Jul. 6, 2009 - Homeschool Encouragement
I just want to pass on the encouragement that I received at the recent CHEK Homeschool Convention. I hadn't been to any homeschool conventions in a year or two, so it was nice to go and be encouraged by some pioneers of the homeschool movement. One of the most memorable speakers I heard was Michael Smith (co-founder of HSLDA).
I really loved hearing Michael Smith's heart come through when he spoke on "Homeschooling Demands Ever Increasing Faith". It just made me all the more glad that I am a member of HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association). To check out all they do and join, go to their website at www.hslda.org.
At one point Mr. Smith said, "God didn't call you to train your children for Harvard, but for Heaven." Isn't that so encouraging? What a great reminder of our most important reason to homeschool. It reminds me to take the burdens I'm carrying (like curriculums, extra-curricular activities, and never enough money!) and give them to Christ. We do not homeschool alone! How I need that constant reminder!
Michael Smith also said, "God didn't call the equipped, He equips the called". I've heard that statement many times, but I love the commentary he gave on it. He said something to the effect of (I didn't write fast enough for exact quotes : ) God didn't call certified teachers, Harvard grads, or the patient to homeschool YOUR children. He called you.
And to those people who say "I just wouldn't have the patience to homeschool my kids!" Michael Smith says, "We don't either! But God does." See how our faith has to become living faith when we homeschool? We get the opportunity to live out "with God all things are possible", and "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." We get the chance to put "skin" on our faith for our children. Our kids can zero in on hypocrisy like nobody's business, can't they? I think homeschooling is God's way of reminding us that our faith needs to be authentic.
The next part of Michael Smith's presentation is just so awesome to me. He reminded us that we are not "just homeschooling our little family". We are part of a much bigger picture, even though we lose sight of this so often. He said that just like Esther, God has raised us up to homeschool right now for such a time as this. And that God has called us to advance His message of salvation to the world by homeschooling. Doesn't that just humble you and re-ignite your committment to homeschool? This was so encouraging because I can really let the enemy make me question whether or not my faith is active and alive. Be assured--we really are living out our faith when we homeschool. And to think that God is using us to advance His message of salvation to the world through our homeschooling is such an encouragement and privilege. His presentation was like a friend who comes along, helps you up and refocuses your attention on the things that matter most in this life. The storms and struggles of our daily lives can just batter our strength to stay in the fight and keep homeschooling our kids. But to know that we have been put here in this moment in history for a reason has a way of lightening our load and strengthening our resolve to stay the course.
I will close with this quote from Michael Smith, "Faith is doing what we can't prove will be successful." Homeschooling IS an exercise in faith. We can't prove to the world that our efforts now will be fruitful later (really, no one can). We can't prove that our kids will get scholarships to college, get great jobs, or even stay faithful to God for that matter. But, we don't have to. God doesn't ask us to prove anything. He asks us to remain faithful to Him, and watch how He uses our imperfection (and our kids' imperfection) for His glory. Keep trusting God, loving your family, and being an Esther for such a time as this!
Comments
Jul. 6, 2009 - Love it!
Posted by tn3jcarter
Fantastic notes Candace. I need to post my notes IF I can still find them. Ha!
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