Related to losing the vision, yet distinct in a way, sometimes we know what God has said and we determine to do it, but we fail to count the cost. (Luke 14:28-30)
If we do not count the cost, we can find ourselves unprepared to pay the cost. This can make the cost seem too steep, although in our hearts we know that no cost is too much for our children’s welfare.
Still, we pause.
We think of quitting.
We fall back to some degree.
By cost, I do not mean only monetary cost.
Although with homeschooling there is a little cost, it is also possible to homeschool without spending very much money at all.
No, the cost I mean is often in the realm of social connections. When we begin home schooling, often we lose old friends, or so it seems. What truly may be happening is that we finally discover who our real friends are. We discover, also, how much loyalty our family members feel towards us. Sometimes it is appallingly little.
It hurts.
It is a lot to pay.
We feel like courting the approval of man.
Sometimes, the cost can be in the realm of lost second income, too. We find ourselves in the position of having to sew our own clothes, clean our own house, or cook our own food. The fact that we are, at last, able to do so, because we at last have the time for it, does not seem to soften the reality, sometimes.
Or the cost could come in units of time, itself. Without the usual eight-to-five pushing us ever onward, we may discover sleep. This can also feel like lost time, lost time for ME, but time we willingly gave, perhaps, to an employer, when it was for money.
Therefore, we may just keep insulting our family with the same old expensive fast food, in favor of staying in that warm bed.
Is this you?
Do you wonder how I know?
Are you beginning to guess at the cures?
More tomorrow!
Home's Cool! 
I am intrigued to see the cures… Although I have to say, I only suffer from bouts of “I wanna quiiiiihiiit!” Right after Christmas vacation. I have a lovely group of friends though, who all feel the same way, so we band together and remind one another why in the world we’re each doing this. We all have our own different reasons, and it’s so good to be bolstered by friends.
Also, I am blessed. I have never lost a friend or the support of family for my choices. I am so very, very grateful for that! I am so sorry for those that have – I can’t imagine the hurt.
Thanks for stopping by, Tiff, and thanks for your patience! I needed a different name for this one, didn’t I! The cures will come. They will. 🙂
Banding together is a wonderful technique! Way to go! That is one wonderful use of the support group — you KNOW they are watching. Ha.
Christmas knocks out lotsa people, not just homeschoolers but our support group has an entertainment night for new homeschoolers in early January, affectionately and unofficially called “The Noobiebooster”. It includes a comedy act, a speaker and homemade desserts, all provided by us “old-timers”. It’s so popular, the talent and speaker slots fill immediately! 😉
“Is this you?
Do you wonder how I know?
Are you beginning to guess at the cures?
More tomorrow!” oh don’t tease me like that ;-). I think I know how you know, and I am guessing you have been there, my twin.” Oh”, I say with fake dramatic whining…”why do i have to wait until tomorrow?” laughing. I look forward to the continuation of this thread. love you.
HA, HA!
I’ll try setting the hands ahead on the clock a bit. 😉
Actually there are two more “why’s” to go! Maybe I should condense?