"You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved."My response to the message of judgment and condemnation was that of love, respect, and affirmation that we are indeed living and raising our children with a vision and with intention (and refuting the promise made in the message that our children would indeed be lost when they left home). While that vision and perspective was clearly not something that we shared, our parenting and choices still deserve respect. Every parent and generation makes choices based on their beliefs and morals. Ours just happen to be based on the infallible Word of God--our very life handbook. Believing that we were created by God, naturally we would look to His Word for daily instruction--His plan for humanity. His plan is clear! And with that very plan, we base our life and choices. Certainly in the past year we have made some drastic changes. Clearly, our LORD has regenerated our hearts.
My husband and I have never, in our almost 19 years of marriage, been more on the same page. We have a vision, not just for the education of our children, but MORE importantly for their salvation and their future relationships. Because with those two things, a new generation that will glorify God will spring forth.
We are currently taking a bible study called "Raising a Pure Generation." Last week's lesson focused on guarding our children's purity and having a clear vision for protecting it. The instructor shared that we, as parents, all too often focus and set goals only for academics, career, and sports/extracurricular activities for our children but ignore goals for their future relationships. That really hit me! When they are on the brink of divorce or struggling in their marriage at 35, that A+ in algebra is NOT going to matter.
Ed and I are intentionally raising our boys to respect women and save themselves for their marriage so that they can stand before their bride on their wedding day with a pure heart carrying no baggage from the past. What a gift! We are raising them to look at sex as a beautiful gift of marriage not a recreational activity. We are raising them to be leaders of their home and providers for their family. And we are praying aloud to them every night (well, the majority of nights) for their future wife. We have vision and are being very intentional.
Some of the judgment in the message was also based on the fact that we homeschool and that we somehow do not believe in science. And, because of that fact, our kids will not be prepared for the real world. That is simply silliness! Having been a teacher for 13 years (and Ed is still teaching in public school), I know the clear difference between what happens every single day in a homeschool versus a public school. I have the authority to express the clear difference. Not to mention what God says about how we are to train and teach our children… But, the fact that my kids are not out in the world…c'mon! My kids are not stuck in a classroom for 7 hours a day for 13 years with kids only their age (i.e.. fools). They are living life--learning to get along in a family, taking care of every day tasks (i.e.. cooking, cleaning, gardening, doing laundry, mentoring, etc.). They are learning about finances and a budget. They are volunteering their time at church (yes, even during the day during the week) and helping the poor. They are learning things they are excited about, not just limited to the state standards. They are also learning science, real science, that which has been proven--NOT just science that is unproven but supports a theory (one that clearly refutes God's creation). My boys can also advance in their academics at their own pace--how motivating! My children are very well aware of the "real world" because they are living and experiencing it hands-on everyday.
So, while those initial flaming arrows stung, I am now thankful for them--they were a sweet confirmation. Since the messages back and forth, my near and dear has expressed regret for the verbal attack (but I am sure there is more to come). I pray that our life will be a true expression of the gospel and will raise curiosity for the beauty of living for our LORD.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
The judgment that others use when they say, "Well aren't your children supposed to be the salt and the light?" and we go on to explain that it doesn't happen until they're ready (hence adults, not cubs), I find surprising as these are the very people that seem to be certified to teach our chilcren. They see it as the now and not a result of.... They live with tainted and narrow theories. Spending your days with like fools, held captive between walls and soon armed security, isn't getting ready for the real world. There's a time and a place for everything and it all comes to fruition with the proper training and time. What a blindfold.
ReplyDeleteSince when has hs-ing and not believing in science ever gone hand in hand? I pray God would remove their blindfolds.