The story of Gideon became a comfort to me, as I wrestled with the answer to this question. Like me, Gideon was unsure of God's leading and prayed, "If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said" (Judges 6:36b-37). God graciously answered Gideon's prayer and went one step further when Gideon asked for the reverse scenario to take place with the fleece the following day.
Encouraged by Gideon's story, I placed my own fleece on the ground to confirm God's desire for me to homeschool my children. Asking for specific encouragement, God led me to His Word in Deuteronomy 6:6-7. Feeling empowered by its truth and the Holy Spirit, my final confirmation came that evening, as I tucked my children into bed. Grabbing me tightly around the neck and placing a big kiss on my cheek, each of my children said, "Thanks for teaching us, Mommy. We're going to have so much fun!" And guess what happened? For the next twenty-five years, we did!
Lord Jesus, thank You for being a loving God who answers me when I pray. Please, strengthen me now to homeschool and always come to You when life makes me confused and uncertain. In Jesus' name, Amen.
I've been doing homeschool preschool, which everyone thought was just fine, but now that I have felt convicted and decided to do this further, so many people have been questioning it, or looking at me unhappily, but holding their tongue. It has really made me second guess my decision so very much.
Even my husband has some doubts and concerns so this devotional really answered some of my own fears and prayers about starting out on this new adventure.
Thank you!