The Final Homeschool Chapter...

                   

         As I wrote the final homeschool lesson plan, tears sprang to my eyes and gently rolled down my cheeks. I pulled a worn piece of paper with Deut. 6:4-8, our homeschool mantra, from the 3-ring binder that had been a continuous, yet gentle reminder of this holy calling throughout the years. Over a decade of my life has been lovingly spent on investing in my children’s education and spiritual development. The time has truly passed so quickly! I reminiscence about the nervousness and trepidation I felt upon embarking on the unfamiliar calling to homeschool, and the joy I found in decorating our “school room” with phonetic pictures, a calendar complete with field trip plans, and books, books galore! I cherish the memories of time spent pouring over His Word together, memorizing Scripture, reading adventurous stories aloud, teaching them about the hands on the clock that spiral into time, how to sound out letters which turn themselves into words, adding up the facts in math, learning to sew, playing kickball in the backyard, and raising chickens. Every single memory equals time spent together which is priceless.

            Now, the final chapter of our homeschool journey has been written. My heart grieves for what was. I wish I could have a couple of those days back…to watch baby chicks hatch with my children and to see the joy and excitement on their faces! I would love to listen to them recite a Scripture they had worked diligently on for AWANA and to see the sense of accomplishment on their faces. Oh! To snuggle in the bed one more time with their innocent hearts, little toes, and a Lemony Snickets adventure! I would love to have one more field trip to the zoo, homeschool pajama day, and lunch on the patio in the warm sunshine. But, as the Scriptures say, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecc 3:1 ESV). So, I close the books, cherish the memories, and praise the LORD for the time He graciously gave me to raise my littles. Now, those littles have blossomed into teens with dreams, goals, and abilities to use for the LORD.  I entrust them to the One who loves them far more than I can imagine, knowing the path ahead will have its share of difficulties, but nothing is wasted in the hands of our Redeemer. He will use every situation for their good and His ultimate glory. In this, I trust.

            As God continually leads you, Addy, Gabby, and Manny on new adventures, keep these few things in mind:

1.      God is with you wherever you go (Josh. 1:9), and he hears the quietest of prayers (1 Pet 3:12). Make time to pray each day. Prayer is your lifeline to your Father. Read the Word daily. You need the constant reminder of truth, and it is your weapon in the war (John 17:17, Eph. 6). Don’t leave home unequipped for the battle you will face.

2.      Remember whose you are! You were bought with a price (1 Cor 6:20). The world will tell you that you are worthless, but your Father proved you are priceless. Remember the cross when your value is challenged. The only one who can define you is the one who created you!

3.      In order to have friends, you must show yourself friendly (Pr. 18:24). Choose your friends wisely. Do not allow your good character to be corrupted by bad influences
(1 Cor. 15:33).

4.      You have everything you need in Jesus (2 Pet. 2:3). You don’t need a girlfriend/boyfriend. Remember, there’s a time for everything. Wait for God’s timing. Be okay with being alone for the sake of being kept (for the one God has chosen for you).

5.      Dare to be a Daniel! “But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself…” (Dan. 1:8)
Stand for what is right in the sight of God, even if no one else is standing with you.
See #1 (God is always with you, so you NEVER stand alone).

6.      Never return evil for evil (Rom. 12:17). You will have an opportunity every day to apply this Scripture! Be a doer of God’s Word, not a hearer only (Js.1:22).

7.      Honor the LORD with your mouth. It will be easy to succumb to speaking the way others speak, but this is not who you are! Encourage others and impart grace with your speech. Your heart is revealed by the way you speak (Matt. 15:18-20). Use your voice to echo the LORD, not our culture.

8.      Respect the authority placed over you (Rom. 13). It is okay to politely disagree, but remember your manners.

9.      Find a way to serve others in some way every day. “…but through love serve one another” (Gal. 5:13).

10.   Above all…honor God. “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecc 12:13). If you resolve to “abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22), it will make your decisions easier!


"I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths" (Pr. 4:11).