As a Christ-following, homeschooling mother-of-eleven (5 through adoption), I resonate with alot of what she says. Not everything...but alot.
But this post? WOW. I could have written this!
If I were much more eloquent, that is.
In fact, last year I said something very similar here...but I gave the Cliffs Notes version...
I e-mailed back and forth with Courtney and told her she was singing my song...AND, I got her permission to post it here in its entirety:
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." ~ 1Corinthians 3:1
I have been asked more than a few times about my children's education. Apparently when you homeschool, people you don't even know very well start becoming very concerned about your children and what they are learning. And people you do know very well start interrogating you about what you are teaching them.
I am going to say something pretty unpopular. Something that not everyone is going to agree with. And something that may ruffle some feathers.
My children's education is not my top priority.
GASP.
Please do not misunderstand, I teach my children. They are all on grade level or above. They love to learn and explore. I love to see them learn new things. However, their education is not what is most important to me in their upbringing.
My children could be geniuses, but if their hearts are hard and cold, it would matter very little.
My children could know several languages, but if they treat others unkindly, it would matter very little.
My children could graduate early and be light years ahead of their peers, but if they have no compassion for others, it would matter very little.
My children could attend the most prestigious college, but if they do not learn to forgive, it would matter very little.
My children could go on to be a great success, earn a lot of money, and have a high powered job, but if they do not have love, it wouldn't matter at all.
Our culture today is obsessed with education. Yet, our schools are filled with bullies and angry children. We push college as if that is the only way in life, yet look how many unhappy, unsatisfied, self gratifying, over indulgent young people emerge into the work force. And many of them can't even find jobs to pay off their high priced educations.
There is nothing wrong with college. Of course. But what about our children's hearts? Are they hell bent on getting ahead? Striving for careers and willing to step on whomever to get there? Does any of it matter if they don't have love? If they are not kind and compassionate?
Not to me.
When I think about what I want for my children, what I want to teach them now while they are young, it is not math and science that comes to mind first. I want my children to love God. And I want them to love people. I want them to live lives that reflect that love. I want their hearts to be full of compassion, gratitude, and service.
I want them to run after Him with everything they have in them.
And whatever that looks like, I am seriously okay with it. If it means that my daughter is a hair stylist who is kind, giving, and loves God, then I will feel like I succeeded.
If my son becomes an auto mechanic and he is hard working, takes care of his family and follows the Lord, I will be the proudest Mom on earth.
If my daughter decides to give up her education to be a missionary and a mother to 13 little girls in Africa, my heart will swell with pride and I will praise God for her bravery and her amazing heart.
Education is not the end all be all. This is not about whether you homeschool or your children go to school. All of us are responsible for the type of people our children turn out to be. Please while you fret over your child's grades, and nag them about their homework, and worry about their futures, stop and remember what really matters in this life. Teach your children the things that will carry them through every stage of life and the things that far outweigh any degree or career they could obtain.
Love it!!!
ReplyDelete