“I’m quitting homeschooling.  We have prayed and prayed over our choices and decisions. This is best for our family. We need to begin loving one another again, but I’m afraid I will be judged.”

Those words have crossed my screen many times. The first time I read them, I was shocked. However, that shock no longer exists.

I do sit and wonder though…  I wonder if I could have done something to encourage my friend(s). Did I miss a chance to encourage, love or just walk this journey that can seem lonely?

As my mind tries to unravel the words I am reading, memories of my first conversation with a mentor is awakened.  ”Rebecca, the world you are about to enter is unlike any you have ever been in. The Christian homeschool world can be one of the most vindictive you have ever encountered.  Just remember, no one is perfect, including yourself and you’ll need to hand out grace, as well as mercy, like candy.  But, don’t expect anyone to do that for you.”

While I wish I could say my mentor was wrong, I can’t. This Christian homeschool world can be one in which judgments run deep. Comparison and fear can drive families to do crazy things they would not normally do.  In a ‘culture’ that desires to bring radical change, it’s still easy to fall prey to that old friend,  pride.  While one would think that gossip and exclusive clubs would not exist in this arena, they do. Yet, it is magnified ( due to the small community that exists in the homeschool world) and engulfs many who desire to walk a path that God created for them – especially if it looks different from what everyone else is doing.

As I think about the complexity of homeschooling, I pull myself back to reality and pray for my friend(s). I pray for words to say, to encourage, love and walk their new path with them.

No path is the same.

My heart is to help others learn to disciple their children in their own way. I long to sit with Moms and help them see their path may look different but our destination is the same and we can begin enjoying sweet fellowship here. We can teach our children diligently and find the living waters of real refreshment to help my sweet homeschool Mama friends break free from any bondage they may think they are in.

Truly, there is encouragement in both the close community and the one online. There are those who want to walk the path to disciple and refresh a homeschool Mom’s heart.

So, I’ve decided to join my friends. After many talks and prayers with my husband, I’m quitting homeschooling.

But I’m going to take my own path.

From this day forward, I will disciple my children (though some say I am not qualified because I don’t have certain initials at the end if my name), not homeschool them. From this day forward, I will do all that I can to encourage another Homeschool Mom. I will share about discipling vs teaching. I will show her where to find the true living water. I will help Moms seek the hearts of their children for the one who created them….

Together, we can encourage one another and make this journey one filled with joy and peace.

What do you think? Are you ready to stop homeschooling, too? Are you ready to join true authentic fellowship and encourage Moms on any path they are on?

I am – so I quit.

Have you?

This post and many more are part of the Teach Them Diligently Summer of Encouragement Link Up series! You can read More about How to Stay Encouraged While Homeschooling HERE

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There is a still small voice that speaks clearly to me every day of my life. When I am attuned to that voice and filter out the chaos of the world around me, peace and joy are are constant companions.

But, I have to listen with laser determination and keep my focus on that which is truly most important.

My home is busy with the sounds of my husband, two sons and my daughter. Each one part of me, but so different. Their needs, desires and the way they filter the world around them differs – not just from one personality to the other, but one moment from the next.

they are growing.

I noticed a few months ago that I was not listening to that voice as much, nor to the sounds and voices in my own home. This awareness hit me – when for the 5th time someone wasn’t doing something I had asked them to do.

As my Mommy frustration grew that still small voice spoke very clearly to me.

“When are you going to listen to me? When will you do what I have asked you to do? When will you place me first and disciple these children in front of you? When will you truly share with the world what you are learning without allowing it to consume you and the drama of the world to overwhelm you?”

It hit me.

They were not listening to me because I was not listening to them.

But, my Father was listening. He heard my sharp tongue and tone. He saw how chaos surrounded me because I was in a hurry to rush through the day with my children so I could just do one more thing that needed to be done.

and I realized, I was doing exactly what I said I would not do….. I was placing God and my family last.

Now, I’m turning my listening on more. My heart ‘here’ is to encourage women to be the wives and moms they were created to be.

So, I’m listening and being the wife and mom I was created to be. These babes, they are growing fast and my husband needs me as his help mate. I set the tone in our home when he is not here and I want it to be one of beauty glorifying the Father…..

and listening to that still small voice.

Are you listening?

sharing at five minute Friday.

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