Got this article in an email and wanted to share it. Hiding Under a Bushel? By Amy Pak (Home School in the Woods) In our eighteen years of homeschooling, one thing that has ruffled the feathers of this mama hen has been the ill-conceived notions of socialization. The whole delusion has left me scratching my head and wondering, “Do you not remember what it was like in public school when WE all grew up?” The clicks, the bullying, the popular kids who wore the latest fashions, and those who obviously didn’t (and were teased relentlessly because of it); how crushing were the comments children made to each other, often scarring the receiver for years, if not for life. School was a time when children were left to fend for themselves, with nothing but social peers who dictated much of their influence during the hours they were in the building, the lunchroom… or worse, the bus. They were under the authority of teachers — many well meaning — however several who may not have had the same foundational thoughts and beliefs as the parents, yet with much influence in forming the mind of the child. That was their job; that is why they pursued this career, to impact the lives of children. Although I did not grow up in a Christian home, I did remember my 7th-grade science teacher’s announcement as he was preparing to embark on the topic of evolution: “What your parents have taught you stays outside the door. This is where REAL science takes place.” Having no understanding of Biblical history, I didn’t understand why he would say that — but I did know ONE thing… my father would NOT like to be usurped by anyone. Not even a teacher! As I became a Christian and eventually a homeschool mom, I found that I constantly had to defend my choice to keep my children home — even among Christians. Even though our kids were active in church and had several friends, they saw us as “hiding them under a bushel.” Many quoted me the scripture: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-15) Do I agree with this scripture? YES, by all means! But… I had a bit of a problem. My children were young (as most are!). They were still learning their way through the Bible and their faith. They were still wrestling with questions of their own! Have you ever tended a small fire? It constantly needs attention and nurturing, feeding and coaxing. Turn your back on it and it will fizzle out before you know it. My children burned with questions and a desire to know more, but it would take time before they would be equipped to stand against those who would disagree or, dare I say, persecute them. A lamp, however, is fed continuously. It has a reservoir of oil, which allows it to burn for hours. How then can a child, left to his own fragile and youthful inexperience, be able to burn brightly enough to shine before men, given continual exposure to being snuffed out? I liken the child to the small fire; with consistent feeding of scripture, examples, prayer, and discussion, his time spent getting to know God will continue to fill his reservoir. Eventually, he will be able to burn on his own like the lamp, pulling from the stockpile of scripture and experience of a relationship with God. Did you also notice a key word in Matthew? “Shine brightly before MEN.” Did Jesus ever send out children as disciples? Not at all! In fact, he instructed the men before he sent them out. They walked with him, spent time with him under HIS teaching. He showed them how to minister to others, and warned against “false teachers” of questionable beliefs. In our early years of homeschool, a coworker asked my husband, Ed, why we homeschooled. Not knowing his intent, Ed guardedly answered, ending hesitantly with “We don’t shelter them, however.” The man bluntly replied, “Why not? With all the garbage in the world that is bent on robbing and influencing our kids, I would want to shelter and protect them until they were strong enough and equipped to really handle it.” Even as a man not steeped in the scriptures, he got it. Can some children weather the storm without shelter? Yes. As for us, we weren’t willing to take the chance. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 11:52:33 +0000
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