I don't know about other homeschooling moms, but every March I start thinking about the next school year. Since I've only been doing this for two years now, it has been an agonizing prospect every year. The first March, the Lord told me to homeschool again next fall. This year, when I was feeling some pressure to register her for public school, I prayed again and I felt the Lord telling me to wait, just wait. So, I waited since obeying the year before had brought such spectacular results. I wasn't sure what I was waiting for, though. In spite of Tori's turn around, she had continued to want to go back to public school. And, even though, she is in a much better place now, I am still convinced that is not the place for my child, or any of my children, no matter what grade they are in! I would love to see all three of my kids at the academy. The other two have done very well there, and I feel such a peace knowing that they are where they are supposed to be. But it has been quite a challenge this year to work three mornings a week at the academy, and homeschool a high-schooler full-time. Despite my continued prayers, Tori is still adamantly against going there next fall. I have been avoiding the subject of schooling next fall because I didn't want to get into a battle of wills. Also, the question came up as to what would happen if she insisted on going to public despite our continued opposition. Does a parent completely wipe their hands of it, and leave her to her own devices or do they take her through the process and stand beside her despite the rebellion?! Advice from experienced homeschoolers advised me to stand beside her no matter the decision. So, to avoid the inevitable conflict, I avoided the subject completely, praying in the meantime, God would block her from the public school, and give me the miracle I wanted by convincing her to go to the academy. Tori and I did have a relaxed and non-confrontational chat about my concerns and problems with public school to which she had an argument for everyone in her mind. Teenagers really should be lawyers! In the end, I closed the subject by telling her to just pray for God's will for her life. She told me she had prayed but I said, "No, you have prayed for what YOU want for your life, not what God wants!" To this, she had no rebuttal. In the meantime, I have avoided, agonized, stewed, and prayed about the situation. Last Thursday night, it dawned on me at about midnight, that I had been doing the very thing I had encouraged Tori not to do. I was praying MY will for Tori's life and was completely convicted! So, I repented and asked God to show me clearly what He wanted for Tori in regards to her education. Not 24 hours later, Tori and I were having a nice mother/daughter chat when she suddenly said, "Oh! I guess I should tell you what I'm doing for school next year." I inwardly cringed and prepared for the inevitable and ugly battle. Then she says, "I've decided to homeschool again!" I was ecstatic with shock and joy! And completely overwhelmed at how amazing God is! His timing was hilarious and has taught me a valuable lesson. When I surrendered my will to His, He knew I was finally ready to hear the answer to my months of prayers. More than just Tori is getting an education through our homeschooling journey!
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