I’ve been thinking a lot this week about the choices I’ve made in life and the sacrifices I’m making as a result of those choices.
I believe that every single choice we make requires some sort of sacrifice.
Sometimes the sacrifice is a worthy one.
Other times, well, maybe it isn’t….
Only we can decide.
Every now and then we have to take a look at our lives, at our decisions, and decide whether our sacrifices maintain their worthiness for us, for our family.
Over the next few days, (probably excluding the weekend) I’m going to write about several life decisions I’ve made that have required sacrifice. Each of these are things that I am presently living and fleshing out.
I’m inviting you to join me in looking at the sacrifices in your own life as I write about mine.
Let’s chat about weather these choices and decisions can still be found to be worthy for us.
I’ll be writing about my decision to homeschool, to be a stay at home wife and mother, to be an Army wife, and to follow Christ.
Now, these may be decisions that you have not made yourself. Your life decisions can be totally different than mine, and that’s okay. They require sacrifices of their own. I’m not writing this in hopes of discounting your own sacrifices, but to simply flesh out my own.
At times I look at my decision to homeschool as one that is requiring a great deal of sacrifice.
In my own selfishness, sometimes I look with jealousy at families that send their children out of the home for school.
I covet the extra time that it seems that these mothers have on their hands.
I get frustrated at my own situation when I can’t find time to clean as I would like or when I have to make a choice between cleaning or going outside with my children in the afternoons because the entire morning has been spent teaching ABC’s and 123’s.
I think of the additional time for myself that I would have if my children weren’t with me all. day. long.
Maybe I could take that nap.
Or scrub these floors.
Or work out at the gym.
Or run errands.
Or sort and organize.
Or actually finish decorating our home.
Is my homeschooling sacrifice worthy?
At the end of the day, yes, I do count this decision as a worthy sacrifice.
In lieu of giving up some extra time for myself or my home I am gaining so much more.
I am gaining a deep relationship with my children.
I am gaining more joy than I can describe by giving of my time to invest in their lives, in their education, and in their personal and spiritual growth.
But, this decision is beyond me.
My children are gaining abundantly more because of our homeschooling sacrifice.
They are gaining a relationship with one another.
They are gaining the freedom to learn at their own pace, in the safety of their own home.
They are gaining a peaceful life.
They are gaining life skills.
They are gaining a genuine love for learning.
And so much more.
So, I will continue to make this sacrifice. But instead of looking around me with regret when my home isn’t spotless, I’ll remember that this sacrifice is worthy of the time I put into it.
I will be thankful that we have the opportunity to educate our children at home and cherish this time with them.
Instead of looking at other moms and coveting the extra time that they have for themselves or their home, I will be thankful for the extra time I have to enjoy my beautiful children….they are a blessing!
Are you sacrificing to homeschool your children?
What sacrifices are your making for their education?
And if you send your children out of the home for school, what sacrifices is this decision requiring of you?
Let’s chat in the comments…
Shanna says
I definitely see homeschooling as one of the largest sacrifices I have ever made. I too, know that it is worth the sacrifice, and I need to remind myself often that my reward is in the long-term, and not always the short-term. I was telling someone just today that is considering homeschooling, that is not the teaching itself that is the hardest on me, but the fact I am never alone and so much is left undone. As an introvert, I really struggle sometimes with trying to find the “alone” time I absolutely must have to process my thoughts and feelings. I definitely recharge my batteries alone!
We all make sacrifices that, like you said, is a choice. And this is one choice I will continue to make because I know it is worth it for my family and for my children. It also reminds me daily of my own selfish nature and my own need for Christ to mold and shape me as well.
Dana Wilson says
Monica, thank you for your insightful post. I agree with Shanna that it is hard for those of us who are introverts never to have alone time, and that in itself is a huge sacrifice. Homeschooling requires daily, and sometimes hourly, laying down of one’s life in service to Christ and in obedience to His commands to train up our kids according to His ways. It helps to know others are making the same choices for the same reasons!
Thanks again,
Dana
Phoebe @ GettingFreedom says
While we are not a homeschooling family (atleast not yet. 🙂 )–I really appreciated this post! One of my biggest hang ups on diving in is the time commitment. While I know it’s worth it in the end, it’s nice to hear it from an “expert”.
.-= Phoebe @ GettingFreedom´s last blog ..Apple Cinnamon Pizza =-.
Amber @ Classic Housewife says
Wonderful!
Yes, a huge sacrifice and VERY worth it! It does *seem* that we would have so much more time for things while our kids were school but on the other hand we would have so much less time with them, and they with us. That trade just isn’t worth it to me.
Great post!
Brooke McGlothlin says
Monica I have just started this homeschooling journey, but I’ve worked part-time since the birth of my first son…And yes. I do sometimes look with jealousy at other moms who seem to have more time…more money. I think of all the time I would have to work on my book if only my children went to preschool. I think of all the places we could go and things we could have if I still worked full-time. But then I look at their sweet faces. I see their birthdays approaching yet again…and I amazed at how much time has already passed. No. NOTHING I dream of for myself is worth missing out on them…developing that deep relationship with them. NOTHING.
Thank you for this thoughtful post.
Stacey says
Love your thoughts! Especially during this time of year when I am so very weary I need encouragement to persevere!
I found you through Gypsy Mama and I see that you are attending Relevant 10! Super cool, can’t wait to meet all these amazing women of God!
Blessings! I hope you have a restful summer!
Stacey