As a single mom, struggling more than I ever have to keep all the balls in the air, I often get questioned about my decision to homeschool.  During those moments when my own personal doubts about why I do this thing I love are confused with worldly "common sense,"  I have to fall back on why it is so important for me to continue to do this.  These are some of my reasons:

1. God has called me to do this.  Because of His grace and mercy, He will likely bless me even if I reject His call and choose a different way, but why would I want to do that?  What might I miss out on if I make such a choice?
2. If I truly believe that God has mandated me to homeschool in scripture, my obedience is not contingent on my circumstances.
3. My children have already lost their father and grandfather.  They should not be made to feel as if they have lost their mother too.  The hustle and bustle of a life with children in three different grades, potentially involved in a myriad of activities, and me always rushing to live by the clock to get everybody where they need to be when they need to be there would leave precious little time left  for relationships with them.
4. I have several generations of generational sin to combat in our lives.  It will take much of my time and attention to train my children in a more godly way of living than some of their parents and grandparents have chosen.
5. My boys will someday be husbands and fathers.  I want to develop an appetite in them now for home life. Incidently, my boys will someday be husbands to your daughters.  Don't you want to see me do everything I can to train them to be good at it?
6. This choice to homeschool is dependent upon the Lord for success.  As I learn to depend upon Him, my faith will grow and will benefit others who see the strength and success the Lord gives me.
7. I have the opportunity to do something that seems nearly impossible.  Who gets the glory for accomplishing this impossible thing? God does, but I get to be a part of bringing Him that glory.  What greater priveledge is there for a believer?

I think it is interesting that so many churches will acknowledge the call and faithful obedience of missionaries who go to foriegn countries, many of them going on less-than-required support but trusting God to provide.  Yet the same believers question a mom who wants to stay home to preach the Gospel to her children.  Why?  It is the numbers?  I know missionaries who have worked nearly their whole lives with few converts until much later.  The importance of the work?  "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" Matt 19:14 (NIV)  The impossibility of the situation?  The entire Bible proves that God loves a challenge!  I just don't get it.  I think we need to take inventory of our faith and what we are believing God to do.  Anyway, I won't keep beating this issue to death.  I would strongly urge anyone wrestling with these same questions, whether a homeschooling single parent looking for encouragement, or someone curious about how and why they should help single parents homeschool to check out the recording "Defending the Fatherless" by Doug Phillips; it is available from Vision Forum.