Called Home: Finding Joy in Letting God Lead Your Homeschool

by Karen DeBeus

In the Spring of 2006 I was called to homeschool. It was never my intention or my plan, but God clearly showed me this was a calling. It was a hard step to take, but the Lord directed my steps... I have not looked back since. Although the homeschooling journey is difficult at times, if God has put you on this path and called you here, He will lead you through each day. We simply need to stop chasing things, and start chasing Him. This book will encourage you to keep your focus on the One who has called you here. Through my personal story and experience, you will see what happens when we take our eyes off of Him, and how each day can look when we regain our focus, fix our eyes on Him and on the true goals of homeschooling... "Maybe you are just starting out, or maybe you have been doing this awhile. Either way, there is most likely some amount of fear. Fear of the major responsibility that homeschooling is, or fear that you aren't doing it "right." Perhaps you are tired. Burnt out. Running on empty. Maybe you are up to your eyeballs in curriculum catalogs, reviews, planners, highlighters, label makers, and resources. Meanwhile the laundry calls, the dishes pile up, and the kids are tired. You are tired. You are trying to decide how on earth you are going to do it all. Or maybe you just are ready to throw in the towel altogether. Well, take a deep breath. Relax. The One who created the universe in a breath, the One who called you to this journey, is in control. Yes, He is in control of your homeschool. Is anything too hard for Him?" ~Karen DeBeus, Called Home

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Parenting, Education, Faith

96 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2012

About the author

Karen was called to homeschool when her oldest child was about to enter kindergarten. She had no intention of homeschooling; after trying to run as far as she could from it, she obeyed the call and is now passionate about homeschooling. Karen is the author of Simply Homeschool, Called Home, and Real Homeschool. She speaks nationally at homeschool events, and truly believes her ministry is to encourage others on their journey. Karen is also the author of her blog Simply Living for Him, and she is the owner of Bible Based Homeschooling. 
To find out more, please visit Simply Living for Him.com.

Reviews

[Laura]

I love how simple, and honest this book is. It's a very short and easy read, however, I think I highlighted a third of the book. I needed this read. I needed encouraged and reminded that each homeschool family is different, and that it doesn't matter what your friends or family are doing for their children's education, it doesn't matter what curriculum you use, it doesn't matter how many organizers you buy or what your homeschool room looks like. All that matters is that I am following God's lead, seeking God as my families foundation, and doing our best for Him. This was calming to my soul to just sit back and release all the fears and feelings of loneliness in my call to homeschool. In the back of the book, there are many pages to journal prayers, goals, and she has bible references for 31 days that you can write down and pray over.

[Michelle Maddox]

Great encouragement! Feel as though God lead me to this book.

[Abby Glann]

Maybe I'm reading this too late in the game, but I was so bored reading this. It was the same thing said differently over and over and over. Meh.

[Cheryl]

Short, sweet chapters. Could easily be read in a week or so but I was participating in a book club with it. I think that helped me slow down and really ponder her words. After the first 4 chapters, I almost stopped reading it. I felt I had already learned the lessons she was talking about. But because of the book club and my many conversations with moms in homeschool groups on FB, I pressed on. Again, it really is an easy read.
As I finished it up, I found such validation in what I had been saying for a couple years already. It was encouraging to know I was not the only one who had come to these conclusions about researching homeschool curriculum and how it takes the form of an idol in our journeys sometimes.
Quick read but I appreciate how she cuts to the heart of the matter. In today's busy world, give me the meat without all the banter! Highly recommend!
Favorite quote: "Being in His Word is not something we do; it is something we live. We need to let His Word transform us. The Bible says His Word is alive and active. It is powerful. It is not merely a book of rules, instructions, or words. It is life. It is life changing. It transforms."

[BlueMeadowlark]

This is an excellent book for new and veteran homeschoolers alike. Karen has a fantastic knack for taking all of the options and opinions in the homeschool world, sweeping away the noise and the clutter, and leaving the reader with the simple truths of the gospel as it relates to our homeschooling journey. Whenever I come across a new homeschooler looking for guidance, this book (and its companions, also by Karen DeBeus) is one of my top recommendations every time. There is no better advice than to keep your eyes on Christ while you lead your children!

[Reyna]

Puede mejorar mucho la edición

Está corto, lindo para animar quizá a nuevas en la educación en casa. La autora me suena genuina, sin embargo, hubiera sido mejor con una mejor edición, lo sentí desorganizado y muy repetitivo, en otras partes como una serie de artículos sueltos pegados en un libro. De nuevo no es el contenido o intención lo que juzgo, sino creo que se puede mejorar mucho las forma. A veces sucede eso con las tradiciones...

[Jahaira Barrantes]

Por medio de una lectura sencilla y práctica, Karen nos anima a tener nuestros ojos siempre en Cristo. Nos comparte de sus luchas, sus experiencias y su historia sobre la educación en el hogar. Creo que la lectura de este libro ha traído un enfoque fresco sobre nuestro llamado misionero en el hogar y a aprovechar todas las áreas de crecimiento como familia para enfocarnos en el Único, el autor y consumidor de nuestra fe Cristo!! Grs Karen por este libro! Lo disfruté mucho

[Carolina]

A Good Reminder

Being in my early years of homeschooling I have been super focused on the academics, this book was a gentle reminder to tune my heart to the Lord in my planning and discipling of my children. I am excited about using the appendix which is a list of verses to meditate on during the month in seeking His will for our homeschool.

[Suzanne Katherine]

An excellent book that helps the homeschool parent reorient their focus on the most important thing, the Lord. This book will help you understand better how the Lord calls you to homeschool and guides and directs every step of the way.

[Eileen]

Very good book, though nothing I haven’t heard a million times having homeschooled for 13 years (though not currently but hoping to again). Would definitely recommend to a new homeschooler. Karen has a genuine love for God that shines through in her writing.

[Nora Olmo]

EXCELLENT BOOK FOR ALL TO READ....WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES, IS WHAT WE LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES IS WHAT REALLY COUNT..... THE HEAD OF EVERYTHING IS THE BIBLE......

[Kristi Lambert deter]

I needed this.

[Ashlie Hill-Paulin]

Such an encouragement to my soul, a must read before a new year! I feltover in, blessed and ready to make sure my homeschool is on a foundation of rock lead by the Lord!

[Kendra]

Loved the advice she gives.

This is great for anyone beginning the homeschooling journey, like me, who wants to keep God at the center of our days.

[Nancy]

Que lectura tan inspiradora y maravillosa, centrada en el llamado de Dios para todas las madres HS. La amé

[Missy A Staggers]

Letting Him lead

I really liked this book. The author was correct in saying we need to let God lead in our homeschool, we need to let Him lead our whole lives as well. Great book, really enjoyed it, it helped me identify some areas in our homeschool that I needed to let go and let God lead. He knows better than I do.

[Julie]

What an amazing book! It is a fairly short and simple read, but every word is packed with wisdom and beauty. The principles that this book teaches, about letting God lead our lives are applicable not only to homeschooling, but to everything that we do, every day of our lives. I simply can't say enough good about this book!

[Liza Janell]

Great refresher for homeschool moms! Its is too easy to lose focus in the day to day of lesson plans and laundry. Being encouraged to keep focused in the Word and not myself is so important. One of the appendixes is a 30 days of prayer for your homeschool which i reference back to 2-3 times a year.

[Rochelle Brown]

This is just a perfect little encourager every homeschooler should have to read on those days that everyone and everything seems against them.

[Judy]

Great book on slooooowing down...and remember who has called you home. God has! You can't cover every subject and often we get caught up in the details or comparison to others.

[Stacy]

This is a great book packed with so much truth! If applying it was as easy as reading it I'd be set.

[Kristin]

Must for homeschoolers!

Great wisdom and encouragement! DeBeus brings the Word of God to the forefront of your homeschool. A resource I will continue to turn to.

[Lindsay]

I really needed this encouragement! Just a practical refresher when things get "old" and the new school year attitude wears off.

[Christabelle]

Sometimes you just need a reminder! Great reflections on Who is in charge and why we do this. Glad for this!

[Rykiel]

This book is such a blessing and great encouragement for homeschooling families!

[Vanessa]

Great advise about homeschooling focused on the Savior.

[OCTAVIO ESCOBAR]

Practical, she show Him trough homeschooling

God bless you, Karen... Beautiful and inspiring book
Recommended for Christian parents.
I finished the book with a clear path in my mind and soul!

[Ariel]

So encouraging!