Talking with God Throughout the Homeschool Day

A Heart of Dakota Life

Talking with God Throughout the Homeschool Day

Heart of Dakota already makes life better with easy-to-use plans. However, homeschooling can still have challenges, which is why this series includes ways to simplify and love your homeschool life. Our first three posts were Don’t Go It Alone, Enlisting Help, and Enjoying the Comfort of Your Home. Our next three posts were Set Aside a Balanced Amount of Time to Teach, Be in Constant Prayer and Keep a Prayer Journal, and Know What Drains You and What Fills You Up. Today’s post is about how talking with God throughout the day can help your homeschooling go more smoothly. You might wonder how this is different than being in constant prayer. Good question! The reason it is different is because it is simply talking with God, alone or with others, in unplanned ways.

#7 – Talk with God Constantly Throughout the Homeschool Day

“Don’t ever hesitate to take to God whatever is on your heart. He already knows it anyway, but He doesn’t want you to bear its pain or celebrate its joy alone.” – Billy Graham

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

“Don’t worry about having the right words; worry more about having the right heart. It’s not eloquence He seeks, just honesty.” – Max Lucado

The Lord says, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.” (Isaiah 29:13)

Talking with God Alone

As our children begin their own personal Bible Quiet Time in HOD, they follow the ACTS model of prayer. The ACTS model is based on Jesus’ prayer example in the Lord’s Prayer. The “A” stands for adoration, “C” for confession, “T” for thanksgiving, and “S” for supplication. The more I homeschool, the more I find myself constantly talking with God. These talks I have with God are different than my morning Bible quiet time prayers. They are informal, unplanned, short, and conversational. They are based on moments. While they don’t follow the order of A-C-T-S, they do often fall into those categories.

The ACTS Model of Prayer When Talking with God Alone

When I look out my kitchen window and see a breathtaking sunrise, I talk with Him about it! I get tingles, goosebumps, and sometimes even teary-eyed. Oh how beautiful, Lord! And you made this all! For ME… for me to see this very homeschool morning! (adoration) As the homeschool morning proceeds, I am upset to hear my nephew is going to Mayo Clinic. Why, Lord? Oh, why must he bear this? Why can’t You just take it away?  Then…  I am sorry, Lord. I know You know best!  It’s just so hard sometimes! (confession) As I snuggle under a blanket to read aloud Storytime, I think how blessed I am to homeschool. Thank you, Lord, for letting me homeschool my sons!  I am so blessed! (thanksgiving) As I begin to teach my math lesson, I think Oh Lord! Give me patience! You know I’m not patient with this! (supplication)

The ACTS Model of Prayer When Talking with Others

When I see my kids making progress in homeschooling, I talk with God about it! Can you believe that narration, Lord?  Oh my!  He’s come so far! (thanksgiving) I talk with my son about it too, letting him know how proud I am of him. As the homeschool day progresses, I become upset my son cannot find his key word outline. I say cross words, in a not-so-nice voice. I shouldn’t have done that, Lord!  Forgive me! (confession) Then, I talk with my son about it. We both say we are sorry and pray about it. In Total Health, we read about the precise way our bodies are made. Lord, how amazing You created our bodies this way! My son and I both marvel at God’s handiwork. (adoration) As our day comes to a close, I think Lord, what would you have my son do for a job? He only has 2 years left. (supplication)

In Closing

One of the best ways to simplify and love your homeschooling is to talk with God throughout the homeschool day. Whether you are talking with Him alone or with others, the conversation is always good. It is always worthwhile. Remember, when you feel alone in homeschooling, you really aren’t. While many schools do not invite the Lord inside, you do. By using Heart of Dakota, He is a part of every day. One tangible way to remember that is to talk with Him freely throughout the day. He is always available. He never sleeps. Furthermore, He loves you and wants a relationship with you and your children. Try talking with Him daily in informal, unplanned, short, and conversational ways. Invite your children to do the same. It is life changing!

In Christ,

Julie