How Homeschooling Taught Me About Peace
We imagine peace as a place of calm and quiet, where we are at peace because we're surrounded by it. But Mary shows us that true peace can come through obedience even when we don't understand it all.
It was early spring of 2020, and I suddenly found myself “homeschooling” my kindergartener. The teacher was amazing. She had daily class video calls and had activities and class interactions planned out. I got such a kick out of some kids who would end up doing impromptu show-and-tell sessions, until one day I caught my own son completely derailed, showing our dogs to the class. It became harder to keep him interested in learning, and it started to feel like a disaster. It became pretty concrete in my mind that I would never start homeschooling. I loved spending time with my son, but homeschooling just wasn’t for me.
Fast forward a few years, and third grade was rough. I watched my son go from being confident to having stomach aches every day, and I felt like he was changing in ways that were very concerning and that no parent wants to see. Throughout the year, the idea of homeschooling kept coming up, and it started to seem like it might make sense for our family. I still rejected the idea, until the last day of school. It was the look on his face. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I remember the realization that it was something God was asking me to do, and I knew it was the best choice for my son. The turmoil of the year and all the frustrations and worries gave way to peace as I determined to obey God.
Obedience Equals Peace
Mary, the mother of Jesus, experienced peace through obedience. Luke 1 tells us the story of when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her not to be afraid, that she had found favor with God and would conceive a son, Jesus, the Son of the Most High. It’s not too hard to imagine she may have had a lot of questions, but according to Luke, she asked only one. “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” That’s a fair question. Even though I believe God wants us to be ready to do His will, I also believe He’s able to calm our fears and answer our sincere questions. Your honest inquiries don’t faze God and do not mean your heart isn’t willing to obey Him. The angel told her how it would happen, why it was important, threw in the news of her cousin’s pregnancy, and ended with the mic-drop statement: “For the Word of God will never fail.”
Mary didn’t understand everything, but she trusted anyway. Mary had a heart of obedience before the angel, Gabriel, ever came to her. His response to her inspired her confidence to say in Luke 1:38, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Did she understand everything? No. But she heard enough to know God was in this. We need to live in daily surrender to the will of God so that when He asks something of us, we will be ready to act.
What Does Obedience Look Like?
Obedience looks like waiting, praising through hard times, leaving a toxic work environment, visiting a friend, hosting a dinner, or praying with someone. Sometimes it’s stepping out in faith to something God is calling you to do. Obedience is living out every day in surrender to God and trusting that He will provide, sustain, and give you peace while you fulfill His purpose. You may not fully understand why God is asking you to do something, but when you choose to trust and do it anyway, He will bless you for it.
“Peace is the Holy Spirit upon you, even though there is a storm swirling all around you.” – Priscilla Shirer
Mary was a very blessed woman. Her obedience came with peace from God, yes, but discomfort in other ways. Obedience doesn’t mean that what is asked of you will be easy or comfortable. However, you can have confidence, like Mary, that when you have surrendered your heart to God, he will be with you, peace will be abundant, and the Word of God will never fail.
