They are HIS First

I remember the thought of my kids not being able to attend private christian school frightened me. We were blessed for 4 years to be at an amazing small christian school the staff was amazing, the families were amazing and I knew my kids were in a safe place. Having to pay one tuition wasn't too bad, I felt it but we made it work but when Athena got to kindergarten trying to get 2 tuition's paid or work off one just wasn't working for our family. The sad day came when I realized we just couldn't do it. I was forced as a mom to look for other options to school my children.

Public school was completely out of the picture and I knew that for certain. Being honest while I had a great group of friends all the way through school looking back I realize it wasn't the best place for my siblings and I to have been. I didn't learn as much as I wished I could have, no teacher ever came beside me to make me better and to be honest I seen way too many things that easily could have waited a few years down the road. And the class sizes, Wowzers it felt more like a zoo then a classroom. I have some stories to share but that's not really what this blog is about. Point is I had a bad experience with public school and I knew there had to be a different way for my family.

So then there was home school and that just creeped me out because all I had in mind was "sheltered UN social kids". Kids who didn't know how to socialize or get involved in extra curricular activities. I knew that I wanted balance for my home. We liked sports and ASB functions however we wanted them in moderation and wanted God to always be first and the center.

As I investigated I realized home school was not what it use to be or what I as a child portrayed it to be lol. As I prayed more and more the Lord revealed to me that home school was the exact avenue I was to take with my children. I kind of thought He was crazy to be honest because what single mom home schools her kids? Me I guess. All I knew is I needed to walk down this path.

It was scary leaving our Christian private school and sad too. We had to learn a whole new way of everything and it was kind of hard. To be honest the road has been a rocky one but can I share that it's path has had the most peace in all of our life's journeys. God has made it our safe place with Him. Our single parent home has become very close with one another as we have chugged along this path as the Lord as our guide.

My mom shared that she wished she would have schooled us differently growing up but she didn't know there were other options. I didn't know there were other options either and the more I share how I home school my children the more I see how so many parents don't know they have a choice.

Our children are given by God to us for us to raise as our responsibility. When we stand before the Lord someday each parent will take accountability for what he or she has done with what we have been given. I really take that serious. My choices reflect my children and the choices I choose for them will set them on the path they will feel led to take.

While I have seen some amazing kids come from public school I just want anyone reading this to know that you have other options and choices. And if your kids are at school away from you 5 days a week get involved in their classrooms and schools. Ask questions,  see what they are learning about. Our government is really stepping in to raise our children and fill their minds with the world's knowledge. We as believers do not want that. These kids are our arrows to shoot back at the kingdom of hell. My kids go to school 2 days a week and even then sometimes I know they get taught stuff we don't believe in but we talk about it. We have discussions on the world's stance and point of view along with what God's word says about it.

While I realize God has a different plan for each family I'd just like to encourage you to ask God where He wants your children to be schooled. Before, I just did as I pleased because they were MY kids.... but now as a believer I realize they are HIS kids first and He has given them to me as a gift temporarily. So now I say "God where do you want your kids to be?" 

So that's my encouragement to you. You have other options. You can do anything God is calling you to do. Will you need great faith in God to trust your kids to be in a public school? Do you need strength and endurance to home school this year? Or do you need to trust God will provide financially for a Christian private school. I don't know the answer but God does. Listen He will answer.

The safest place to be is in the center of God's will because where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. It feels good to live FREE!