The funny thing about homeschooling, is I never thought that I'd be doing it. Let me tell you my story......
The first person I ever came in contact with who homeschooled was a close friend of mine, Tricia Komzik, back in 1991. I had met her while we were both 8 months pregnant, our husbands were both stationed at Vandenberg AFB in California, and both families attended the same church (unbeknownst to us at the time we met).
I knew nothing about homeschooling and thought it to be very strange. Over the years I had watched Tricia homeschool her oldest, then her twins and this fall it will be her youngest, age 5. To me it was always stressful just listening to her. How could she be a teacher? How does she know all this? Why all this bother?
Then sometime in 1995, my husband came to me and said, "Terry, the Lord has laid it on my heart for us to homeschool our children." What? I thought. He's got to be kidding! No way....not this Mom. And of course over the next 2 years, he brought it up here and there. I kept wishing he'd "go away" with this "idea" of his. After a while, it really bothered me. I talked to Tricia many times about it. Tried talking myself into it too, thinking it was the "right thing to do." But I kept getting these knots in my stomach just thinking about it.
In June of 1995, my husband gave me this bag full of homeschool brochures, newsletters, books, etc, from this Homeschooling Conference a guy he knew had attended. I don't remember why he gave them to my husband. But I went thru the bag, months and months later after it sat in my closet. Yeah, it was good stuff....but not for me I thought.
In the fall of 1995, I met another woman named Debbie Koiner, at our church. I never realized what an impact she would have on my life. Never realized that it was all in God's plan that her and I become friends. She had 3 boys at the time (has twin baby boys now!) and homeschooled the oldest. Although she attends another church, we are still very close. From time to time she would share things with me on homeschooling.
Thru my church I met more Moms who homeschooled, read articles in magazines and books, heard stories on the radio....I was just being bombarded with homeschooling stuff right and left. Little did I know that the Lord was slowly using all of this to change my heart.
Then in May 1997, I spoke with 2 Moms from my church. One homeschools now, the other tried it with no success. They were talking to me about support groups and how important it is to be involved in one. We talked about everything and yet, I still walked away saying, "I CAN'T do this."
But that night, I took it to the Lord and cried out, "Dear God, I DON'T want to do this. You know how much I don't want to. Where will I find the time? I have too many other things to do. I want to do your will. Please do something." That is all I prayed.
Within two days.....mind you.....just two days, the Lord had given me a peace within my heart that you wouldn't believe!! I could honestly say out loud, "Yes God, I will homeschool my children!" I was so full of joy! I KNEW it was of God because Terry never wanted to do this in the first place. Terry is NOT a teacher. Terry is still NOT a teacher. That is why I stand by Philippians 4:13 (see above). I can't do it without Him.
Come read about the new support group I felt led by God to form.
God is good. God is awesome! May He continue to guide you and bless you in your life!
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