November 26, 2025 – Finding Rest in Spirit, Soul, and Body

Hey, Mama!

Gena Suarez, Publisher of TOS

Lean on the Lord

Hey, Mama,

Homeschooling can be draining, especially if we try to do it without God’s help. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you as you teach your children.

“The rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock” (Matthew 7:25).

If we, like the wise man, build our houses on Jesus Christ, our Rock and Foundation, we will be able to stand strong during life’s storms.

Give up the idea of a perfect curriculum. Give up following a strict schedule if it’s a burden. Ask the Lord to direct your day.

God has not given you a spirit of fear; He promises the peaceful guidance of the Holy Spirit in all you do—and that means homeschooling, too, Mama.

It’s humbling just how much the Lord will show us when we ask Him for wisdom. When we stay in His Word and apply it, keeping our eyes on Him during the storms, He molds us and changes us. The deeper the pain, the more like Him He makes us. That’s our highest goal, Mama. 

Your children are watching. They see the storms and your reactions, and they see you’re not perfect. Glorify His name, no matter the problem. They’ll see their mama is no quitter. She loves them, and she loves their Lord.

He sees the big picture. He sees the reason behind what feels like sheer madness. He sees the reward which comes after the injustices. He sees the growth amidst the pain.

Keep walking, Mama. Model Christ to everyone God has sovereignly placed in your path. This is just a short testing time. Just over the horizon is the forever place and forever life. God sees it all from beginning to end. And Mama, your end is good. His hand is on your head today. 

Love, gena

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Todd Wilson

Familyman Ministries

They Need Your Encouragement

Feeling weary? Weariness and homeschooling go together like . . . road kill and rigamortis. That’s why we need each other to make it through in one piece.

That’s why the Bible says more than once, “Encourage one another.” We need to hear from our spouse, family, and friends, “You can do it . . . keep up the good work . . . you’re doing such a good job . . . oh, I know it’s hard, but you can do it!”

Unfortunately, we’ve taken those encouragement verses as “discourage one another.” We don’t mean to, but so often we offer our advice when all a friend needs is our understanding. 

We give non-verbal cues of disapproval when what someone needed was our smile of empathy. We Christian homeschool parents are quick to dole out ‘godly instructions’ when we should say, “I understand.”

Yes, you need to have sources of encouragement for yourself, but there are others very near you who need your word of encouragement today. 

Dad, can I speak to you right now? Your wife needs your encouragement today. She’s weary, at the end of her rope, and looking for a way out. She needs you to be her knight in shining armor, to shoulder more than your weight in responsibility, to smile in her direction, to thank her for her daily sacrifices, to lift her up in prayer, to remind her of your goals and purpose, to cheer her on, to tell her, “You’re doing a great job . . . you’re going to make it . . . you can do it.”

Go do it!!!

Be real,
Todd

P.S.— Pick up a 10‑pack of our homeschool encouragement cards to encourage all your homeschool friends today. Get ’em now.

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About the author

Todd Wilson is a dad, granddad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd’s humor and down to earth realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions, retreats, and churches across the country. As founder of Familyman Ministries and the Smiling Homeschooler, his passion and mission are to remind dads and moms of what’s most important through weekly e-mails, podcasts (The Familyman Show & The Smiling Homeschooler), seminars, and books and products that encourage parents. Todd, and his wife Debbie, still homeschool two of their eight children (six have graduated with four married) in northern Indiana. You can read more at www.familymanweb.com.

HomeLife Academy offers the support you need to homeschool STRESS-FREE this year. Pre-register for 2026/2027 using code TURKEY25 at checkout for 25% off enrollment. 
https://homelifeacademy.com/enroll-now/

Felicity Young

Time Better Spent

Our state organization put on a women’s event this fall. There was an engaging speaker and a nice luncheon. Honestly, these are the kinds of things I tend to skip. I am inclined to think my time would be better spent catching up on projects at home. But every time I make myself attend, I’m glad I went. 

It’s nice to be encouraged. It’s good to meet with other homeschooling mamas and feel the camaraderie. It is a blessing to hear the mighty works God is accomplishing in other families. It is a privilege to pray for my fellow mamas. And it is always a reminder to prioritize the Lord in my homeschool. It’s easy to get caught up in checklists and math lessons, but that’s not why we homeschool. We homeschool because we want to point our children toward the Savior. These women’s events point me back to the Savior and that’s worth skipping laundry for . . . every time. 

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About the author

Felicity Young is a homeschooling mama of five. She serves on the board of the Alaska Private and Home Educators Association.

David West

A Parent’s Place of Rest 

Search online for dangerous jobs. Look for the most difficult jobs, the most demanding. As you scan the various lists something should be glaringly obvious. The people creating these lists have forgotten about the job called parenting. Weak men and women need not apply for the parenting role. The toughest man or woman meets their match at the edge of a crib.

But, that’s exactly the issue. We, all of us, are weak and needy creatures. So, what are parents to do? Where can parents find the rest which they desperately need?  Where do we turn amid the exhaustion of endless sleepless nights when littles cry and parents stay awake. How do we cope when sensing the stomach-churning emotion caused by launching a child into the world? Who, more than a parent, needs to find rest for their spirit, soul, and body?

Thankfully, we don’t need to look far for help. Jesus, our Great Shepherd, makes His sheep lie down in green pastures (giving rest to their bodies), and He restores their souls. He comforts His sheep when dark shadows of death surround them. When the enemy draws near for battle, the Shepherd spreads a feast and gives an overflowing abundance to His lambs (see Psalm 23).

Many practical tips exist in our world for finding quiet and rest, for restoring our bodies and minds. But for the Christian homeschool parent, the first place to turn is to Christ Himself. Our Great Shepherd knows what we need. He is our Counselor, our Comforter, our Peace. In Him, rest is assured no matter what circumstances we face. Resting in Christ, looking unto the day when we will dwell in His house forever, gives us rest amid the many tasks demanded by the most difficult of jobs.

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About the author

David West is an ordinary father serving an extraordinary Savior. He is husband to Danette, father of six, deacon at The Cornerstone Bible Church, past chairman of the Sacramento Organization of Parent Educators (scopehome.org), sales manager by vocation, and a lover of books and writing.

True rest goes deeper than a good night’s sleep. It can refresh the body, mind, and spirit too. Courses like Nourishing Nuggets and Digging for Treasure at SchoolhouseTeachers.com help your family build healthy habits while keeping Christ at the center. Find balance, breathe deep, and embrace His rest. We’ve got you covered at SchoolhouseTeachers.com!