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I didn’t read as many books last year as I had hoped I would, but the ones I actually finished were some of the best I’ve ever read. Instead of getting through stacks of books, I just slowly savored a few, going over paragraphs again and again.
Homeschool Bravely – Jamie Erickson
You know those days when you wish a seasoned homeschool mom would sit down with you over a cup of coffee and tell you that everything is going to be ok? This book fell into my lap during a long lonely season in my homeschooling journey, and it was exactly what I needed to hear. Not only was it overflowing with encouragement and practical advice, but Jamie’s brave perspective on homeschooling will give you fresh eyes to see the calling that is right in front of you. Best of all, this book points you straight to Jesus.
Some of my favorite quotes from Homeschool Bravely:
“God is in the business of calling foolish, simple people to do great and mighty things—not because they are able, but because He is.” pg. 42
“Perfect love can be trusted, and so can the Giver of that love. When you fix your mind on Him and trust in His plan, He promises perfect peace (Isa. 26:3-4). He is big enough to hold up your homeschool, even when you can’t.” pg. 43
“…I never want to sacrifice relationships on the altar of homeschooling. The world doesn’t need another smart person…What it desperately craves are people who can show kindness, compassion, honesty, and integrity. I don’t just want God’s plans for my homeschool to inform my kids, I want His plans to transform them. My children need Jesus more than they need a perfect education.” pg. 166
Holy Hygge – Jamie Erickson
Jamie Erickson very quickly became one of my favorite authors this year. I devoured this book during the long frozen nights of February. I felt an instant companionship as she shared stories of surviving long cold winters in Minnesota. This book inspired me to love my family well by making our home warm, comforting and inviting to others. I absolutely love the sincerity and blunt honesty that she writes with. No matter what she’s talking about, it always ends up being about Jesus.
Some of my favorite quotes from Holy Hygge:
“We don’t need Jesus and fill-in-the-blank. All we need is Jesus. Full stop.” pg. 17
“Hospitality, thriving relationships, well-being, a welcoming atmosphere, comfort, contentment, and rest—these are the markers of hygge. But they’re also qualities seen in the first Garden home and exhibited by Jesus.” pg. 17
“Jesus’ life was not a dichotomy of sacred and secular. Every part had eternal weight.” pg. 20
“Jesus met the need in a person’s hand before He met the need in their hearts…He satisfied physical needs before He met spiritual ones, and in the end, the former almost always paved the way for the latter.” pg. 39
The Disciple-Making Parent – Chap Bettis
I first heard Chap on Focus on the Family, on a summer night driving home from yet another busy day of activities. He mentioned that he told his kids, “I’ll die for you, but I won’t live for you”, and I was instantly hooked. He went on to say that contrary to many families today, his kids were not the center of their family or the universe. He taught them that Jesus was the center of the universe and all of his life and parenting decisions revolved around that central fact. He encouraged families to prioritize discipling their children above everything else, sports, activities, education etc. He and his wife homeschooled their four now-adult children and this book had a huge impact on my homeschool this year as well. I haven’t finished the whole book yet, but this is by far one of the best parenting books I have ever read.
Some of my favorite quotes from The Disciple-Making Parent:
“Your beautiful baby is an image-bearer of God. He or she is made to glorify God and enjoy an eternity with Jesus Christ. That’s what you have created—not just a baby—but a person who will live forever in heaven or forever in hell.” pg 4
“Few stop to ask ‘Why?’ ‘What is the goal?’ ‘What are we aiming at?’ For many parents, the answer to these questions is ‘good, educated, and well-adjusted children.’ Unfortunately this confusion spills over into the church of Jesus Christ as well. Even Christian parents are imitating non-Christian parents in their goals and values.” pg 4
“God’s intent in giving you the privilege of creating new lives is for you to raise them to know and love him.” pg 5
“The truth of the gospel is transferred through relationships.” pg 6
“The first battleground of family discipleship is not my child’s heart; it is my heart. Each parent must decide whether he is more concerned that his child is accepted into Heaven or ‘Harvard.’ pg 17
M.O.M.–Master Organizer of Mayhem – Kristi Clover
Administration and organization are at the very bottom of my skill set. My poor family has lived with my disorganization for far too long, and long story short, this book completely revolutionized the way I manage our home. Written by a homeschooling mom of 5, her philosophy resonated with me and her methods actually worked!
Some of my favorite quotes from M.O.M. Master Organizer of Mayhem:
“I want my home to breathe life into all who enter and live here. I want to create an atmosphere that radiates love and a place where my family wants to be. Knowing these goals helps motivate me to do the work necessary to bring about that simplicity, joy, and peace.” pg 11-12
“We can declutter all we want, but if our priorities are out of whack then we will end up right back where we started—frustrated and overwhelmed. We can even implement some of the systems for getting organized, but if we aren’t tweaking them for our own personality and family, we may want to just give up.” pg 13
“Organization is about increasing the efficiency in our home so that we can maximize our time with our family and for other priorities.” pg 19
ESV Study Bible
And finally, this was one of the biggest reasons why I didn’t get as many other books read this year. Every time people asked me what books I had read lately I had to tell them, “Honestly, I’ve just been reading the Bible a lot.” This past year God really challenged me to go to Him first before anyone else, and the more I read the Word the hungrier I became for more. Obviously scripture is good no matter what Bible you happen to pick up, but this study Bible has excellent notes and has been especially helpful as I seek out answers.
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed…Taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed in the man who takes refuge in him!”
Psalm 34:4-5, 8
There you have it, some of my very favorites! I’m still revisiting all these books and learning from them this year as well! I hope you find some of them helpful and encouraging in your homeschooling journey this year.
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