As I reflect on the many blessings that I am thankful for this season, I am especially overwhelmed with gratitude toward God for the grace he has given me to be able to homeschool my children.  Prior to homeschooling, I was a public school teacher. I chose the teaching profession, and a degree in Child Development, in order to stay close to my then newborn son. Raised by feminist parents, my idea of being a stay at home mom was nothing more than cooking and cleaning, and heaven forbid, catering to my husband’s every need. I was mortified at the thought, but once my son was born, the thought of leaving him in the hands of someone else was even more mortifying.  If I couldn’t have him with me at all times, then I at least wanted him right next door, even as close as the next classroom over. Becoming a teacher, so that he could attend the same school that I taught at was, in my eyes, better than staying at home.

About two years into my teaching career, a dear friend wanted to take her son out of public school in order to homeschool, and, since I was swimming in the Kool-Aid of social indoctrination, I talked her out of it. (Insert foot in mouth.)  Two years after that, I felt the Lord, and my husband, press on my heart to have more children. I decided that if I was going to have more children, I didn’t want other people teaching my children while I taught theirs. I wanted to teach my own children.

As I look back, I realize that God guided my heart to a career in teaching, so that I would have the confidence to teach my own children. Because of my experience with kids in public school, I understand my own kid’s learning challenges as well as their strengths and I am able to build on what God has given them so that He may use them for His glory. My children thrive at home in delight directed learning within a classical framework. Had my composer son been in public school, he would not have had time to develop his love for music. They would have made him see tutor after tutor, and specialist after specialist, in order to improve his reading comprehension. My drummer boy would have been in every remedial class available and probably drugged with a dismal outlook on a world in which he didn’t fit. I certainly would not have had enough time to put him on the GAPS diet, and it is only due to the gift and desire God gave me to cook, that I am able to have him on this diet in the first place. It was God that taught me how to cook and gave me a love for it.  The Lord knew the path I needed to take. Now our children have confidence in the One who created them, the One who loves them so much that He sent His Son to die for them. In this confidence, they can do all things because it is He who strengthens them.

I am so thankful and blessed that God has led me on this journey. I am so grateful that he walks beside me, and goes before me in order to keep me on His path, so that our children will know his mercy and grace.  And I am most thankful for the change He has made in my heart, to desire the role He gave women, to submit to and respect the man He has given as head over me. It is a secure and peaceful place to be, in His will.