I remember one morning, early in my homeschooling years, when I was already exhausted before the day even started.
Our youngest had been up half the night with a stomach bug. My boys were playing loudly, doing whatever it is boys do to make the most noise. I already felt behind before my day even started, and my to-do list was longer than the state of Tennessee.
I walked into the kitchen, looked around, and thought, Something has to give.
It wasn’t that I didn’t love homeschooling—oh, I did! It wasn’t that I didn’t want to disciple my kids—that brought me so much joy. But if I were honest, my home felt more like rush hour traffic than a place where my kids could clearly see Jesus.
And in that moment, God impressed on my heart:
Leslie, you can’t be effective in your mission if there is an utter lack of peace in your home.
You see, our mission as parents is clear: to bring our children to Jesus, to give them a foundation of faith, and to prepare them to follow Him wherever He calls.
But I’ve learned something the hard way:
If my heart isn’t at peace, my home won’t be at peace—and the mission will suffer.
The world we’re raising our children in is noisy, fast-paced, and full of conflict. And honestly? Sometimes our homes can start to feel the same way. But biblical peace—the kind God offers—isn’t just the absence of noise or conflict.
It’s a wholeness. A completeness. A deep rest in knowing Who God is and trusting Him completely.
Over the years, God has taught me that peace doesn’t just “happen.” It’s cultivated. And the way we cultivate it matters, so I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned that I pray will help you as you launch into this new homeschool year.
Keep your mind anchored in Scripture.
If we don’t know God’s Word and Who God is, we won’t have anything to hold onto when the day goes sideways.
- Start small if you have to. Read a Psalm over your morning coffee. (I have a new devotional book to help you do just that.) Write a verse on a sticky note and put it on your bathroom mirror or your refrigerator as a reminder to meditate on it throughout the day.
- Let your kids see you in God’s Word—that speaks louder than any lesson you’ll teach them.
Begin the day with prayer and direction.
Before the noise starts, ask God to order your steps and guide your conversations.
- Sometimes my prayer is as simple as, “Lord, show me what’s most important today—and help me do it.”
- And when the interruptions come (because they will), I remind myself: maybe this moment is the mission for today.
Practice the presence of God all day long.
1 Thessalonians 5 tells us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in everything.
- This doesn’t mean we have to stop math lessons to kneel on the floor. It means we train our hearts to talk to Him in the middle of life.
- Rejoice when the toddler finally naps. Give thanks when you find a missing library book. Whisper a prayer before answering your teen’s difficult question.
Every time we hear God’s Word, we’re called to respond. So here’s what I’m asking myself (and I invite you to do the same):
Where am I looking for peace? In a perfectly clean house? In my children’s good behavior? In my own sense of control? Or in the God who never changes?
What’s my response to God’s invitation to live in His peace? Will I keep trying to manufacture it myself, or will I receive it from Him?
Friend, you and I both know that the new school year will have its share of challenges. There will be days when the lesson plan gets scrapped, when someone gets sick, when tempers run short.
But here’s the good news: peace isn’t dependent on your circumstances—it’s a gift from your loving God.
As we begin this homeschool year, my prayer for you is that you will fix your mind on the One Who is your everlasting Rock. That His peace—the peace that passes all understanding—will guard your heart and your home.
Because a peaceful home isn’t just pleasant—it’s powerful for the mission God has given you.
