Here we are, mid to late August—the season when everything seems to pile up at once. Homeschool refresh is starting. The garden harvest is demanding every ounce of energy. There are outdoor projects to wrap up before the cold sets in. And then the midweek church programs kick off again.

It’s a time of juggling, doubt, overwhelm, panic—yes, even burnout. The weeds in the garden, the endless laundry, the pressure to meal-plan and homeschool—all of it can feel like too much.

I don’t know about you, but September has always felt more like the “real” New Year than January. And with that comes the pressure of fresh starts, clean slates, and the sneaky lie that we should have it all together.

But mama, you don’t have to carry it all.

Here’s a little homework for you:
Write down your top three worries for this coming season. Maybe it’s pacing your curriculum, keeping your home uncluttered, or whether your tomato yield will actually ripen. Write them down—and then pray over them this week, one each morning. This is a small example of faith practices that sets the tone for your homeschool and home management.

Faithful practices

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6

This verse is a lifeline when the overwhelm rises. We aren’t capable of handling it all, even when we pretend we can. People may look at you and marvel, “How do you do it all?” But the truth is—we don’t. And we can’t.

God doesn’t call us to carry the weight. He calls us to trust His understanding over our own. Practicing this daily can be part of your faith practices—a gentle reminder to lean on Him in the small moments.

Practical idea: print this verse and tape it somewhere visible—planner, kitchen wall, homeschool corner. Let it be your daily nudge back to trust.

Heart-Prep Through Prayer (Over Planning)

James reminds us that it’s prideful to map out tomorrow without saying, “If the Lord wills.” Yet that’s what we do when we obsess over lesson pacing and project timelines.

Instead of more planning, start with more prayer. Honest, small prayers like:

  • God, teach me when I feel lost in lesson plans and laundry.
  • Jesus, guide my patience when chaos hits.
  • Lord, help me see the sacred in sticky floors and tiny voices that will not quiet down.

Pair your prayer with something ordinary. While folding laundry, canning tomatoes, or scrubbing dishes—turn your mind to God. Bless each child as you fold their shirts. Ask for wisdom as you stir the soup. Let prayer ride on the rhythm of your chores. This consistent turning to God can become part of your daily faith practices, even in the ordinary tasks.

Faithful practices

Remembering God’s Faithfulness

One of the most powerful antidotes to overwhelm is remembering God’s track record.

I’ll never forget one sweltering day when I thought I was being clever by baking bread in our outdoor smoker. I’d done it countless times, but part of the smoker was still broken. I threw in four loaves anyway, only to discover each one was burnt on the outside and raw in the middle. Nine years of baking, and somehow I made bread that was both overbaked and underbaked.

That mistake ruined my day for a while. But even in my crankiness, God met me with enough grace to finish the day.

Faith practices: Start a Faithfulness Journal. Each month, jot down one big or small way God showed up—in the garden, in your homeschool, in your messy home. Over time, those notes become your reminder that He’s never left you stranded. This simple journaling habit is a practical example of faith practices you can return to whenever life feels overwhelming.

Grace Over Perfection

Friend, stop aiming for Pinterest-perfect. What your children need is not a flawless homeschool, but a present, grounded mom.

Grace shows up in burnt bread, skipped lessons, and sticky counters. Grace means that “good enough” is enough.

One simple way to practice this? Designate a margin day each week. A day with no obligations—just rest, baking for fun, a walk in nature, or a slow family meal. If you plan dinner ahead, even cooking can be set aside. Rest is part of God’s design and a gentle example of faith practices in learning to trust Him with your time.

Take One Faith-Filled Step

Readiness isn’t about having everything figured out—it’s about choosing to begin even while uncertain.

Try these small, doable steps:

  • Set up a morning rhythm: Bible, breakfast, books.
  • Prep just one week, not the whole year.
  • Plan two slow-cooker meals to lighten your evenings.
  • Pick one outside-the-home activity and say no to the rest.

Each tiny step is a seed of faith, planted in trust that God will provide. Following these steps can become part of your everyday faith practices, reminding you that small actions matter when grounded in Him.

Closing Prayer for Courage & Trust

As September approaches and the pace quickens, take this prayer into your heart:

Lord, prepare my heart more than my planner. Calm the inner noise. Let this year echo peace over perfection. Teach me to nurture my children with grace, to learn with lightness, and to trust You with the unknown. Bless our home, our harvest, and our homeschool for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Let prayer and reflection grow into a simple, steady example of faith practices that sustains you throughout the season.

Hi, I’m Bri — the heart behind Hesitant Root. I wasn’t raised on a farm or homeschooled in the woods. I grew up with a city mindset and a fast-paced lifestyle. But after marrying my very country husband, things slowly began to shift. Over time, I traded drive-thrus for homemade meals and school drop-offs for homeschooling rhythms. Now, years later and with four kids in tow, I’m a newish homesteader, a homeschooling mama, and a firm believer in starting where you are. Here at Hesitant Root, I share our journey of growing food, learning at home, managing a small space, and trying to live simply, self-reliantly, and faithfully—even when it’s messy and loud. If you’re navigating motherhood, home education, or a slow shift toward a simpler life, I hope you’ll feel at home here. This space is for the hesitant, the hopeful, and everyone learning as they grow.
Bri Picard

Hi, I’m Bri — the heart behind Hesitant Root.

I wasn’t raised on a farm or homeschooled in the woods. I grew up with a city mindset and a fast-paced lifestyle. But after marrying my very country husband, things slowly began to shift. Over time, I traded drive-thrus for homemade meals and school drop-offs for homeschooling rhythms.

Now, years later and with four kids in tow, I’m a newish homesteader, a homeschooling mama, and a firm believer in starting where you are.

Here at Hesitant Root, I share our journey of growing food, learning at home, managing a small space, and trying to live simply, self-reliantly, and faithfully—even when it’s messy and loud.

If you’re navigating motherhood, home education, or a slow shift toward a simpler life, I hope you’ll feel at home here. This space is for the hesitant, the hopeful, and everyone learning as they grow.

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