"Justa" Homeschool Mom

I heard a great message this weekend aimed at children’s ministry workers. The speaker encouraged us to never think that we are “justa” Sunday school teacher or “justa” nursery worker…that we are called by God for His purpose.

I know I have been there. Someone you just meet asks you what you do. A laundry list of thoughts run through my mind before I say, “I stay home with my kids” or “I homeschool my three littles.”

I KNOW the truth. That being a stay at home mom is the highest calling I could fathom, and the most difficult. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be with my children every day and guide them in the building of their character and academic education. I DO believe it is an amazingblessing. I believe that not one of those college and seminary classes was wasted. I KNOW that. And most of the time I feel that. But, sometimes? Sometimes I give in to the thought that I am “justa” homeschool mom.

It’s in those times, when I question and wonder, and even doubt, I must remind myself of God’s calling.

Hear, O Israel:The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on yourgates. Deut 6:5-9

I am NOT “JUSTA” homeschool mom. I am called out by God for a specific purpose. That purpose right now is primarily fulfilled by glorifying God in raising my children in godliness and homeschooling them to rise up and impact the kingdom of God. I get the blessing of teaching them as we rise up and as we lie down. I am called just as Moses was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. I am called just as Joshua was called to lead the Israelites into the promise land. I am called just as Rahab was called to hide the spies. And Jonah was called to warn the Ninevites. I am called for His purpose not mine.

Ten years ago this was not my dream. I had a completely different plan for my life. However, so much of that is just geography.

The heart of my calling is the same. To live passionately for His glory, leading others to the Father. And it starts in my home. I am thankful to look at those called before me—Moses, Rahab, Joshua, Jonah…. Moses was “Justa” whiner with a stutter. Joshua was “justa” youth. Rahab was “justa” prostitute. And Jonah was “justa” coward. I am happy to join the ranks of the “justa’s” that have been called by God to do great things in His strength. Thankfully, just like those “Justa’s” before us, God constantly refines us into the person He wants us to be. No longer a “justa,” but a child of His called according to His purpose.

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in

You will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" ~Phil. 1:6