September has always been a fun month in our homeschooling journey. But I’m a bit nerdy, and I’ve always loved unpacking the curriculum and making the agenda for the year. There’s something magical about the fresh start of a new school year—the uncracked spines of new books, the feel of crisp, blank pages. They represent so much more than an academic start. To me, they symbolize hope and possibility.
But as exciting as all that is, curriculum and schedules are not where my ultimate hope for my children lies. The anticipation of a new year can create a laser focus on getting everything right—choosing the perfect material, organizing a flawless calendar, and mentally preparing ourselves to meet every challenge. While these preparations are important, they’re not strong enough to hold our hope.
Our ultimate hope for our children’s future does not rest in our ability to choose the right math program or follow a classical education schedule. Because if it did, we would have the ability to derail our children’s lives, and the sovereignty of God says we don’t have that kind of power. God is the One who carries our children, who knows the plans He has for them, and who will guide their steps far beyond what we can imagine.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
As you plan and prepare, remember to seek God first and seek Him urgently. Ask Him for wisdom, direction, and strength as you lead your children. And remember, you do not hold the outcome in your hands—God does. He is the one who will bring about the results in His perfect timing and according to His perfect plan.
Moving forward, I encourage you to three tasks:
- Release the Burden: Take a moment right now to release the burden of outcomes to God. What are your hopes and concerns for the year? Prayerfully hand them over to Him.
- Seek God First: Before diving into your daily lessons and plans, spend time in prayer asking for God’s guidance and wisdom. Make this a daily habit.
- Encourage Your Children: Encourage your children to do their best, but more importantly, to trust God with their journey. Their identity is not found in their student average. Their value is not dependent on making the grade. Just as your identity is not in being the teacher and your value is not tied to their success or failure. Their identity and our identity are rooted in Christ. Their value and our value comes from the Creator who has made us to be His image bearer in this world.
As you walk through the days ahead, keep your eyes on the One who holds all things together. In Him, you will find the strength and peace you need to guide your children through their education and beyond.