young-male-run-stairs

Last Updated on April 12, 2018

I know there are many women out there who wrestle every evening when homework time rolls around. To have a child who struggles with school work is like another full time job. It drains you! It keeps you up at night wondering how you can help him or her. You have left many tears on your bedspread as you wiped your eyes praying for wisdom on the break-through this child needs.

I had that child.

Ross is my outdoors son. He was on top of every game. Totally successful in sports and fun! He knows immediately how to take any old activity and make it genius.

But when it came to reading, he struggled. As a homeschooling mom, I knew how important reading was. I needed for him, I desired for him, I ached for him to be a great reader. After all, it was my favorite subject. It came easy for me. And it was important to life. There were times when I wanted to choke reading down his throat because I felt like he wasn’t trying enough. So we found him a reading tutor. She met with him Monday after Monday and each time he came home, she found no problems. He would read and understand all the words she had on his sheet. (A lot of them I had never seen or heard before!)

Ross graduated from high school (barely) and wanted to go to college, but with his ACT score I knew he would have to choose a community college. But my son only applied to one school, and he was accepted.

So off to Chicago we went to get him set up in his dorm room at Moody Bible Institute. I wondered how he would do it. He had to work, study, and there would be TONS of reading. But Ross moved in with the same passion for life that he had on every field, court, or alley.

[verse reference=”Isaiah 55:8″]’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD.[/verse]

From the beginning, I could see that God was preparing a man after His heart in my son Ross. Moody has each student, every semester, participate in a PCM (Practical Christian Ministry). He chose SLAM (Saving Lives by Athletic Ministries). He now uses all the skills and activities in some of the worst parts of Chicago working with and modeling for children what a godly man looks like.

During Christmas break, he encouraged and led a daily Bible study in my home with the rest of my children and any friends or strangers they might invite. As he led this study, he would have them read a portion of the Bible and take his turn when it came around. His reading, no longer an issue; but his knowledge of God’s word, out of this world!

I spent a lot of time focusing on what I thought was important for my children to succeed in this world, but I also spent a lot of time praying with and for them and giving them Scriptures—truth that would never fail them.

So for each mom who has a child struggling with school. Don’t lose heart, don’t give up, and pray. Know that God has a plan and purpose for your child. Hope in Him.

This semester, Ross made an A in Greek. Most of all, he is making an A in what matters! I thank God for him!

[verse reference=”Jeremiah 29:11″]’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.'[/verse],

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6 Comments

  1. Great reminder for a homeschooling mom; so many days are a struggle with my son who has a learning disorder. So thankful for the story God has ahead for my son, and the way God created him…and I’m encouraged by this story! Thanks, Robyn.

    1. Janel,
      Keep pressing on! Your son’s story will be what God has ordained it to be. I just prayed for you and your family.
      Blessings,
      Robyn

  2. If I wasn’t so exhausted, I would be in a pool of tears as I read your article! I do not homeschool, but work very closely with our children’s Christian school. I could so relate to your story! Our child has struggled since first grade, he’s currently in forth, and you just keep wondering when that brake through is going to come, but it never does. You start to realize that may not be in God’s plan, and you verbally and intellectually accept that. However, deep down I think I still fight it. We have tried everything, yet here we are. Exhausted, frustrated, scared. Your article is very encouraging, and a gift right now. Thanks!

    1. Jenny,
      Thank you so much for your honesty. We have all been where you are as a mom…wanting to help our children with whatever their need is, yet having to trust and just pray. Sometimes, even prayer doesn’t seem to be enough for a mommy’s heart…BUT IT IS!!! We at momlife will be praying with you.. James 5:16
      You are loved!

  3. This was such as encouraging article. Having three of those type students myself…. I can only say AMEN! The things I obsessed over when they were in school never proved to be the walls to success I feared them to be. So happy for Ross.

    1. Debbie,
      Encourage younger moms with this FACT. God truly has a plan for our children and MUCH of what we obsess over academically has little to do with God’s perfect plan for their lives. Blessings to you.