Significance

In response to Material Things vs. Simple Things 
       

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PamLa/6439/
   Someone once said that the spiritual significance of something is in inverse proportion to the publicity surrounding it. A publicized event, like a parade, is more spectacular than it is significant. There is a lot of significance in simplicity, and I think that’s what you were writing about.

    We didn't do the graduation thing with our oldest daughter Claire. That may seem strange, but there are other stages in life that are more significant to us, but much less acknowledged by our culture. We call them the 5 B’s: birth, baptism, betrothal, bearing, and burial. Because our daughter's life flowed into adult responsibilities so fast – doors that the Lord opened (working

with children with special needs, teaching piano, and writing for TOS on a regular basis), there really wasn’t any reason to mark the end of homeschool. Half of her senior year was spent studying for and receiving her certification to become a NARA therapeutics riding instructor.
    We started home educating the day that Claire was thrust into our arms and have been home educating ever since. We are the keepers of her heart and have the awesome task of drawing her unto the living God. We hope we never graduate that privilege. Yes, our relationship will change when she marries, but until then we are still home educating because to us home education equals relationship.

   I’m not writing this to put anyone down who has celebrated the end of homeschool with a graduation ceremony. I’ve been to several homeschool graduations. They were wonderful celebrations. The parents felt the same way I do about their children’s hearts. But, because of how Claire’s life just kind of blurred into the next season we opted not to force ourselves to conform to a celebration that we weren’t excited about. Was it a more spiritual choice? No. It was just the choice we made together at the time.   

    I’m writing this to encourage someone out there that might feel the same but didn’t have words to express it. We recall vaguely hearing about the 5 B’s at a homeschool convention many years ago and they stuck with us. In fact, I think I might add one more "B" to the list. Bonding!  

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Jill Novak
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6:50 AM - Jul. 9, 2005 - post comment

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What an awesome philosophy! Thanks so much for sharing.

KarenW - 7:32 AM - Jul. 9, 2005

Graduations

I just loved your post and appreciate your focus! I completely agree with your first paragraph - very well put:

"Someone once said that the spiritual significance of something is in inverse proportion to the publicity surrounding it. A publicized event, like a parade, is more spectacular than it is significant. There is a lot of significance in simplicity, and I think that’s what you were writing about."

I don't know if we would go without any rite of pasage celebration for the kids, only because they wanted it, but we have done it and will continue to do it far differently than the one described in my blog.

My post that you referred to was about a young lady graduating from a public school. To me, the whole thing is total excess. The fact that the family is Christian and in the ministry I personally find a little disconcerting, but that's just me. That kind of thing is just not my speed and my DH and I have raised our children to do things more simply. If it were one of my children, I would hope they would want something a little less flashy and something with more substance.

We do celebrate the end of high school with a graduation ceremony/party, but far more low keyed than what this young lady is having. When our 24 yo dd graduated, it was a church thing and more on the formal side, but that's how she wanted to remember her passage into college. For our 20 yo ds, it was far more informal. A few friends, him playing the Star Spangled Banner and a couple of other songs on his guitar, prayer with both my husband and I and a couple of other key people in his life, and a special meal and cake. Again, as he wanted it. I think the graduate is the one who is graduating, so their wishes should be honored, provided that they are not carnal or in excess.

I've just gotta brag on these two. These are two great young adults. Our 24 yo daughter is a new teacher, making a meager salary in a Christian school (she is there by choice - she does not want to teach in the public schools) and our 20 yo son works at a market research firm and, after a year and change in community college, is studying to take CLEP exams while he figures out his next move - possibly a local state college or Bible school via distance learning. He's also making peanuts, yet these two got together and are sponsoring a child through Compassion International. That alone tells me just how straight their heads are on and shows their giving hearts. Both are unattached, waiting for God to bring his choice of a spouse, and growing with the Lord.

We have a dear friend whose son just completed his homeschooling and is going into the Army in the fall. His mom wanted to make a big shindig out of it, but knowing this young man for years, I encouraged her to talk to him and see what he wanted. He didn't want the hoopla. Instead, next week, our families will get together at his favorite restaurant for dinner to pray, fellowship, and celebrate. His church is planning a BBQ in his and his pastor's son's honor at the end of the summer, since both are going into the service in the fall. Simple and fitting.

Thanks for the imput!!

Blessings,
Pam

PamLa - 10:03 AM - Jul. 9, 2005

Random Blog Weekend!

I found your site while looking for my five random blogs to comment on . .. WOW! Great insight. Looking forward to coming back with a big mug of coffee to enjoy more.

Cynthia

gracefuljourney - 9:31 PM - Jul. 9, 2005

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