We ended 2020 with a challenge to let go of our past, whether that be a good past or a negative past. While a great pedigree can no doubt help in the future, it is by no means a guarantee for future success. Similarly, just because we made some poor choices yesterday that put us behind the 8 ball temporarily doesn’t negate another opportunity that will put us in a good position for tomorrow.
We know that some people with a personal agenda are trying to revise American history, showcasing all the things that we got wrong but refusing to acknowledge all the good things we have accomplished. Who can live under that type of scrutiny? Surely not the revisionists themselves. Hypocrisy has no honor. While trying to rewrite our past history to serve personal agendas is inauthentic, it does serve as a strong reminder that we do have the power to change our future. As Winston Churchill said, “…Failure is not fatal…”
2020 was a difficult year on many fronts. The good news is, we survived to fight another year. Some, no doubt, suffered painful loss. Others had great gain, fortunate to already be in position to capitalize on the cards dealt to our nation. (For instance, Zoom.) Others quickly changed and adapted to make the best out of bad times. Truly, while some see obstacles others see opportunities.
The same is true in our family life. When bad things happen, it is so easy to sit and sulk in the unfairness of it all. We can become reactive with such language as, “If only …” or “I can’t” while others go into excuse mode or play the blame game. Still others become bitter at people or even at God, feeling victimized by what is going on around them. The reality? We can revise our future history by taking an honest inventory of where we are at, seeking God’s face and laying out a simple and doable plan to help us get to where we need to go.
Like everyone else, homeschoolers face problems. It is imperative that we retain a biblical perspective through challenging times. Nothing comes to us that does not first go through the throne room of grace; therefore, there is Divine purpose in everything. Some of the things that we label as bad become the foundation for future greatness in our family. One mother of four grieved over the months she “lost” with her children during a victorious fight with cancer. Her children learned things even more important than math and history; they learned how to serve and sacrifice to get through a tough season. All but one has graduated and are doing well with one going on to become the top in his class for emergency medical training.
We need to develop the mindset that there is always something that we can be doing to address difficulties in life. Our efforts may seem small or insignificant at first, but when we do the right thing long enough, it breeds success and opens up other doors. We should always start by praying … really praying. For many Christians, prayer is the last resort when it should serve as our frontline of defense and offense. After that, we do the next best thing in front of us. As Robert Collier said, “Success is the sum of small efforts—repeated day in and day out.
Homeschooling provides us with unique opportunities and allows for flexibility to make lifestyle adjustments to accomplish our hopes, dreams, convictions and desires. May 2021 be a year wherein we revise our future history by following through with our God-honoring choices that will open the door to future glory.
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