I don't walk the line, I dance on it.

I get a lot of people with mixed feelings about the way I choose to educate my children. I have one home-schooled child and one public schooled child.

My youngest is in public (k) and my oldest is home (5th). My long term plan is to have my son at home as well. I intend to see my daughters education through until graduation.

In the minds of many, I walk the line between "good and evil". You see, a lot (not all) of parents that home school think it is horrible of me to have one of my children in public school ::dramatic gasp here::. Then, a lot (not all) of public school parents think I am"ruining and sheltering" my daughter because she is in "home school" ::dramatic gasp here::. Here is a news flash for any person falling into these categories: They are MY children, please mind your own business. But, at the same time I would like to satisfy "inquiring minds".

I believe that every family is different and I believe that public school is not for everyone just as much as home school is not for every one. I praise God that I live in a time and place where I am able to chose what I believe is best for my own children.

Why do I homeschool? Because I want Bible class to be more than Sunday mornings. I also want to teach my children so much, that I simply cannot teach them when they are gone all day. Am I sheltering my child? Absolutely. I feel she is simply too young to be lambasted with what kids are exposed to these days. I feel that if I throw her into school to deal with all the junk while she is still growing and maturing, and trying to blossom, she will drown. I am trying to equip her to deal with life when it is time. Don't get me wrong, she is not totally in the dark about issues. Rather, I chose to introduce things to her as she grows and in my way, not from another kid at school.

The world is so messed up. Today I read an article that NYC public school system is now providing the morning after pill to girls (starting at 14yrs.)for free without parental consent. It seems like they are trying to fix a broken back with a band aid. Treating the symptoms but not the problem.

Now, on the flip side, I think public schools were, at one time, a great thing, and some can still be. I have absolutely nothing against people who choose public school. It is THEIR choice and is not my place to judge. I send my son to kindergarten. For him, I think this will be a great thing. He is learning some valuable life lessons and (as far as I can tell) things are still innocent . He is having fun and is gaining some independence.

The rearing of my children is not a responsibility I take lightly. I will be held accountable for what I teach them during my life. Each of us will. I will not sit idly by while the world fights for my children's hearts. I do not pretend to have it all figured out, I am only human. There are days when I want to give up on it all and have the days to myself. But my heart will not allow it. God has entrusted me with these precious children and I must do my best to raise them according to His plan.

So, I don't really walk the line. I dance on it with mismatched socks and parachute pants!

Floods, fears, and faithfulness

One of the great things about Home School, is being able to take time to answer questions that might relate to the topic but are not THE topic.

For example, this morning my daughter and I were reading about Noah's ark and the flood, but that lead us to the book of revelation.

We were reading about the floodwaters starting and all the people left behind because they were wicked. I asked her to consider how frightening it must have been for Noah's family. I can just imagine people screaming and running, realizing how true Noah's words had been. Realizing it was too late. They had listened for 100 years and never believed. Few people actually stop to think of this moment in history and how tragic it really was. I told her it will be much the same when Christ returns. People think they can wait until the last minute to make things right. It will be too late. This provoked her to ask about some things she had read in the book of Revelation. She said it was frightening. I TOTALY agree.

Keep in mind that she is 10 years old, but she has always been a deep thinker. The book of Revelation is complex and I don't have all the answers. However, I told her that the entire book can be summed up in two words--God Wins.

People on Earth are obsessed with taking sides. Democrat or Republican. Liberal or conservative. This team or that. This school or that. When it comes to God, however, people often think of God as the one choosing sides. We like to put Him in a nice box and use Him to justify our motives by proclaiming that He is on our side. We are foolish people. God cannot be contained, nor does he chose silly sides. God IS a side. YOU must chose to be on HIS side. We are to follow HIS rules. He created us, not the other way around.

I try not to be "hell fire and brimstone". Yet, there are things that need to be told. There are MANY joyful things we focus on but today was sober.

My daughter was stirred by what we had talked about. She said she was afraid that she wouldn't make it into heaven. She welled up with tears and and we hugged tight. I stroked her hair and thought of how much I was like her at that age. I remember the fear. Even as adults, we fear. Don't worry, I didn't just leave her afraid.

She has been baptized and takes her Christian walk very seriously. So, we talked about grace and mercy. We talked about Gods immeasurable love and His amazing grace. Even as adults we have a hard time wrapping our minds around the mercy of God. Even as adults, we fear death. Christians should not fear death, if we are faithful. Christ defeated death. If we follow Him, he will save us from deaths sting.

Finally, we talked about how important it is to teach others about Gods love, so others don't have to fear anymore. Others need to know that these things are real. We all need to share the good news with others.

After our lesson, we prayed together. We cried. We hugged. Then I tickled her ribs and she giggled. We smiled and with hope in our hearts set back to work. I pray you have hope in your heart.