In her own words

Some posts this week have really made me think and reflect and I'm finally able to put my thoughts into words.

There have been some posts, videos and pictures these last several days/weeks about the first days back to school and I'm tellin' ya gals, I'm crying right along with you.

And, there have really been some great posts about each family's homeschool - especially while browsing the Homeschool Open House that Tiany hosted.

Its enjoyable to me to read both sides. Why? Because I've been on both sides. Honestly, sometimes I still battle which side to be on. Am I doing what is best for my children? Are they going to miss out on something? I ask myself these questions time and time again. But you know what? You know how I know which side to be on? When I draw close to our Lord, through reading His Word and seeking Him in prayer and quiet time, I hear Him. I, along with T, know He is calling us to this task. And, while He calls some to be missionaries in far away lands, or to minister in prisons, to adopt babies from a distant land...I know my call is to keep our little ones at home, in this season, and homeschool. And those "battles" always come at a time when I've been distant to God - when I haven't made time with Him a priority.

I can look back at my years leading up to this and see God's hand totally in it. Not that I never thought it was there in the first place, but it is so clear to see now how He completely orchestrated all of it. From the teaching degree to the 5 years teaching experience. The first year was at the YMCA, which I've blogged about before - but this was a pivotal year. Not only did I run a homeschool co-op offering art, pe and swimming, but I met a wonderful group of young adults from a local private christian school - I was their PE teacher, but let me tell you - they taught me so much that year. It was that experience with those students, that stirred a desire within me. Knowing their school was too far away to send our children there, I knew the Lord could help me 'create' that at home.

God calls us each to different things and I think we can only bring Him the most glory by doing what He calls us to, to the best of our abilities. As it says in 1 Corinthians 12:12, "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one one body. So it is with Christ." He calls us each to be different parts - and we must do our part with all the gusto we've got!

Those of you sending your children into the school system, may God bless them and assist them in being the light in a dark world. To those homeschooling, may God bless our children and our efforts to help them become the people He desires them to become.