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This is for those who might wonder what HOD looks like long term or wonder if it is really for them or even those who wonder if HOD is just for a season. Or maybe even for those who need to remember why a bit.

A while back I had a big list of unit study type Christian curriculum. Many of them fit my "should" list in my head of what should I teach my kids to fill my pride, my goals that are not maybe even in line with God's and mostly quite honestly the ones that fed my fears of being "enough". I was not a CM type educator though I found at the time oddly those strange methods worked , it was not my heart. I did two things that really have paid off more than I ever knew they would.

I made a couple of lists. The first list was of what hsing programs I thought were possibility to use based on their godly content and reviews as well as what I thought maybe could fit. Then I made another list with two columns. One column was the goals I had for my kids in hsing them and what mattered to me. The next was what, when I stood before God, would He most likely ask me to give an account for in terms of teaching my kids and if I was honest what would His goals be for them. I prayed for God to show me what He wanted for my kids and what would really be on His list. Then I prayed over those lists heavily and I crossed out anything on my list that I felt did not match the God list and then looked at which curriculum fit what was left. It was a slam dunk HOD and I have to tell you that HOD at that time was the one I had the absolute most fear about using and was the most unlike what I thought was me, until God showed me differently. And I want you to know the other thing I asked God was show me what I can use for the long haul so that I can have a solid path year after year and not be cast to and fro each year. In other words I feel God did not answer just for the year but for our hsing journey. This was before there was a HOD high school btw so just look how faithful God is on that!

That decision and putting it up to God has blessed me now for several years. God knew so much better than I did what my family needed. He knew my future and He knew our struggles. He knew what would speak to my kids hearts and He knew what would lead them closer to Him while it covered my desires of what I wanted them to know in a way I never could have guessed it would. He also knew how HOD would speak to my heart and I can't tell you how many times the verse or lesson is for them and I know God really had it for me at the perfect moment in my life long before I even knew there would be a need.

So if you are wavering or unsure, I encourage you to make that list and pray over it. And ask Him to answer you for a path not just a quick fix. I have found that one action has been on the top of the list of best things I ever did hsing my kids. It has blessed us a million fold. I know God is faithful and I know He can use HOD to bless many families as He has mine, though I have to admit there are times I feel He did it all just for me.

Just thought I would share today.

Thank you for sharing! I was blessed by your post.

I was also blessed and really needed to "hear" it. Thanks!

Thank you for the inspirational post! I need all the inspiration I can get right now!!

water2wine - this was such an inspiration to me to read this! You are truly such an amazing lady. I know you depend on the Lord every single day, and your words here are such an encouragement. Making lists about why we are homeschooling, goals we have, and how we plan to keep Christ at the center are so important to do, or we can waver when the the going gets tough... or worse, have a 'keeping up with the Jones' syndrome, only in regard to homeschooling (i.e. we'd better add 'x' to our day because Johnny Jones down the street is doing it, and he is soooo smart/athletic/well-versed/likable/handsome, etc.). Having a list such as this and praying about it has given me contentment in what we are doing. It has helped me keep Christ at the center. It has also helped me say 'no' to some things that have come our way that are not on the list without feeling bad or unsure or tempted. Thank you so much for sharing this, as it will certainly be an incredible help to others like me!

In Christ,
Julie

water2wine wrote: Then I made another list with two columns. One column was the goals I had for my kids in hsing them and what mattered to me. The next was what, when I stood before God, would He most likely ask me to give an account for in terms of teaching my kids and if I was honest what would His goals be for them. I prayed for God to show me what He wanted for my kids and what would really be on His list. Then I prayed over those lists heavily and I crossed out anything on my list that I felt did not match the God list and then looked at which curriculum fit what was left.
Just thought I would share today.

This is awesome, thank you!! I love how you made a specific list of things you felt God wanted you to teach your kids, then prayed heavily over it, and crossed off the things you thought He didn't want on that list. You are such an inspiration of seeking after God's own heart!

Thank you for this inspiring post. I know HOD is for us. God has given me that peace since the day I found it, but not in such a specific way. I know I need to pray more specifically, so this peace can settle deeper into my heart. We will be starting Bigger in 9 days! Can't wait! Thank you for reminding me that our hsing journey is more than fulfilling 180 days or covering certain subjects. I've always appreciated the things HOD has been teaching Angelina, but we have a tendency to go through the days and 'get school done', without really keeping our focus on HIS purpose in what we are doing. Thank you for helping me to refocus and get our new year beginning on solid ground.