Do I Need A Personal Retreat?

 

 "Please pray for me," a lovely young homeschool mom asked me at church last week. "It's the middle of July and we are still finishing up last year's work. I feel so overwhelmed."

I smiled and offered a word of encouragement.

Later on that night, another mom contacted me on facebook. She was frantic. There was so much going on with discipline issues for her two sons that she could not focus on planning the next year.

"Please pray for me!" she begged.

I could go on and on. The economy has some of my friends who have been raising children, keeping their homes, and homeschooling at home for years, to have to get part-time jobs. Reluctantly, they left their home to earn some extra money. They continue to homeschool, but it is more challenging.

Another friend is dealing with health issues. Does she have cancer or is the lump benign? What do the homeschool books say about that?

Are You Ready?

It is almost time for the new school year to start, time to purchase school supplies, time to start a brand new school year. You may still be recovering from last year. In fact, your children may still be finishing up last year's schoolwork. You may be facing significant issues that are rocking your faith or testing your character.

We can shift into autopilot to do our lesson plans, purchase curriculum, buy supplies, and get everything ready. But is our heart ready for the new year.

I love homeschooling, but I can sometimes find it hard to focus the way I want to. In the past three years, I have lost my mother and father after helping them through difficult health issues. It was hard to take care of my parents and so much harder to lose them. I cannot tell you the miles and hours I logged in my minivan, traveling back and forth to be with my parents for another surgery or medical test. When I lost Mom and Daddy, the emotional pain was, and still is, intense. Nothing prepared me for the sorrow that I would feel after they died.

Homeschooling was hard. It was hard to focus sometimes. Homeschooling was not up to my usual standard of excellence and, often, I felt guilty. Can you homeschool effectively with a heavy heart?

My friend, Miriam, going through a painful relational struggle, admitted to me, "I don't even want to homeschool this year, but I know if I put my children in public school, things will just get worse for my family."

I nodded my head because I agree with Miriam. We sometimes think that everything needs to be "perfect" for us to homeschool effectively. We don't realize how much we are a blessing to our children by being with them 24/7, listening to their dreams, praying with them, reading the Bible together, showing affection, and modeling the Christian life for them.

When times are rough, stay the course. Read books together aloud. Focus on the most important subjects. Major on the majors and minor on the minors. But maybe, you need more than to just hang on. Maybe you need to be refreshed and encouraged by the Lord Himself. What about a personal retreat?

A Personal Retreat

To take a personal retreat, you need a quiet place for a few days, a comfortable place to stay, worship CD's, inspirational books, and your Bible.

Summer is a great time for a personal retreat because you can get last minute deals on nearby hotels who have cancellations. Or you might be able to stay a few nights in a friend's house while her family is on vacation.

Plan to spend plenty of time resting and sleeping so that your body is refreshed. You may consider fasting or, at least, eating healthy while you are away.Don't forget to exercise. Long walks along the beach or in the woods can refresh your spirit and get your blood circulating. 

Spend time worshiping with worship CD's and reading Scripture aloud. You might want to do a personal Bible study on a topic that interests you. Ask the Lord to refresh your spirit. Bring along books that will minister and encourage you--not books that will overwhelm you and add tons of stuff to your "to do" list.

Cover the school year ahead with prayer, committing it to the Lord and asking him to fill your heart with faith. Pray for His perspective and heart for your family and the teaching ahead.

Don't feel awkward or scared if you have never been alone with the Lord before. . .it is wonderful! You might just want to start with a day or half-day. Whatever you choose, get away with God and let him refresh your heart.