Can You Help Me?
A few days ago I shared a blog with you that was very close to my heart, one I had been thinking about writing for several weeks. Later that day I got this response from one of you:
Charlene, is there any way you can plaster this message all over every homeschool magazine, book, blog, curriculum catalog, and convention in the country?:o) O.k., I know that’s a tall order, but it’s such an important and timely message. Thanks at least for posting it on your blog, but if God ever prompts you to go bigger with this message, please do it…so many distressed, frustrated, and disappointed moms need to hear this.Â
I keep thinking about what she said again and again. I decided to paste the blog below and to ask you if you would help me to do what she asked. Would you please think about who you know who might benefit from this word of encouragement and send it along to them today? I really appreciate it. Also, if you hear back from anyone, would you forward their comments to me? You can use my email address charlene@notgrass.com anytime to share anything you want. I love to hear from you. Thank you very much!
My Heart for Homeschooling Families
From Sea to Shining Sea
I was blessed to meet hundreds of homeschooling parents last year between the shores of the Atlantic and the Pacific. I am so impressed with you and your children.
I worry about you sometimes, though. I’ve been a part of the homeschooling movement for more than twenty years–long enough to see trends come and go, long enough to meet many people I respect, and long enough to be disappointed. I don’t want disappointing realities to discourage you.
No matter what anyone tells you, there is no formula for producing the perfect homeschool, for raising perfect children, or for building the perfect Christian family.
No matter how reputable a homeschool spokesman is or how popular a homeschool speaker is, not one of these leaders is perfect. You cannot swallow anyone’s words hook, line, and sinker (I have only held a fishing pole in the water twice in my life; how did that idiom get into my vocabulary?).
I am reminded of a hymn that our congregation sang as I was growing up. We could have sung it anytime, but we didn’t. We sang it after someone was baptized. Kentuckian Thomas Obediah Chisholm (1866-1960) wrote the words. It was published in 1905. This is the last verse:
Only in Thee, dear Savior, slain,
Losing Thy life my own to gain,
Trusting, I’m cleansed from ev’ry stain;
Thou art my only plea.
Only in Thee my heart will delight,
Till in that land where cometh no night
Faith will be lost in heavenly sight,
Only, dear Lord, in Thee!
I like to eat healthy and I even grind my own wheat, but my hope is in “the living bread that came down out of heaven” (John 6:51, NASB).
Modesty is important to me, but I don’t like arbitrary rules about it. When we are “clothed . . . with Christ” (Galatians 3:27), we don’t need people’s rules.
I believe that children need godly training, but it must be based on Scripture which is “inspired by God and profitable . . . Â for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Don’t let the successes or failures of leaders distract you from the most important things. Don’t let them stand as your judges and make you feel inferior or like a failure. Fall at the foot of the Cross and entrust your children to the One you trust. Lead them to Him.
Do not trust in princes,
In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.
Psalm 146:3, NASB
Thank you so much for this article. I just started homeschooling. This is my second week of homeschooling my only miracle child who is 11. I so want to do it right and provide him with the very best. This was the reminder that I needed that I must put this in God’s hand and there is no “perfect” way to do this.