The Finish Line

Though schedules vary, many home schoolers close the school year in May. For some, May becomes a light at the end of the long tunnel. For others, it looms as the blinding flash of a freight train hurtling toward them. However we see it--May is a finish line. How will we run the end of the race?

Because Mike's stroke has impacted every level of life, this hasn't been a stellar school year for the Worrell school. Appointments, hospitalizations, long family conversations about how life has changed have all robbed time for school.

We are not alone. Many families cope with a variety of life situations which means the math page or the history test simply doesn't get completed. The mounting pile of undone can create the freight train image.

Some throw in the towel and check out other options for next year. Though home schooling is one of the fastest growing education modes in the United States, it also claims one of the highest drop-out rates. Overwhelmed families simply find another school when May looks too daunting.

There's another way to see May. There's another way to finish.

See all of life as an education--not just the books. Our family has missed far too many assignments this year. I know that. At the same time, my children have partaken of ample practice to work together to make meals while I've traveled with Mike. With fewer hands available for more work, older children taught younger children--not only math and science--but how to manage the trash chores, empty the dishwasher, and feed the chickens. They've learned to make acquaintances with strangers in a variety of hospital settings. They've learned to talk through anger, disappointment, and grief. They've learned what it means to pray and then experience that void of delay while waiting on God to answer.

The difficulty I have coming up with each step to a Geometric proof reminds me that Geometric proofs don't typically enter the flow of daily life.

But, our children will cook. They will face moments where there is more work than time. They will build relationships. They will experience grief. They will wait on God. Our children have spent the last year learning how to do each of these. That's education, too. Perhaps the education God knew they needed most.

As you face May, don't dwell on all you didn't get done. Look at--make a list of--all God has taught your family this year. Have a year end celebration of these facets of your school. That tradition alone can transition May from a freight train to a light at the end of a tunnel.

Set your goals. "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3:14-15. What does God want you to complete? Forget all the undone that is behind and press on toward that.

I realized that we could not finish everything by May. And we have obligations that mean school past May won't work. So, what does God want us to do?

For the first time in 14 years, we won't finish our science. I determined that Dr. Wile is such an incredible teacher that 14 modules of Chemistry is enough for any high schooler. By closing our science year, I made room for the high schoolers to concentrate on likewise finishing well in history and writing--two subjects that received less time and attention throughout the year. Given God has given them a passion to be writers--that seems God's goal. I've set a time-table to meet that goal well.

Where does He want your attention? Set specific goals and then create steps to get there. Just having a plan turns dread to a sense of control. Further, we refocus everyone on the point that we are engaging in this whole home schooling endeavor--not to just check subjects off a chart--but to follow God's call in Christ Jesus. Our home schooling becomes the laboratory where children learn to listen to God in a specific time and place and press on toward the goal He sets.

Despite all appearances, take heart--the end of the year is not a freight train. If you choose to press on and finish well, the end of the year becomes a celebration of all God has done in your family this year. The light at the end of the tunnel burns bright. Waiting there, carrying you there, is your Lord.

Tess Worrell writes and speaks to groups regarding issues of family life and living as a Godly woman. She and husband, Mike Worrell, live in Madison, Indiana, where they are in their 14th year of home schooling. She would love to hear your insights. Comment here or email her at tess@YourFamilyMatterstous.com. If you are interested in bringing Tess to your home school or church group, learn more about her speaking at YourFamilyMatterstous.com.