Homeschooling has been an "extreme makeover" for me. I've had fears to conquer, old habits to overcome, new ones to develop, wisdom to gain, and patience to learn. Many times I've cried out, "God, let me get off of this crazy wheel and let me stand on my own two feet. I'm finished. HEL-LOOO . . . Have you forgotten about me? I don't think you know what you're doing! I don't deserve this!"

The Master has never missed a beat. He'd just splash a little more cold water on me and pinch a little harder until I finally gave in to His will. I needed to be "remade" and this is how He has chosen to do it. He called me to be a homeschooling parent so that I would learn important lessons of love, dedication, patience, and all those wonderful "fruitful" things the Holy Spirit longs to teach those He inhabits.

My Master Designer has performed some wonderful, but radical, "extreme makeovers" on me. Oh how I love His patience, mercy, and tenderness! As with my children, He is changing me from "clay with an attitude" into a "vessel of honor." May you be blessed to see Him do the same thing in your homeschool life. You'll be amazed when you see what His grace can create out of "dirt."

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Timothy Palla is the pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in the Lucasville/Minford area of southern Ohio. He and his lovely wife, Jennifer have five children; Drew, Dane, Aidan, Ethan, and Meghan. You may contact him at tpalla@rocketmail.com

This article was originally published in the Sep/Oct '05 issue of Home School Enrichment Magazine. For more details, visit http://HomeSchoolEnrichment.com To request a free sample copy, visit http://homeschoolenrichment.com/magazine/request-sample-issue.html