Today, our meme will be based on what your thoughts are on the following quote:
"Clearly there is an appropriate kind of sheltering. When those who are opposed to homeschooling accuse me of sheltering my children, my reply is always, 'What are you going to accuse me of next, feeding and clothing them?" ~R.C. Sproul Jr
Post your thoughts on your blog and then please come back here and link directly to your Heart of the Matter Online meme post.
I just had a conversation last week about sheltering. My response was that is my job as a parent. My husband and I have had this discussion a lot lately because we have many friends who are opposed to homeschooling. They are Christians and they make comments like "that is part of growing up", "they have to learn from their mistakes", "they need to know what goes on in the world", and on and on. I'm pretty sure my Bible says that I am not to conform to the ways of this world (Romans 12:2). To me that says that just because "it's part of growing up" in today's culture does not mean that it has to be part of my Christian children's childhood. We are to be different. We are to act different. We are to speak different. We are to raise our children different. I do agree that our kids need to know what goes on in this world so that they know how to combat it and how to pray. But knowing something and being right in the midst of it at 12, 13, even 17 are two completely different things. My girls know that sin abounds in this world. They see it all around them. They hear about it from friends at church. But they are not put out there in the world to experience right now. Right now is their time to be sheltered, to be safe, to live in a bubble in order to grow strong in their faith in Christ. Then when they are a mighty warrior for Christ they can leave our safe home to combat the sin in this world.
I hope you stand strong against those who look at you like you have lost every last brain cell you once had. Remember that our job is to follow the Word, not the culture we live in.
Great post. You're right; as Christians we are to be set apart. In this world, but not of it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! (Found you via The Heart of the Matter.)
It's so interesting that people think what goes on in a public school represents the real world. When I went to college, I noticed that the students had matured and the ones that didn't weren't in higher education. The bullying, bad language, drug dealing, and other negative behavior had stopped. I notice that in my real life, too. I don't have to experience all those negative things, that I did in public school, in real life. Everyday, my kids join me with participating in real life.
http://ellenfunlearning.blogspot.com/
I'm the friend Stacy referred to your blog- I'm so glad she did. This post is just what I've been trying to put into words for my husband, but couldn't get out. My girls are 2 and 6 months, so to some it may seem too early to be considering their schooling, but I believe it is never too early to plan for the future since the future seems to be today far too fast.
This has really brightened my day- thank you, thank you.
Great post! We are suppose to be set apart. Be in the world yet not of the world. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful reminder. Have a blessed weekend! Oh, I'm heading off to see your dc's blogs. That's such a cute idea!
Good thoughts......I've heard the same thing, even from Christians who think their children should have a ministry in the public school. I feel my job is to prepare them for an adulthood of ministry and successful, effective lives. When they're children they can join in our family ministries, as a discipleship activity. If the Lord leads them to minister to someone, wonderful, but I'm not going to expect them to have the skills and spiritual stamina that a lot of Christian adults don't even have. I feel our job is to disciple them, and when the Lord feels they're ready for ministry He'll let us know.
Besides, my 18 yr old daughter has noticed many times how "sheltered" the regularly schooled kids have been compared to her and homeschooled friends. They just don't understand how the adult world works.
Keep up the good work.
bethanyrae
Welcome to our blog! I hope you enjoy your visit. We are a homeschooling family of 5. Our approach is eclectic, but leaning more and more towards Charlotte Mason. Our girls are 9, 7, and 4. Never a dull moment as we desire to teach our girls in the ways of the Lord.
