Some days, even the most dedicated homeschooler may find herself thinking wistfully about that big yellow bus. Sometimes I get tired of the day in, day out WORK of discipling my children and imagine it would be nice to let someone else give it a go.
My children would be taught where the big yellow bus deposits its riders, but they would not be discipled. There are some wonderful Christian teachers out there, but are they allowed to overtly tell what the Bible says about the subjects that they teach? The system won’t allow it.
And what about the Christian school? Is that a viable option?
Perhaps for others, but not for me.
It is not enough for me that my children learn their math and history in a Christian environment. I want the Bible and theology brought to bear in a meaningful way on every subject, and I want it to be applied to their individual lives, as well. The only way I can be sure that this is being done is to do it myself.
My children have questions. Loooooong questions, which can’t be always answered in two minutes. Why is communism an unbiblical system? What is a Christian worldview of money, and how should I be using mine? Why does math always have a right answer? If God is sovereign over life and death, should a Christian be afraid of dangerous places? Should I become a missionary? What do people do in heaven? Is “Finders-Keepers” a fair rule? These were just a few of the questions that my children asked during school this week. This is one reason why I homeschool.
Would anyone answer these questions if my children went somewhere else for school? Would they even ask? Or would they file these questions away in their little hearts, and forget them at the end of their busy day? I don’t want to find out.
Who has the time to address their personal concerns, moment by moment? I do.
Who can exhort them in the Word regarding their own unique character issues, and who can apply its truth to their specific situation? I can.
Who will teach my children, because it is their solemn, God-given duty to do so?
I will.
This is one of the reasons I choose to homeschool. I acknowledge that there are many godly Christians who have chosen a different path for their family. If you want to read more about the benefits of homeschooling, I would recommend this article by Phil Lancaster on The Future of Homeschooling.
“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.” Deuteronomy 11: 18-21
Thanks Molly. Thursday, our last day of school this week, found me telling my work-at-home husband that I hate homeschooling. I hated spelling nearly as much as they do, which is saying something. It was just one of those days. We all have them.
I sigh, gird my loins and just keep going, knowing it’s the best for them (and me).
By only the grace of God I do not have a career I want to go back to. I feel very fortunate for that. The appeal of nice clothes, hot lunches, adults to talk to would be much more appealing if I had had that.
I hope you are feeling better.
Jennifer