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wonder … is all this “more” really what God had in mind when
He called us to be different? Somehow, I don’t think He meant
for us to bring our children home only to have our home life
hijacked by a worldly philosophy of education. I don’t think God
meant for us - or our children - to struggle under the weight of
someone else’s idea of a “proper” education.
I think—just maybe—He meant for us to be free.
• Free to read aloud. All day if we want to. Even with our
high schoolers.
• Free to draw and create.
• Free to discover the beauty of Creation - unhurried - and
without the expectation of a report that is due about
our “discovery” at the end of the next day.
• Free to forget about preschool.
• Free to take a hot chocolate walk for no reason.
• Free … to know Him more.
It’s hard to do that when we’re always on someone else’s
schedule.
If you are being held hostage by a burdensome curriculum
or a program that promises to get your kid into college—and
if you’re wondering if this was really the life that God had de-
signed for you, I challenge you to look at those first home-
school moms. They set the bar—and they did it without ex-
pensive“all inclusive”programs. They did it by faith. They did it
because they knew God would provide for their every need if
they would only trust Him to guide and direct them.
These precious moms found out that God is faithful. He can
be trusted. His mercies are new every day.
His yoke is easy. His burden is light.
Ask Him what He has for you and your children. If you are
not experiencing the “life” you were looking for when you be-
gan your homeschooling journey, it may be that you’re not
giving the Lord permission to lead you there.
I know—because for all my trying— and even after I have
experienced the freedom that comes from a more relational
approach to homeschooling, I often find myself a hostage of
homeschooling rather than a mom who is enjoying the gift
that she has been given through homeschooling. It’s easy,
even for a mom who has graduated a few children, to wonder
if she’s doing enough.
If you’re being held hostage today—ask the Lord to show
you His heart for your homeschool. Because in following Him,
you’ll find the LIFE you’re looking for.
Heidi St. John has been married to her husband Jay since
1989. Together they have seven children from toddler to
adult and have homeschooled all the way through high
school. A favorite conference and radio speaker, Heidi ap-
proaches marriage and parenting with humor and grace.
Her passion to encourage moms and set them free to be who
God has created them to be will bless and encourage you.