So, today is Friday - our running around day.  I take my oldest to his piano lessons.  While he is there, my other two children and I walk around the neighborhood.  After his lessons, we go to the optometrist's office to get my oldest son's glasses adjusted.  They were VERY crooked.  Next, we go to my daughter's ballet class.  She was so excited as a friend of hers has signed up for the same class. 

After that, we head to Costco to get a healthy (not) lunch - hot dogs.  Then, we head into the store to get some groceries.  As I head to the checkout, I see a woman whose son plays in the same baseball league as my boys.  I actually went to high school with her.  We played softball together in high school.  That was the extent of our friendship.  She is very nice, and it's been fun chatting with her while our boys play ball together.  She has four or five children, I can't remember.

So, anyway... back to being in line at Costco.  She sees me with my three kids, and she asks, "Are your kids on early Spring break?"  I said, "No. We homeschool." 

She says, "Oh!  I thought they went to a private school."  I said, "No, we homeschool." 

Her response?  "You're CRAZY!" 

I didn't have much to say to that, so I just kinda laughed at her amusing remark.  She then repeats herself, "You're CRAZY!  I live for school!!!" 

And, then we parted ways as the person checking me out was ready for me to pay.  I stood there in line with my kids, my seven-year-old hugging on me and my soon-to-be five-year-old helping put the items on the conveyor... and I thanked God for the blessing of homeschool.

It's hard to not take offense sometimes at how people see you ~ people who, from the comments they make, don't enjoy their children.  Oh, don't get me wrong... there are days that I'm worn out from the constant training and noise that goes along with being home with my kids all day.  I have my days where I am longing for a break - to do whatever *I* want to do... but I know this is what God has called me to do at this time in my life.  I'm thankful that I've come to a point of embracing that calling.  Thank, You, Lord!!

I do not know what the future holds for us as we continue on this journey.  I know that I will run into more people down the road who inquire about homeschooling and disagree with the choice we've made.  That's okay... they can call me crazy... I can live with that. 

How about you?  Have you embraced the calling of homeschooling?  If not, what is holding you back?  Remember that we only need to focus on doing what God has called us each to do ~ even if the world sees what we do as crazy.

Blessings,

~LISA

Copyright @ March 2006 Lisa Ball