Most of us homeschoolers (besides you rare super-high achievers who never stop grinding and you unschoolers who keep the same schedule year-round) are in summer mode with free time, downtime, camps, vacations, late nights, and slow mornings. And hopefully, not ALL the new math skills learned this year are evaporating out of the relaxed minds as the summer heat bears down!

I encourage you to soak up your summertime! Do not worry about this past year of school and how many things you didn’t do good enough (in your judgment). Do not fret about the school year to come. EnJOY your family with fewer demands, pressures, and expectations. BUT here’s one assignment I challenge you to do in July: spend time in prayer and conversation with the Lord & your spouse and reflect on the vision for your homeschool.

What is this all about anyway? Why are you homeschooling? What’s your end goal in it all and what is MOST important? Formulate your vision and write it down!

Do not fear – I am not encouraging you to dabble in new-age practices or some law of attraction type thinking that increases self instead of Christ.

My encouragement comes from how the Perfect Heavenly Father perfectly parents His children. And one of the ways the Lord shows us in His Word that He parents (and wants us to imitate!) is by helping His children have vision for their lives, including their homeschool.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction” Proverbs 29:18

The most important truth being communicated in this verse isn’t that there’s some magical power in a vision itself… but that the Lord desires to guide us and give us revelation of Himself and His Word so that we will not wander aimlessly and live “loosely”. This verse is a challenge to consider if we prioritize God’s wisdom and God’s ways and seek His will in every aspect of life. Are we rooting ourselves in His Word or in human reasoning and worldly values?

This is where a vision (including mission statement and aims) can truly help us keep our eyes fixed on Christ. To remind us that we want to do all things for Him, from Him, to Him and to keep an eternal perspective.

Without our eyes fixed on some aims or end goals, we will quickly wander into chaos, worldly competition (and then either pride or discouragement), and a destructive pace of life.

So, I encourage you this month to spend some time in His Word and write down a vision with your spouse for your homeschool:

1) Write down the overarching, big picture Mission Statement. Here are some questions to help you reflect on your mission: Why were we called to homeschool? How has the Lord affirmed the calling? What helps me lift my eyes so I don’t get bogged down in the weeds? What scripture encourages me to keep on persevering on hard days? What scripture helps me draw strength from Jesus?

2) And then for the aims, I challenge you to focus less on specific practical results or dreams for your children…. and more on the habits and disciplines and equipping you desire for them. What long-term character qualities do you long for the Lord to instill in your children?

In the vision we made for our homeschool it includes our Mission Statement and then 7 written aims that remind me what it’s all about and what MY role is. They help me stay focused as I desire to coach, instill, encourage, inspire, and teach the best I can. The aims can be written out as I did, as aims for yourself as the leader…. or they can be prayers and goals for your students. This is your vision with the Lord so write it out however He leads!

He truly is the Perfect Father and He desires to guide us and help us stay focused on Him and His ways. So spend time with Him and see what He reveals to you. Once your vision is written down – set a schedule to look at it and review it. Maybe every Monday morning? Once a month? or just have it handy for any of those times you feel yourself wandering and losing focus and motivation.

Here’s a free printable for you to use if you’d like!

Heavenly Father we praise you as the Good Shepherd and that you are Trustworthy. Thank you that you promise to care for your flock, especially those with young. Thank you Lord for your guidance, encouragement, and the strength you provide. We trust that you will give us all we need! Help us understand our mission and what our aims should be. We thank you for the freedom to homeschool and we pray blessing over each household. Help our homeschools abundantly thrive with each heart locked on you, not comparing to those around us but obeying and following you. Keep us focused on you, Christ, and discipling this next generation to love you and surrender to your Lordship and care. To you be all the glory and honor, Jesus!