A Homeschool Story

Once there was a boy who got into some trouble. He got in trouble in school so many times that he was finally asked to not return at the end of his 6th grade year.

This boy’s mama was at a loss for what to do and so she enrolled him in the local public school for 7th grade, where he got into more trouble and was exposed to some scary things 12 year olds should definitely not have access to.

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And this mama out of desperation turned to the only other option, the one she was convinced she would NEVER in a million years pursue but when you’re fighting for your child you’ll try just about anything.

And so she decided to not return to her part-time job where she counseled other people’s children but instead felt that God was calling her home to be with this boy (and his siblings).

So began an adventure in homeschooling; one that began pretty rocky. With both mom and child unsure about the whole thing but not seeing other alternatives both eventually decided to move forward and try to make the most of the situation.

And as the months passed, the boy learned and stayed out of trouble. He even took classes at a local co-op for homeschoolers, where he learned to play the piano as well as to think critically and even be able to defend his Christian faith through an apologetics class.

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One day the boy told his mom, “I think homeschooling brings out the best in me”. . . and oh, how that mama’s heart felt like it would burst. Because this path they took was not an easy one, there were still papers and assignments and Lord the reading, which was torture for a boy who doesn’t enjoy books and torture for the mom who had to be teacher and enforcer.

Now their year together has come to an end and this boy who once got into constant trouble, is a young man with plans for his future. He is kind and thoughtful and somewhere along journey he and mom bonded over Friday Night Lights episodes and became “best friends”.

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And though this mom would be happy to keep him home and continue to teach him for high school, she knows he is ready to  learn in a larger school environment and she knows he really wants to play football and sadly the homeschool has no team so in the fall he’ll be off to a wonderful Christian high school.

But the mom feels OK about it because she’s discovered a heart for homeschooling and has two little ones at home who are ready and eager to learn.

Most of all, the mom feels blessed that she had this most special, hard, wonderful year with her middle boy to love on and teach, discipline and laugh with. And she would do it again in a heartbeat.

Friends, this is our story. I have been so incredibly blessed this year and I have truly seen God’s hand in our lives as He turned a very difficult situation into a growth opportunity for all of us. I have loved having my boy home this year and I will miss him in the fall but I know the Lord has great plans for him wherever he goes and not only for him but for all of us. Because He met me where I was in my “there’s no way I can possibly do this homeschool thing” kind of place and said “Yes, you can because I’m going to be there with you every single moment.”

And yes, there’s always that chance that he, this boy will wander from the path and “get into trouble” some more, but I feel confident that “He who began this good work (in my boy) will see it through to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6  

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8 Comments

  1. Oh this is beautiful, and so encouraging. I long for my daughter to tell me that homeschooling brings out the best in her. We are currently in a battle of the wills. I often wish I could quite my job and stay home. But that’s not the plan, at least for now. Thank you so much for sharing.

  2. How exciting for you and your son. A new chapter begins. Having thoroughly soaked up the previous pages of your ventures together I am confident God will continue the good work He started in both of you.

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