My daughter and I recently found a beehive in a neighbor’s tree and every time we pass it, she is a bit intrigued.  So, for a learning opportunity, I decided to send an email to a local bee farm to inquire about a visit.  That is when it happened.  I found myself writing the words…Hello, I am a home school Mom…

 I paused.  Wait, what?  What did I just write?  A homeschool Mom?  Where?  Who’s that? 

So, here we are.  I have found myself in a role that I never imagined.  I mean, aren’t we all homeschool Moms, Dads and Grandmas though?

• You’re driving in the car with your little one singing the ABC’s over and over again. 
• You’re playing I spy as you identify different shapes and colors for a young imagination to seek and find. 
• You’re helping calculate money from a piggy bank so they can purchase a toy. 

Learning happens every day all around us.

Researching the idea of home schooling was a new journey for me.  A pivotal moment that began to re-shape my idea of school was when I attended my alma mater’s high school graduation.  My nephew, Christopher, had also attended this faith-based school.  I sat amongst a crowd of parents that believed strongly in a faith-based education.  Our heads bowed together as the ceremony opened and our heads bowed together as the ceremony closed.  It was quiet and it was beautiful.  In a time where there is much division among Americans, we came together to celebrate the graduates and give thanks to God.  Was everyone in the audience believers of Christ?  I didn’t take a poll, but I doubt it. But, for one peaceful moment we were all rooting for the same thing.  The graduates were respectful in speech and behavior.  The pastor spoke about humility, servanthood, loving others and loving God.  Servanthood?  Humility?  In this day and age?  Yes!  Servanthood is at the core of faith in Christ. 

During the ceremony, parents who were alumni were able to present their children with their diplomas acknowledging the foundation of a faith-based education that was being passed down through generations.  

 As I reflected on this day, I asked myself, what type of ceremony do I want to attend for my daughter’s high school graduation? 

 What “topics” will she be encouraged and inspired by at her graduation? 

 Should humility, servanthood, morals, values, loving others and Christ be aligned with her education?

 Am I okay with a public education or do I want it to be Christ-centered? 

These questions were certainly worth considering and deserved an answer.  I’m sure believers and non-believers could argue both sides quite well.  But, in this moment in time, I recognized that God was at work.  He was impressing upon me to look around at what I was experiencing.  Dig just a little deeper.  He was encouraging me to ask Him questions about what I was experiencing. 

 One of my favorite verses is…

 We all have the opportunity to see God at work in us and around you (because He is)!  Ask questions, dig deeper, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.    

 As I continued to ponder that future high school graduation day for my daughter, I was reminded of a famous quote by Stephen R Covey.

“To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.”

I also began to think about the responsibility that has been entrusted to me. One of the best parts of being a parent and the greatest responsibility is making individual and family decisions that will shape the character of your child.

Will I get it perfect every time?  Not a chance. 

Can I succeed with Christ at the center of my life as I allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct my thoughts and decisions?  Absolutely.

So, here is where I will start, and…you know who is going to help me?

• David and Goliath.  Yes, they will help teach about courage and bravery.  Can you imagine the courage it must have taken for David to trust God as he faced that giant?  

• Noah.  Noah’s faith was extraordinary, and I hope she’ll learn that that her faith can be extraordinary too.  What faith it must have taken Noah to believe in God and obey Him in the midst of uncertainty.  Did you know that Noah had never seen rain and he built the ark anyway?  And, imagine the look on his face when the animals actually started coming!

• Jesus.  Jesus fed 5,000 plus.  Consider the heart of the mother that packed her boy’s lunch that day, giving him five barley loaves and two fish.  My daughter will learn that God is at work long before the actual miracle is seen with our human eyes and how He loves to include us in His work.  And how Jesus can use her portion, no matter how small or large, to increase His kingdom.  And…let’s not forget that we serve a God that STILL performs miracles every day!  

So, I AM a homeschool Mom.  Let me rephrase that because I couldn’t do this alone…I am a homeschool Mom with TONS of family support.  Here we go.

My encouragement for you today is:

1. Expect the unexpected from God.  Remember, He’s in the miracle business. 
2. Look at all things from the lens that God is at work in you and around you (because He is)!
3. Give God the glory for always leading you in His path, no matter where it takes you.

Updated October 8, 2021 

We combined reading and writing with a character trait lesson.  She certainly has her father’s sense of humor!