Guest Post by Author Cassie Downs
May the God of peace who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 (CSB).
I’m settled at my desk this morning, captured by the gleaming wet leaves whirling in the breeze. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear it was ice glistening, but it’s still August and very much summertime outside. Either way, it’s such a charming sight to my bleary eyes this morning. Last night wasn’t the pleasant sleep I imagined it would be as I crept into bed. Instead, I laid wide awake watching 1, then 2, and 3 a.m. pass by on the clock. The struggle to sleep wasn’t from a lack of exhaustion. We kicked off our school year yesterday, but the sleep struggle was because of a decision I would face just a few hours later.
You may not know this about me, but I am one of those crazy moms you hear about. You know: a homeschool mom. Our family loves homeschooling. I treasure having my children home with me, and they prefer having most Fridays off to chill out with their dad. The travel perks are nice too. Traveling back home to see our family without many missed days is awesome. Overall, it’s wonderful. However, there is a minor battle with our youngest child’s reading skills.
Tyler, my youngest, has dealt with this conflict in reading since kindergarten. I’ve done all I know to do, but year after year I feel like I’ve let him down. I realize you may think I should put him in school. And, just to assure you, we are far from anti public schools. Dustin and I both graduated from public High School, and our children have spent 50% of their school careers in public schools. Our choice to homeschool had zero to do with the school itself, and everything to do with what God spoke to us. Even when I don’t understand what God is doing, I resolve to answer yes when He speaks.
Back to the decision I was dealing with. Because of Tyler’s struggle with reading and my feeling of failure, I had reached out to the principal about enrolling him part-time for language classes. Administration was so friendly and happy to support us in any way they could. Tyler, however, wasn’t super excited (because of early mornings, is my theory), but we made the plunge and headed off to the open house to meet his new part-time teacher. She was wonderful in every way, and he was ready to start his first day. That evening, I arrived home, cooked dinner, watched a movie with the family, and climbed into bed. I never had another concern about my decision to enroll him part-time until my head reached the pillow. That’s when the battle began.
Overwhelmed with sorrow because of our decision, I felt we had made the wrong choice. I cried out to God for answers, and He whispered to me, “Cassie, I have created Tyler to learn and understand and I have equipped you to teach him.” Realizing once more, I had doubted what God could do in Tyler’s life, and in my own. I had denied Him access to that part of my life.
Sometimes, on this adventure called life, God will call us to things we don’t understand or things we don’t feel prepared for. But if we allow Him access, we can achieve all He has for us. No matter how you feel or how it appears, I invite you to say, “Yes, God.”
Noah, the great ark builder (Genesis 6-9) was an ordinary guy with a monstrous task before him. David, the giant slayer (1 Samuel 17), was a shepherd lad, another ordinary guy that God equipped with a sling and a stone. I have no idea what you are facing; maybe there’s an ark to build or a giant to kill in your life, but this is what I know. If God calls you, he equips you.
Prayer: Father, thank you for equipping me long before I said ‘yes’ to the assignment. I may face some big giants today, but you have equipped me with a bigger faith. Lord, may I not fall down in fear when confronted with hard times and laboring tasks, but help me lean into you and the equipping you are doing in me. God, I believe you can do anything you wish with my life, and I ask you to keep me humble and teachable. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Cassie Downs is a lover of Jesus and her family. She is the author of two books, Chasing Jesus and Unrivaled, both 60-day devotionals. Cassie is also the founder of Everyday Jesus Ministry, is a homeschool mom, and furniture flipper. She resides in Stockton, Mo with her high school sweetheart and husband, Dustin and their three teenagers.
Instagram @downs.partyof5