Perusing the book shelves of friends' homes had become a hobby for Cassie. Ever since she and her husband Kurt decided that the private school where their daughter attended wasn't meeting the needs of their child in the way they'd hoped; Cassie scoured around for any book she could find on homeschooling. Since two of her closest friends had homeschooled from day one, Cassie knew where to go for both emotional and practical support. Still, Cassie felt the burden of developing a well-rounded educational curriculum fall heavy upon her shoulders. While Kurt agreed that homeschooling sounded like a viable option, he didn't feel he had the time to research their options. So the bulk of the responsibility fell to Cassie to set up the new program before the holidays were over. Beginning January 16th, Cassie would be the teacher. Her part time position as the school librarian gave her plenty of know-how in locating needed resources. Yet Cassie lacked experience in organizing a workable plan....a doable system in the practicalities of educating her daughter. She would most definitely need the assistance of her good friends. Some days as Cassie poured over various catalogs she felt overwhelmed by the shear number of supplies on the market. A quick call to a friend usually calmed her down. Cassie believed that home educating, at least for the remainder of the year, would prove beneficial to her daughter. Husband Kurt agreed. Yet in the back of her mind, Cassie nursed niggling doubts. After one especially difficult afternoon of planning, Cassie retreated to her enclosed porch with Bible in one hand and journal in the other. Right now, I'm going to do business with God. I'm not getting up until I put on paper every reason we have for homeschooling. When the next bout of doubts come calling, I'll be ready.

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Dear Lord,
I must come you before in the deepest gratitude for I finally understand that you are the sole provider of my strength. Any confidence that I might possess stems directly from you. Thank you for graciously giving me the courage I require to take this momentous step. It's a rare thing for me to enter into unknown territory. There are moments, many of them quite frankly, when I am paralyzed by a sudden fear that leaves me frozen to the spot. I'm not certain I'm up to this challenge of educating my daughter. Yet there is another part of me that recognizes you equipped me to parent my child...even in this new way. I do believe that you are able to teach me as I begin instructing my daughter. Thank you for the knowledge you have given me. I would ask that you would continue to guide our steps and that we would bring honor to your name in all that we do. This new phase of life will usher joy I'm sure. I come to you, Father, rejoicing that as parents, we have this option. Thank you for placing us here, at this time, when so many others are choosing this same road upon which to travel. Let me be humble enough to seek out the help I'll need. I commit my family once again into your faithful hands. Be with me, give me your good words of wisdom and instruct me in the way I should go. Amen.

"The intelligence we have is a gift from God; the circumstances in which we find ourselves he controls. Obviously, we have to bring our intelligence as well as our faith to bear on those circumstances." Elisabeth Elliot in God's Guidance

Michele Howe lives with her husband and their four children in LaSalle, Michigan near the shores of Lake Erie. She is a freelance writer and book reviewer for Publishers Weekly and CBA Marketplace and has published over 700 articles and reviews. Her newest books for women include, "Prayers for Homeschool Moms" and "Prayers for New and Expecting Moms".