There is no way around it - home schooling takes faith!  It is a walk of faith from start to finish. To educate our children ourselves, we must break from the norm, embark on something completely unknown, even unexpected, trusting that God is in control of the results.  I'd say that takes faith, wouldn't you?

I think the eagle is a perfect illustration of the faith necessary to home school our children.  He soars above circumstances, flying higher than other birds.  During storms, while most birds seek shelter in trees or hiding places, the eagle actually puts wind currents and storms to use by allowing them to propel him forward - even in the harshest conditions.  An eagle's wings are what give him the unique ability to overcome those things that could defeat or destroy him, and to conserve his strength as he soars above destruction.  The wings of an eagle are like the faith of a home schooling family - it is what allows them to launch out, to rise up, and to weather the storms that inevitable come.

The Bible talks about the eagle's wings in Isaiah 41:30-31:

"But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint" (NKJ) 

We, too, must rely on our wings of faith if we are to "rise" to meet the challenges home education brings.  This path can bring a lot of pressure - it can also bring great reward.  When the struggles, frustrations, or fears come…we must have the ability to overcome those things or they will defeat us.  Faith will give you the strength to keep going, even in the face of opposition.  Faith will carry you through to the finish!

Step Out On Hope
Hebrews 11:1 tells us "Faith is the substance of things hoped for…the evidence of things not seen."  So faith itself begins with hope.  When I first started reading about home schooling, I had just a flicker of hope - mixed among many doubts - that we could do this. As I read every book I could on the subject, my hope began to deepen; I began to sense God calling us to take this seemingly radical step. 

Hope is actually the precursor to faith.  In other words, it is enough to get you started.  You can even "step out" on hope, as it says in Hebrews 6:19, "we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor…[that] cannot slip or break down under whoever steps out upon it."  Maybe you are still just hoping that home schooling will work for you.  I believe you can develop that hope into a deep faith that will carry you to the end of your home schooling destination—whatever that end may be!   As faith become a stronger force in your life, you will find yourself well able to meet the challenges home schooling brings.