the little details of my life. Thank you for my kids, and for the precious time we have together. Restore my peace this week and give me wisdom to navigate my to-do list each day in a way that brings glory and honor to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Join the Challenge

Finally, if you want to join in on the challenge from the very beginning, make sure to sign up below, and you’ll receive a printable prayer and journal pages each week, right to your inbox. Join in any time, and you’ll start the following Monday with Week #1!

Simply click below, follow the instructions, and you’re in.

You’ll also be signed up for the Blessed Homeschool Newsletter and receive my FREE Scripture Memory Cards (designed to complement the prayer challenge) as a bonus.

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