The Story of Jane
I’ve made up a little story for today, but I’m a bit afraid to share it. Having met several of you over the last several weeks and having heard your stories and questions, I don’t want you to recognize yourself in this story and get embarrassed or think I am condemning you. I love each of you and I tell this story only to bless. Please know that many of you could be Jane and that I have been Jane! I tell the story to help you break free of chains that may be keeping you from the joy of homeschooling.
Now, here’s my well-intentioned fictional story:
Meet Jane. Jane has been homeschooling her five children for two years. She is doing an amazing job.
However, poor Jane is worried about gaps in her children’s education. That’s why she orders a complete curriculum for each child’s grade level. When you count all of the textbooks and workbooks and teacher’s manuals for each of her children, the total comes to about sixty books. Jane is trying to read instructions in each teacher’s manual and student book for each child in each grade. She explains difficult concepts to each of her children in every subject. She gives tests.
No homeschooling mama wants her children to miss anything. Jane is completely devoted to her children and that’s why this is true for her, too.
The trouble is, though, that Jane’s children are missing some things. They are missing time to play. They are missing time to spend the night with their grandparents. They are missing the opportunity to explore and grow in the gifts God has given to them.
Poor Jane. She is so lovingly attending to the needs of her children — that she is inadvertently missing some of the needs of her children.
I respect Jane’s desire for her children not to miss anything, but the truth is that every child misses many things. The key is to decide which things are the most important ones not to miss — and to trust God with the results of those decisions. Sometimes, instead of giving our children one more grammar test, we need to give ourselves these two ten-year tests:
- Is what I am wigging out over today going to matter in ten years?
- What do I want to remember — and what do I want my children to remember — about today ten years from now?
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7