When my oldest turned three, God began to lay homeschooling on my heart.

Those who know me now (PHSL – “Post-Homeschool Laura”) read that sentence and are not surprised by it. No raised eyebrows. No chins falling to the chest.

But those who have known me for a long time (Pre-HSL), know how jolting and unsettling that prompting was. It rocked my world.

The nudge coincided with a spiritual growth spurt happening in my life. I was becoming a woman of the Word, attending a weekly Bible study and, with my husband, getting involved in a church with solid Biblical teaching.  I was learning to listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

I was certain homeschooling really wasn’t something God would ask of me (I’m a CPA—not an elementary school teacher!), so I decided I would pray about it. That way, God could confirm that impression on my heart was most likely the sausage pizza hubby had brought home for dinner the night before, and not really His urging to consider home education.

But as I began to pray, home education was before me at every turn:

• Christian radio featured interviews from homeschool parents
• I was invited to a “Learn About Home Education” workshop
• A dear friend from church runs up and proclaims with tears in her eyes, “We’re bringing Ryan home!”

The more I prayed, the more He confirmed. It was so in my face at every turn that I decided, for the first time in my life, I would put on my big girl pants and obey God, even though this was way out of my wheelhouse.

My heart was not in it, but I willed my will to be.

My choice to home-educate was one birthed in obedience. I decided to follow where God was leading, even though it was a place I did not want to go. I knew it was right, even though it didn’t feel right.

My choice to home-educate was one birthed in obedience. I decided to follow where God was leading, even though it was a place I did not want to go. Click To Tweet

It occurs to me now all these years later that the mark of maturity is doing what we are supposed to do, or what we are called to do, or what is the right thing to do, even when we don’t feel like doing it.

Tasks like paying bills, making dinner, or going to work come to mind. I put home education right up there with cleaning bathrooms.

We began with preschool when Kyle was three. I think God knew I needed a running start to make this new lifestyle become a reality.

As time went on, the most extraordinary transformation occurred. My white-knuckles/grin-and-bear-it/we-will-do-this grip of obedience to homeschool morphed into a more relaxed/hey-this-is-working/joy-in-the-journey/thank-you-Lord heart and mindset.

My verse for this season is Psalm 37:4 –

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

The mark of maturity is doing what we are supposed to do, or what we are called to do, or what is the right thing to do, even when we don't feel like doing it. Click To Tweet

Home education did not begin as the desire of my heart, but as I chose to keep God on the throne of my life and to delight in bringing Him glory, He did something a little sneaky: He gave me the desire of my heart, but He did it by changing my heart to bring it into alignment with His.

I’m so grateful for His holy nudges.