This is a great post Lee. I too am a mom that struggles. I have smart boys but am always doubting this journey. They will not have incredible scores on the ACT and SAT and I worry daily about what I will do when I see those scores. I know this time homeschooling is priceless and I would not have it any other way. But, when others brag about what wonderful success their kids are experiencing I am the mom that is quiet and wishing the subject would change. It is encouraging to hear others are on this rocky road and this too shall pass. Thank you for all the support and great posts. Every little bit of encouragement is so greatly appreciated.

Lois,
I'm so glad it was encouraging for you! I want to respond to one phrase you used "Their scores on college entrance exams will not stand out." Check out this article:
20 Great Colleges for Students with Low SAT Scores
http://collegeapps.about.com/od/choosingacollege/tp/great-schools-low-sat-scores.01.htm

Even low SAT scores can stand out to some colleges. Some colleges average SAT is below the national average.

As you say, it's certainly not the most important thing but I did want to encourage you about that small detail.

Blessings,
Lee

Thanks for this post, Lee, it was very encouraging for me. I am somewhere along the way on this homeschooling journey. My kids are not brilliant, nor are they disabled. I'm sure their scores on college entrance exams will not stand out. As a mom, I'm always concerned that I will be judged, and the homeschooling community will be judged based on how my kids perform. And yet, in the light of eternity, what is important is how they are following the Lord and making wise choices.

Lee,
I came across your post on a facebook page. I often quote this verse when talking with friends about my son's disability, usually when someone tells me God chose me as his mother because He knew I would be the best mother for my son. It is patently clear that I am not the best possible mother for this child! This is not a Biblical sentiment. Instead, the Bible teaches that our condition in life--be that disabled child or sinful, justified, failing, and at-times-succeeding homeschooling mom--is given to us so that GOD may be glorified.
I am ok with asking myself, "Where did I go wrong?" because I know I have failed my children and because I know there is forgiveness and glory to God even in that acknowledgement.
Sometimes God is glorified when someone is healed (as in the passage) or miraculously succeeds beyond all expectations (as in the stories). Other times he is glorified when a parent comes to the end of herself, acknowledges her sins and failings, and learns to truly accept God's grace and forgiveness and to rely on God, even when successes do not come.

That particular person doesn't have a blog, but she's a very good friend of mine and I see her almost every week :-) I'll tell her to start a blog, and I'll tell her you said so!

Debbie did give me some quotes when I wrote the article about College for Struggling Learners here: http://www.thehomescholar.com/college-for-struggling-learners.php

Blessings,
Lee

What an encouraging post, Lee. I struggle so much with this. My children do not have disabilities, so I don't fit in that category. But it always seems that every other non-disabled, homeschooled child is so advanced and doing so much and mine aren't.

Does the person whose child couldn't read at 12 or spell at 17 have a blog? I would love to read it if that's the case.

Thanks!