The other day I was reading morning devotions to my children. We are currently re-reading through the New Testament and just finished the book of Matthew... so I think this was from Matthew, but now... I can't find it! Figures!
Anyway, it was the part that says something like: if your eye offends you cut it out... it would be better to enter the kingdom of heaven blind than in sin and if your leg offends you cut it off. It is better to be maimed than evil...
That is the completely mangled Christina REVISED translation!
Of course, I was quick to explain to my children that this is speaking of our spiritual life and of course Jesus was not telling us to cut up our physical bodies.
Anyway, suddenly it occured to me... and this is possibly a terrible misinterpretation... that this could apply to homeschooling.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am VERY pro-homeschooling and know that spelling bee and geography bee winners are usually homeschoolers and the average homeschooler's test scores are amazing, and I saw the most incredible artwork by a homeschooled child in The Old Schoolhouse magazine yesterday, etc.
But sometimes that is just not the case. Sometimes, homeschool families live under this stress and fear that their children are not measuring up. Personally, I have a 10 year old reading at a second grade level and an 11 year old who has wonderful verbal skills, but severe struggles with motor skills. Then, people always poke and prod about "social skills" and what about "cultural literacy"... are there enough hours in a day to fully equip my children with a classical education or a well-trained mind. Nature study falls by the wayside when you live in a state that has had something like 38 continuous days of rain (breaking the state record from 1953!) and taking time to let FIVE children NARRATE Charlotte Mason style just doesn't seem to be as easy as it sounds in books!
But after reading that R.C. Sprouls Jr. book my perspective has changed a lot!
God did not create this timetable. So what if my 10 year old's reading is progressing slowly. It IS progressing and more importantly... he is growing in Godly character! He earned the money for his new bike all by himself. He went door to door last summer and did yard work for all of the neighbors. While his brothers and sisters played all day... he toiled in the hot sun, for a GOAL.
Kaitlyn, at age 13, is starting to be called on to babysit and is so tender and nurturing with little ones.
Hannah, our 5 year old, pulled out the bread and tried to make sandwhiches for her siblings the other day without being asked!
Noah writes love notes to us and makes his own little books ALL the time!
Jordan reads to the other children and he and Ian have taken initiative to witness to and invite many children to church.
They may entered the kingdom of Heaven "maimed" or "blind" by the WORLD'S standards... (although... as they mature they are becoming more self-motivated learners, as well)... But that is only a human standard anyway. It is more important that they learn Godly character and grow in their personal relationship with HIM.
I pray that they AND I will glorify GOD ALONE in all we do and say and that God's love will be reflected by us so much that we may have the opportunity to shine a light to others.
As scary as homeschooling can seem... as overwhelming as it gets... I am looking very much forward to putting my heart and soul back on the right track with full-time homeschooling! :)
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