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On Facebook I asked a simple question, "What did God teach you during your first year of homeschooling?" The number one answer? Patience, of course!

You Will Learn Patience!
Just like these moms.

"Patience!" ~ Leanne, Candace & others. Some seemed to SCREAM the answer in all caps!

"Patience, persistence, and trusting to let him lead us and guide us." ~ Angela 

"I learned to have patience and accept the will of God, because for the first two years I was in denial. Didn't want to homeschool and God used my husband to push me to homeschool. After those two years, I can say that it has been a challenge at times but over all to be thankful for Gods' purpose in our life's." ~ Areli

You Will Learn Strength!
Just like these parents.

"That I CAN do this!! Still going 9 yrs!" ~ Jennifer 

"That I can do it, even with three ADHD girls! We are still going strong 10 yrs later." ~ Debbie

"Even though my daughter was very smart; it was going to be a difficult road." ~ Jeanna

"I am capable of far more than I ever believed I was! My report cards very rarely had a grade higher than a D-, and my teachers from 5th grade on always told me I should just ride it out and not bother coming in the next day. Well, God is now telling me something the complete opposite! Our son is zooming through his lessons, doing everything I was in the 4th grade, and he'll be just 5 in December! God is always blessing us." ~ Sara

So many people explained that they feel weak, but through Christ they were strong enough. Remember that Philippians4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

You Will Learn Faith!
Just like these folks.

"Clearly, I am not in control." ~ Chris

"That I'm not in charge." ~ Courtney

"It's all His plan not mine!" ~ Melissa 

"That we're doing this because He wants us to." ~ Michelle

"It's His plan that matters most." ~ Samantha

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Make sure my heart is right before I teach my children." ~ Lois

"That He will walk me through what He called me to do. I began homeschooling my daughter in 3rd grade, after years of saying "I will n.e.v.e.r homeschool!". We're in our 8th year, and it's all thanks to God!" ~ Becky 

"That there was NO WAY that I was going to be successful without Him... NO WAY!" ~ Ginger 

Like it says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I can be a challenge, at times, to have faith that we can't mess up God's plan.

You Will Learn to Prioritize!
Just like these families.

"Don't do family life around your homeschool, do home school around your family life." ~ Contina 

"Teaching our kids His ways is more important than any "school" subject." ~ Harvey

"To appreciate how awesome my kids are! It's not all about academics. We get to amazing things together and enjoy our time together. I am so thankful to be homeschooling!" ~ Kelly 

"To relax, after all, it's just first grade! Enjoy the time spent with them!" ~ Tricia 

You Will Learn Flexibility!
Just like Gumby!

"I have always been highly organized, but often it was at the expense of flexibility." ~ Lee

"That I didn't need to have all the boxes checked off at the end of the day." ~ Beverly 

"There are so many things to learn that are not written in books. Be flexible."  ~ Brenda

"To give Grace and be FLEXIBLE!  We've come a LONG way in 5 years!" ~ Heather

"You do not have to finish every page of every book!" ~ Mandy

"There is no right or wrong way. Just our way." ~ Amanda 

"To relax, be flexible and always be willing to learn from each other." ~ Irene

This is a difficult time of year to homeschool, when winter makes everything bleak and dark.  Try to take a step back, and remember that even in the midst of challenges, you are learning, and growing, and it WILL get easier as you learn these lessons gradually over time.

For more encouragement, consider this short ebook "Creating Homeschool Balance." And watch this free class, “Homeschooling: Discovering How and Why it Works” with Dr. Jay Wile. Why Homeschool Works.

What did YOU learn when your first year homeschooling? Please leave a comment and share your story!