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A Mom with a Chronic Illness HomeschoolsAnd Lives To Tell About it!
by Cindy Elliott (Cindy's bio)
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Today was a day for battle, training and experience put to the test. A bloodthirsty giant was heading this way. Tales of his brutal, cruel acts had reached far and near. He left only death and destruction in his tracks. Armor check: belt buckled, breastplate in place, feet shod, helmet on, sword at my side, and shield resting against me.
How many times have I faced this bloodthirsty giant? At times, he has come with the force of a raging lion, other times as an imitator of light. He is sneaky, devious, a thief, but his patterns are predicable.
As a home school mom with chronic illness, my head is this battleground. The enemy is Satan, discouraging, belittling, and destroying. He roars like a lion, "What a complainer! You're not really sick. You can't take care of your child; you can't even take care of yourself. Roxanne is being cheated of attention, education, everything. You are a failure and a burden to your husband and child." When these tactics fail, he tries a more subtle approach with a voice full of false concern, "You are too tired today to care for your child. Put her into the care of someone else or seat her in front of the television. How can that child be so demanding on one who's suffering?" His words may vary, but his tactic is the same. Look to self; be drawn into self, and in doing so lose any comfort that you could otherwise have.
The Holy Spirit labors to turn my eyes away from self, and to Jesus. There I find not only comfort, but wisdom and direction. My day runs differently from one who does not struggle with breathing, pain, or discomfort. Lists (things to do/accomplish…) are merely for reference. I am not a slave to a list or to curriculum. Instead of having accomplishment deadlines due today, this week or this year, we have seasons. We do not compare ourselves to other homeschoolers. When another homeschooler writes of the things they are planning, doing, and accomplishing, I head for the prayer closet.
Following a 'Lifestyle of Learning' has removed the burden of creating curriculum or completing pre-packaged curriculum. It also means that we teach from life. My chronic illness is part of our life. God has shown me the learning value of this challenge. I would like to share some of the values, as they are a reminder that what many view as a weakness is actually a strength. This so-called obstacle is a path strewn with riches.
Values my child is learning:
- God's joy is not dependent on a physical situation or feeling. Rather it takes root in our spirit. It moves beyond circumstances.
- To seek God's purpose in every situation.
- Compassion.
- To be a prayer warrior.
- To value staying home.
- Skills of cleaning/cooking.
- People are more important than things (learned from a time of financial constraint related to illness).
- Nothing is more important than our relationship with the Lord.
- To use her time wisely/productively.
- To think of others before herself.
- God is not a candy machine. We do not drop a coin in and get what we want. God's will is sought over self-desires.
- Our hope is Jesus, not what Jesus can do.
These are life survival skills! She does academics. However, they are not the emphasis, but rather a tool to be developed.
I keep a constant line open to the throne room. This line took a concentrated effort to develop. To develop this habit, I put notes everywhere that declare, "Say hi to Jesus!"
No mountain is too big for Jesus to move. When ground in Jesus, no stronghold can find footing. The enemy cannot slip past His guard. Below is a prayer I lifted to heaven by the leading of the Holy Spirit. It will help you see that what is important is not how much we are doing, but how much we are allowing God to do.
My Prayer for My Daughter…
Abba Father,
Abba, I ask that my daughter will continue to fall in love with You and Your Word.
Fill her with Your joy and let a song of praise always be on her lips.
I pray that Your miracles and wonders will never grow mundane in her eyes.
Let her always run through the puddles and dance in the rain.
I pray she will always have the heart of a child, wanting to fly, but the fruit of a wise old woman, being content if grounded.
I pray she will see your smile each day, and find rest in your arms.
Lord help her have eyes that look beyond the here/now and see eternity.
I pray people will look into her eyes and see You, love and compassion.
Let her always open her arms to the poor and extend her hands to the needy.
Create in her a pure heart. Clothe her with strength and dignity.
Let her always work with eager hands and not eat of the bread of idleness.
Lord, that she will always bring good, not harm.
Let people say she is worth far more than rubies.
Lord let her find the plan for her life in your Word.
Give her the courage to know that death means life.
Lead her to pray, recreate me each day.
Surround her Lord! Consume her! Let her every thought and desire be in You!
Please, that she will see how precious she is to her Dad and I, but let her find her worth in You.
May she always fear the Lord.
In hard times…
Remind her that in a little while we will be home forever.
El Shaddi, Lord Almighty, may she always find her blessings in you;
El-Elyon, Most High God, may she always keep your name Holy, Adonai,
Lord and Master, may she always see you revealed in Jesus!
In the precious name of Jesus, Amen
~C. Elliott
10 Ways to NOT Get Overwhelmed
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Copyright 2002, Rest Ministries. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
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About Cindy Elliott: In addition to homeschooling, Cindy struggles with various health challenges and is the co-moderator of a new homeschooling discussion group for Christian moms who live with chronic illness at Rest Ministries. "Throughout my health challenges God has opened His floodgates of unexpected blessings, not only on myself but my sweet daughter and dear husband," shares Cindy. "As I have been encouraged and lifted up by so many loving hearts over the years, I desire to do the same for others." For more information visit: http://www.restministries.org/life-homeschool.htm |
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