Not As Strong As They Think We Are

It's uncanny how many times people have commented to us that they don't have the patience to homeschool. Like a character out of The Wizard of Oz, if only they had "patience" then all would be well.

What's worse is they seem to think that WE have patience! As if educating our children at home just comes easy for people like us! To twist a title from a Rich Mullins' song, we are not as strong as they think we are. My wife and I have come face-to-face with our utter sinfulness as we try our patience everyday with our children.

Both wheat and tares are growing out of our homeschooling experience. The wheat is that my wife is becoming ever more beautiful. The difficulties of our first full year of homeschooling have been instruments in God's hand to sanctify her. Yes, some days there are tears, and ashamedly, some days there are fits of rage. But more and more (it is undeniable!) God is honoring our decision by bringing forth fruits of the Spirit in my wife.

On the other hand, tares come from when we do "loose it" with our children. It scares us to see our oldest son angry more often. You reap what you sow (Gal 6:7).

But I, as responsible to God for my wife and children, remain convinced that we are on the right course. To say it bluntly, getting rid of the children is not getting rid of your "patience" problem. The problem lies within us, it's not external to us. We need to accept the difficulties of child-rearing as tools in God's hand, and although we are weak, He is strong.