So glad you asked…..First and foremost, the Bible commands that we are to “encourage one another.” 

In I Thessalonians 5:10-11, we are given the reason to encourage others, that Christ died for us!  The passage assumes that the believers in Thessalonica were working hard for the gospel of Christ and that was reason enough to build each other up.  I like the way Matthew Henry says it “As Christians are lively stones built up together, a spiritual house, they should endeavor to promote the good of the whole church by promoting the work of grace in one another.”  Homeschooling moms are involved in Kingdom work, loving and nurturing children who are not only their own boys and girls, but their own brothers and sisters in Christ!  How we encourage moms will be evidenced in how their own children are encouraged! 

We are also told in Hebrews 3:13 and again in Hebrews 10:25 that we must encourage one another because we live in a fallen world and apostasy and infidelity are right around the corner.  We are reminded that sin is deceitful and usually it doesn’t come to us as something ugly but rather as something lovely and attractive, often pleasant to our eyes and ears.  Often sin promises us all that we think we want.  But in the end, it never follows through with those promises.  Homeschooling moms are continually tempted with all that the world has to offer.  We are bombarded daily with the lure of those material things we will never have.  We struggle with the temptations of discouragement because we have little time alone.  We compare ourselves to, not only other women who seemingly lead exciting lives outside their homes, but also to other homeschoolers whose lives appear to be perfect.  These temptations are very real and can lead to defeat. 

The writer of Hebrews warns us to first watch ourselves, to consider the weaknesses of others and then to provoke love and good works in them.  Knowing, sometimes too personally, the frustrations other homeschooling moms face gives us a unique and particular gift to the body of Christ.  Too often, homeschooling families maintain an “us against the world” mentality.  With good intentions for protecting their families and in building closeness in the home, they forget that we are to seek out the fellowship and encouragement of others not only for our own good, but the good of other homeschoolers!  Next time, we will talk about how the gift of encouragement of homeschooling moms is a special gift for women to have in ministering to other women.  Now, go and encourage another homeschooling mom today!

copyright 2007

…or perhaps I should say out of the tangled mess of wires.  A new computer system to get used to combined with some unfamiliar software is pushing my techno-skills to the very limits. (I think I can hear my son-in-law giggling now.)  The premiere podcast is recorded and waiting to be uploaded.  Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, we are still all set for Friday.