Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
Several years ago, my mom and I were having a conversation about homeschooling – a subject that was heavy on my heart. Since my mom had learned a lot about homeschooling through Focus on the Family, a ministry that supports faith and family values, I wanted to know her thoughts on the topic. Based on what she learned, she believed homeschooling was a viable option for our family.
Although our eleven year-old daughter was a straight A student and excelled academically, her self-esteem was on a steady decline. The negative influence of peers increased to the point that my husband and I grew concerned for our daughter’s well-being. Heather was miserable at school and often begged to be homeschooled.
Heather was in the fifth grade, and Ben was in the first. If I were to homeschool our daughter, I would need to homeschool our son as well, and yet the prospect of homeschooling two children was a daunting challenge, especially since I didn’t have a college degree.
I appealed to my mom for help. “Mom, I honestly don’t know anything about homeschooling! I wouldn’t even know where to begin.” I was desperate to rebuild our daughter’s self-esteem, but I felt extremely inept to tackle something as extreme as homeschooling. Perhaps there was another way.
My mom offered some great advice. “Rae Lynn, you need to pray about it. Maybe you can talk with someone who already homeschools their children and see if they can point you in the right direction.”
My mom’s recommendation was just what I needed to hear, but who could I ask? I didn’t know a single mom who homeschooled her kids.
Later that afternoon, I went pick up the kids from school early. Heather had an allergist appointment.
While I waited in the school office for our daughter and son’s release, my heart grew heavier still. Overwhelming thoughts of the situation swirled around in my mind…Who was I kidding? I couldn’t homeschool our kids!
It seemed to be a hopeless situation, but then I remembered my mom’s advice… Rae Lynn, you need to pray about it.
Closing my eyes, I sent up a silent prayer up to God, pleading for His help. “Lord, I don’t know what to do. Our little girl’s confidence is slowly slipping away. We desperately need your help. Please give me direction!”
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)
I opened my eyes and noticed a mom sitting across the room with her son, filling out some paper work. Recognition set in and I called out to her, “Oh my goodness!… Ann, is that you!?” She looked up seemingly surprised that someone knew her. I continued, “Ann, do you remember me? You were my camp counselor when I was a teen.”
In high school, my best friend had invited me to her church camp. It was one of the greatest experiences of my youth. Ironically, the event came at a time when my own self-esteem was under attack. That summer, surrounded by caring Christians, I had a deeply moving encounter with God, and Ann’s Christian witness was a big part of it. Although she probably never realized it, she had a huge impact on my spiritual journey.
“Of course I remember you.” She responded. “How are you? Wow, it’s been a very long time since we last spoke!”
We exchanged a few brief niceties, but then nodding in the direction of the little boy next to her I asked, “So…does you son go to this school?”
She answered no, but seemed hesitant to offer any more information. Now curious, I prodded a bit further. “So what school does he go to?”
She looked around the room as if seeking permission to answer. After hesitating for a brief second longer, she finally (ever so quietly) mouthed the words I will never forget…, “WE HOMESCHOOL.”
To be continued…
