here are only so many hours in a day, and often it can feel like we are racing to make the most of them. One might argue that we are simply being diligent, and God does call us to be diligent and productive (Proverbs 12:14). However, being busy isn’t always the same as being productive, and more isn’t always better… it’s just more.

My husband and I had always planned to homeschool, but we didn’t necessarily plan to have eight children in less than thirteen years. As we added more children to the mix, I found myself having to simplify over and over again. At certain points, I grappled with that very common question that every homeschool mom asks: “Are we doing enough?”

I felt very strongly that children should have margin in their days for play in the early years and to pursue their interests and hobbies as they got older. I also believed that children shouldn’t be rushed into bookwork at an early age, but instead, be introduced gradually as they seemed ready.

Chores were also an important part of our days, not only to teach work ethic, but to keep the house from falling down around us. Anyone with any number of children can tell you that it can feel like seconds between the house being in order and looking like a tornado hit! Chores were our way of streamlining the need to keep some order with our desire to instill a solid work ethic in our kids. This also involved giving direction, correction, and encouragement along the way.

We wanted to be sure that we were also taking the time to nurture sibling relationships. This involved dealing with sibling conflict in an effective and biblical way, along with encouraging our children to spend time together.

We also wanted to disciple our kids, which meant we needed margin for heart-to-heart conversation with them as needed.

All of this took time. It required us to prioritize, and by the time we did that, there were basically a few hours in the mornings for directed learning. I realized the plan had to be pretty simple and straightforward.

More than once I tried to squeeze in one more thing, only to have the peace in our home vanish, leaving behind a burnt-out mom and frustrated children. I knew that wasn’t what God had in mind for us because it simply was not sustainable.

But how could this be right? How could a simple, unhurried home education and family life ever be enough? I would envision others watching us and looking at our days with a critical eye and hear accusing voices repeating, “That’s all you do? That isn’t nearly enough.”

As I felt my courage shrinking, I would cry out to God, “There seems to be so much more peace when we do things this way, but how in the world will it ever be enough?”

What always came to mind was the story of the loaves and fishes. Remember that one? As the crowd of thousands spent time listening to Jesus teach, they became hungry. The disciples wanted to send them away to get food, but Jesus told them to feed the crowds. What a boldly impossible thing to ask! The disciples argued that there was no way they could do that! Jesus simply asked them to figure out what they did have, not what they didn’t. They came back and told him that they had five loaves and two fish.

Mark 6:41 says, “Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share.”

Jesus blessed the little bit that the disciples had to offer. Then what happened?

God was reminding me that, as believers, we don’t work in the world’s economy. We work in God’s. That means that He is perfectly capable of taking what we have to offer (some days we can offer more than others) and making it more than enough!

It didn’t matter what made sense to everyone else. It only mattered that I, like the disciples, followed the instructions of Jesus, and it so happened that he was calling our family to unhurried simplicity. I could move forward with bold confidence in the ways that I knew God was leading. He would take what sometimes felt like meager offerings and multiply them exponentially.

That is exactly what He did. Seven of our kids have graduated so far and are happy, productive, successful adults. They are so grateful for the approach that we took, and I’m thankful that I never had to be the perfect homeschooling mom.

Instead, I could lean into the Savior, slow my heart down, find contentment in simplicity, and rest in His bold love for our family.