“ I didn’t sign up for this!” Were the words that I conveyed to my husband. He responded, “Yes, you did…when you quit your job!” What?? Well, I chuckled under my breath with a little grunt because indeed, I did sign up for this “gig”. I just didn’t really know what I was signing up for…I thought.
It can get so frustrating trying to figure out how to operate our homeschool, which approach is “better” for my children, and what curriculum to purchase or borrow. Why does it matter…and my rant began!
Why bother with all of these different books and curriculum? Can we just have a simple homeschooling life? Can we have just one of those “all in one” curriculums where everything fits into place? Why are there so many approaches to teaching kids?
I grew up in a time where everyone learned the same thing. Was it beneficial? Well, I see the answer to my question. Some of us “got it” and some of us were pushed along to the next assignment, the next chapter, the next unit, and the next grade level. Those of us that “got it”, what did we get? As it turns out much of my learning really came full circle, with gaps filled, in when I started homeschooling. I didn’t know how much I didn’t retain until I started flipping through the mounds of curriculum that have come through our school room during the last four plus years.
After all of my ranting, it’s like God asked me, “Are you done yet?”, “My grace is sufficient for you…” 2 Corinthians 12:9
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13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13–14
At this point of my repentant heart, I was reminded that our goal isn’t to make sure we correctly define our homeschooling approach, but to help lead our children to God through a relationship with Jesus Christ. There are few that find that Way of Truth and Life. However, if I can spend as much time sharing God’s Word and walking out the love of Jesus with my children, as much as the energy being put towards finding the “perfect” curriculum; then I believe enough to see the fruit of them knowing Jesus and making Him know to others.
Our homeschooling goal is summed up in 1 Timothy 1:5:
“ But the goal of our [a]instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
Everything we do as parents and how we run our homeschool, should reflect the love of our Savior. Every subject should display the beauty of our Creator.
“I didn’t sign up for this…” Indeed we did, when we gave our hearts to Jesus and agreed to share in His sufferings, even though things get difficult at times we know the end result will be the salvation of our souls. (1 Peter 1:9)
Find the beauty of our Creator in your planning! In the specific approach that you use, let it be the “Christ Focused Approach”, where everything you do, God gets the glory!
Through the good and the bad, it is the approach that is working for good. (Romans 8:28)
“20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep [g]through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
Hicunni (Hi-Key-Knee) Chandler
Director of Upstate Special Needs Homeschoolers
