Bible study has resumed for the new season. We missed the first few weeks because we’ve been sick, busy, exhausted, etc. But last night we finally made it. We had some good discussion on 1 John. Afterwards, we talked about the neighborhood we now live in. Everyone wanted to know “what public school our kids will attend.” They are ALL public school teachers, every last one of them, so that is the most natural question for them to ask.
Kevin and I are definitely the oddballs in the group. Not only are we the only people who are not public school teachers, we are two of only four people in the study who actually grew up in Christian homes, where our parents encouraged us spiritually. We try not to come on too strong, all at once, especially since we’re still fairly new to the group. But, finally, last night, (since it was like the fifth time we’ve been asked about this!) I reminded our friends that we were homeschooled as kids and it might be a logical possibility that we would want to homeschool our future, hypothetical children as well.
After a minute of silence, Kristi spoke up: “Well, obviously, that’s what you’re comfortable with, since it’s what you ‘know’”
This sparked a little more discussion on the topic. We didn’t say anything that I think could be considered as judgmental because, honestly, my belief is that parents need to decide what is best for their own children, with a clear conscience before God.
Kristi said something about how, being public school teachers, it would be hypocritical for them to homeschool their kids. “And, we all went to public school, and we turned out okay.”
Kevin’s response was that God can use any set of circumstances for His good, but that doesn’t mean that it’s always the best thing. “The reason we’ll homeschool our kids is because we feel like we have a duty to raise our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and that sending them to public school, where they’ll be taught things polar opposite to our belief system, is not supportive of that goal.”
I told them (and Kevin agrees) that I really admire them for being Christian teachers in the public school system. I think they are making a difference in the lives of many children - for good. In my experience (with my current job), I've seen a lot of educators who ALSO want to make a difference in public school childrens' lives - but they are very scary people (frankly!) who have no reverence for God or respect for parental convictions.
So, in the end, I think everyone was a little stunned. But they’ll get over it – because they know, deep down inside, that despite how completely RADICAL we are, we love them all.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
A thumb up for both of you. Sounds like you handled youreselves very wisely in the situation.
Ooh!! It's a good thing I wasn't there, I'd have a few things more to say. My father and mother are/were public school teachers and they never felt hypocritical for home schooling. To my father the job was a ministry and teaching us at home was a calling from God, a conviction.
Home schooling because "That's what you're comfortable with, since it's what you know"... Is she implying that you plan to home school from ignorance or fear? If you use her line of thinking than she will put her kids in public school because "that's what she knows." Perhaps it isn't hypocrisy, but ignorance and fear that keep so many public school teachers from home schooling? - Just a thought.
Looks like that seven + colletive years of legal experience on hs issues and your own personal experiences growing up have paid off.
Kinda reminds me of working a conference and talking to the 1st year parents who were questioning whether this really works. Yes, of course it works.
Have you ever seen the movie Mean Girls? There's a little scene about homeschooler stereotypes, very funny. Of course, you don't fit those stereotypes, but I think many people (including well meaning Christians) are weary of homeschool because of certain stigmas.
Post a Comment