**WARNING: This blog entry is being written while standing on a very tall soapbox.**
When the Lord called our family to homeschool there was no directive given on exactly how it was to be done. He didn't send down a lesson plan or endow me with visions of what we were to do. He called...we're following...and He is graciously leading day by day.
We're on a journey. My path doesn't look like your path and your path doesn't look like Suzie's path. Why then are so many Christian homeschoolers convinced that everyone's path must look like theirs?
One of our local hs groups has decided that there are some in our community who have chosen to homeschool in a way that is not acceptable. It doesn't fit their idea of how parents should be educating their children and therefore it is a threat to homeschoolers everywhere. They have gone so far as to call a boycott of a local Christian homeschool store that is supporting this "renegade" group. Unfounded fear is a powerful and destructive force.
How we choose to homeschool our children is OUR business. We will answer to the Lord for how we have traveled this road. The manner in which we choose to homeschool our children is not the issue. The problem is allowing these non-salvation issues to cause division among Christians. That is nothing short of sin. Scripture repeatedly exhorts us to encourage and build one another up...to avoid divisiveness. Division is a powerful enemy among Christians. It weakens our testimony, making us ineffective for Christ.
OreoSouza made an awesome point in her entry today. In the days of the early church, persecuted Christians faced lions for their faith. Now the tables have turned and we have become the lions. Where there should be encouragement for the journey, there is anger and fear. Do I need to fear the way you're doing things because it's different from mine? Must I ostracize you because you aren't doing it my way? Heaven help us all. We need to stop tearing each other up...stop being so afraid and recognize that though our journeys are all different, our destination is the same.
Well spoken. I couldn't agree more. When I first began homeschooling 7 yrs ago, I got involved with a group that included people of all faiths and homeschool styles - these things were not the issue. My closest friend (the leader) had no trouble telling people who asked that she was not a Christian - and, you know, she was the nicest person in the group! I later started going to a new Christian group for a time but I started hearing things like, "Don't tell that other group what we're doing, we don't want them in our group". I'm currently going it alone as it seems the best thing for now. I'm waiting on God for guidance.
Spot on! I agree. I remember writing about issues similar - how we as homeschoolers are allowing ourselves to be divided...to nit-pick at each other bcz of 'issues'...issues that aren't related to salvation.
How sad! Not quite the testimony we should desire to show the world. I know I may not always agree with how others choose to school but, as you stated, we all have the right to make our own decisions and we are each accountable for our own families. Thanks for sharing so we can make it a matter of prayer!
Wow! What a controversy. I was recently on the website for the local curriculum store and read their defense so I figured something was up. I had no idea that there is a local group wanting to ban that store. I agree with you 100%. This store has been a huge help to the homeschoolers of our area and they are rising above the fight of judging how some choose to homeschool and trying to be there for all homeschoolers. We as homeschoolers need to rise above the pettiness and respect each others choices for homeschooling. Isn't one of the reasons we all homeschool is because we know our own children best and therefore can make decisions as to what is the best way to educate them.
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Can I just holler an Amen??!!
It breaks my heart that some of the most difficult people Christians may face are other Christians! In our country, persecution comes from within the church walls more so than from without...and how it must grieve our Lord!
We want everyone else's faith (and homeschooling) to look like ours. That's our confirmation that we are doing it right. We are scared little pitiful creatures.
Thank you so much for posting this!
Blessings,
Sonya
I really can't imagine this situation. Usually if someone doesn't do things your way you don't hang out with them all that much and that's it. Why would anyone think that they'd have a say in the education of anothers child. Now if they were keeping the kids in a cage in the basement and feeding them water and stale crackers... that's a whole other ball game !!
be blessed,
Miss Meg
It's gotten so big that a store got boycotted and they had to put something on their website? That is crazy! I agree with everything you said. If the people weren't happy then they should have quietly bowed out and done their own thing. Drawing a line in the sand and gossiping is destructive! I almost thought you lived by me because something similar is going on in the homeschool group we used to attend. Get me outta there! I think I'm much better off going it alone than getting embroiled in all the brou-ha-ha!
wow, first time visiting your blog, and I have to say an "amen" to this post. I can't guess what 'way' this group disapproves of, but we have a similiar situation here in So. Ca. I went to a christian groups moms night out hoping to meet a new friend or two and ended up in a tense discussion of my homeschool choices, being very much judged and labeled by a group of women who knew nothing about my home, circumstances or faith. I went home and cried. we have a neat homeschool store near us that does alot with this group, the store offers classes- I am leary of signing my kids up for any, wondering if I will be told I am not welcome. Can you tell this is something that gets me worked up a bit?! I stopped doing things with the christian groups and if we do anything with a group it is with the inclusive group. We don't exactly fit in there, but at least they show mercy. I grieve that christians can be so unloving.
Jenny (www.homeiswhereyoustartfrom.blogspot.com)
The daily, sometimes hourly, musings of a homeschooling mom of four surviving on prayer, friendship and lots of Starbucks. Some days my cup runs over and some days it all spills out the cracks...and I wouldn't have it any other way.
