We have talked a lot in our home about God’s Word, biblical prophecy being fulfilled in our present age, defending our faith, etc.  Of course, homeschooling has given us time for that.  A few years ago I had to wonder, “What difference does it really make?”  It was a time of great concern for me, with both of our teens.  I had seen a lack of discernment in certain areas.  I really began crying out to God in prayer.  In addition to that, I spoke truth as often as I could (my husband as well, of course).  Homeschooling gave the opportunity for that.  It also stole opportunity from their peers to have a greater influence over them.  However, what I had been seeing caused great discouragement to my heart.  All my hard work and dedication.  What was it worth in the end?

God’s Word encourages us to not grow weary in well doing:   Galations  6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.(KJV)  The New American Standard Version uses the expression “lose heart” for “be weary.”  The English Standard Version states it the way I did, with “grow weary.”  I had lost heart.  I had grown weary.  I was very discouraged.  I fell to my knees.  Often.  Constantly.  I saw the battle my teens were in, for their hearts – their minds, and felt powerless.  I was, outside of prayer and God's truth being spoken.

I learned recently that my son has been witnessing to a few friends for quite some time now - friends that he knows from our local area.  He wondered if he was coming on too strong with some of his rhetoric – often this one friend seemed quite offended, as he took a stand against the worldly attitudes and wrong thinking this friend was expressing.  Recently, both of these friends received Christ, much due to my son’s influence – though my daughter is the one who spent quite a lot of time in the “reaping” process.  My son did a lot of seed planting over a long period of time, and my daughter reeled them in. : )

They learned that there is nothing, nothing, nothing that can ever compare with leading a friend to Christ.  My daughter is not new to this, but I’d say it was my son’s first experience with being a huge part in the process of being used of God in this way.  God used them both.  There is nothing like that.  Nothing.  My son and my daughter both, at that time, had a mountaintop experience in the Lord (beyond the salvation of these friends).  This was just a few weeks ago.  They came home, and my son spent hours – we were up until 1 A.M. with him – telling us all the work that God had been doing in his heart.  My daughter gave him the floor, because she is very “talky” and he is very quiet. She had much to share as well, but held her peace for the time being.  This rare moment had him spilling his heart, and my husband and I were relishing the opportunity to share in this.  Our hearts are so full.  Our daughter broke in a few times just to say to him “I love you!!”

My son was not looking for his Bible because we were making him.  He owns his own relationship with God, and is taking responsibility for it.  He is not trying to ride in on our faith.  Yes, there are other things I am still in prayer about.  There are areas that still need some discernment.  But I know that he is looking to the One who has all the answers, and his parents are still the main influences in his life, and ready to talk to him “whenever.”  I know that his relationship with God is real, and it is important to him.

I’ve said it before – homeschooling will not save our children!  However, it gives us the greatest opportunity for biblical parenting.  And it did – it did matter, and it does matter.  It did make the difference.  It gave us time and opportunity to seek God and speak truth.  Had he been away from us, in school, I think there may have come the temptation for “out of sight, out of mind” while I tended to the younger children.  Instead, he was in sight, on my heart, and I had MUCH opportunity with him.  Homeschooling our teens.  They need us.  They need our prayers, they need our input.  They need us to “not grow weary in doing good.”  Discouraged?  Don’t grow weary.  In due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  When fainting, go to the Lord.  Spend much time in prayer.  That is where the battle is fought.  He will restore.  He will encourage.  He will equip.

Deb Turner - Homeschooling from the Heart
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Featured Graduates and Alumni

Deb Turner has been homeschooling for 20 years, and is thrilled to have yet another 10 to go. She and her husband, Craig, have 5 children and 3 grandchildren.  Craig works as a mechanical engineer, while Deb enjoys raising her children and loving up her grandchildren. She also enjoys writing and gardening.