ramblings: buses, chalkboards and graph paper

In my phase of life right now, the hot topic is EDUCATION.

Every one seems to have an opinion on how you should educate your child, and what seems to be pleasing to the Lord and what doesn't.

I don't have much of a stance on the issue... I have worked in youth ministry for almost 15 years and have seen Homeschoolers, Christian-Schoolers, Private-Schoolers and Public-Schoolers all make good & bad choices alike. Chris and I were both "Christian-Schooled" and for the most part had an incredible experience... we both feel our parents were sensitive to the Lord's leading in where they sent us. 

The hard part is that there are a lot of people that don't understand our choice to send our kids to public school. I haven't defended the choice to many people, since I know that my opinion on the matter doesn't matter much... but it is a decision that has been thought about and prayed through more than any other decision Chris and I have made thus far as parents. There were questions, tears and even doubts as we moved forward to Isaac's 1st year as a Kindergartener. Here's the real deal:

It wasn't a "financial" decision.
[If it was something we felt God wanted us to do differently, we would have lived in our car and ate beans out of a can to make that happen]

It wasn't a "convenience" decision

[The kids being able to take the bus to school is an nicety, not a factor]

It wasn't a "ignorant" decision

[Trust me when I say that I probably know more about the public school system than I care to, and for the most part I know exactly what my kids are exposed to and learning each year... the good, bad & very ugly]

This decision was huge for our family, and we have talked it through with God and with the kids at numerous occasions. The bottom line: We feel that the Lord has called our family to do education this way, at this time. We DO NOT feel like there is a blanket that covers educational decisions made by parents who are disciples of Jesus- I believe God can speak directly to each parent that is anointed to lead their kids towards Him...and each family... and each kid...can take a very different academic path to get to that destination.... all under the direction of God's will. This is just what we feel He has asked of us.

We are raising missionaries.

We pray that over them every time they step foot outside our home to go to school.

A light in a dark place.

A witness for Jesus Christ.

A missional family.

And we already have testimonies.... reports that God is using our entire family to touch the lives of the people we are exposed to all year through out kids' school. 

Here is the scripture we have adopted for this endeavor:

John 17:14-19

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

I pray that no one makes a decision on how to educate their kid based on anything I have ever said or not said at any time.... each parent is responsible to pray that through for their kids' lives. This is just what we feel God has called us to... for now.... and every single step is strategically prayed about and dissected so that we can be confident in this decision, even when things go awry.

We are so excited that our children are welcome into an establishment where the Gospel of Christ is not... a place where darkness is very prevalent, and they are the ONLY ones legally allowed to shine a light. We pray that they change that environment every single day.

2 people that better explain my heart on the matter....

[I could probably quote both of these by heart by now]

"Let's Revise the Popular Phrase 'In, But Not Of'" by David Mathis
"Be in The World Not of It" by Christine Caine