So…homeschooling. I do realize that this is a topic fraught with deep personal convictions on both sides of the fence. So my desire is to tread lightly as I share my thoughts with you. The problem is though, I think, that in blogging about this, it will probably come across as a “rant.” I would much rather share my thoughts and personal convictions with you all in a friendly conversation. Keep that in mind.
Up until recently, I think Dave and I would have defined ourselves as fence-sitters regarding the home school/public school debate. We really agreed with arguments on both sides of the issue…and when we sent Elijah to public school four years ago it was because it was just the easiest thing to do. To be brutally and painfully honest with you (and myself), it was a free babysitting service (ouch!). The fact that he was learning something was just an added bonus.
Sure, we may have quoted the “salt and light” verse (Matt. 5:13-16) for good measure…with naivete, I believe, and without ever stopping to think of how our children could actually be salt and light in a school setting. Without taking time to consider whether or not they were…well, “salty” enough. Because Matt. 5:13 makes two things clear: 1) As Christians, we are to be the salt of the earth but 2) it is possible for a Christian to not be salty enough. In which case they would be “trampled underfoot.”
So, do I think my kids were/are salty enough to be placed in a public school setting? No. And I say this simply because they have not had time to “marinate.” Dave and I have realized that our children aren’t going to be salt and light just because we quote that verse and hope that it happens. We don’t believe that one becomes automatically salty when they take that first step and decide to follow Jesus. While there are some things that we inherit straight away, like forgiveness and direct access to the Father’s throne, saltiness isn’t one of them.
Saltiness comes, rather, through time spent in the the Lord’s presence, in the Word and in prayer…”marinating,” if you will. It’s only been recently that Dave and I have started to cultivate these disciplines in our childrens’ lives. And we are jealous for more time with Elijah and Zeke especially; after a long, seven-hour, rigorous day at school there just hasn’t been much time or energy left over for “marinating” this past year.
I guess what it boils down to for me is that I don’t feel like I’m doing a good job of discipling my children by sending them to a public school. (In fact, I feel like I’m letting the Bloomington Public School system disciple my kids. Obviously a disconcerting thought!) The Great Commission can certainly be used as an argument against homeschooling, but in my opinion it only strengthens it. Jesus said, “go and make disciples of all nations.” Granted, I don’t have very far to go and my nation is small but I’ve no doubt that I’m doing my part in fulfilling the Great Commission in discipling my children through homeschooling. The Great Commission says nothing about us sending anybody…anywhere. Our job is to do the discipling. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, will do the sending. Are a seven and nine year old able to grasp the concept or responsibility of being sent and “making disciples?” Mmmm…maybe. Mine aren’t yet. They are still very much in need of being discipled.
So, that’s a little bit of what is going on inside my head and heart. As I read over my words and get ready to post this I’m realizing that this entry is more for me than it is for you. A lot of the times, for me, the fog lifts off of my thoughts when I can get them down in black and white. And as I move forward in this homeschooling thing I’m definitely going to need clear, concrete convictions to fall back on when the going gets rough.
I have much more to share but I’ll save it for Part III. Thanks for reading! And please, feel free to comment, agree or disagree with me. 
P.S. Here’s a totally random piece of information for you. I’m craving Cheese Whiz today…and I feel kind of embarrassed about it.
