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Tuesday, June 9, 2009

heading to the lion's den

six years ago, aaron and i decided that we were going to put our kids in public school. it was a very hard decision for me. i had homeschooled all of my kids up to that point and i felt like by sending them into the world for schooling, i was sending my babies, whom i had mothered and protected, into a den of hungry lions ready to pounce on them and devour them. it was a very heartwrenching thing for me to do until i had settled in my heart that they were not going into the lions den on their own. they were going to be just as protected there as they were in my home because they were encompassed in the care of my God. He is a much better mother and protector than i could ever be. and, He could be with them all of the time, while i could not.

i remember talking to the Lord one day before we had come to this decision and i was crying because i knew that it was time for me to be done teaching my children at home and yet it frightened me so. it was time for my youngest daughter to go to kindergarden and i was already teaching my older three kids and beginning to struggle under the pressure of having to accomplish so much teaching at different levels in one day. i was feeling overwhelmed with the idea of adding Amanda's lessons to my already-behind daily schedule. what should i do? should i continue to stuggle? believe God to empower me to take on the extra lesson time? send them to public school and trust God to protect them? maybe the time had come to let them venture into the world and take their Jesus with them? but, it still hurt my heart to know that what i had protected them from up to that point was going to be thrown right in their face. i did not want my sweet, innocent children to be influenced by the ugly, harsh world. i wanted to know that they would be able to stand in the midst of worldliness with their heart connected strongly to their God fulfilling the destiny upon their life of shining the character of Jesus in that dark place, not them be pulled into the worldiness and leave their beliefs behind for acceptance of the world they were entering into.

i remember vividly where i was when i felt God speak to my heart and say, "christy, whatever you decide to do, they will be ok. I will be with them. they hear My voice, they will follow Me." with tears streaming down my face and a burden so heavily upon my heart being lifted, i found myself relax in His word of promise to me. i knew that He would keep them in the midst of all the evil in the world. He would protect them. He would bring them through and empower them to live in Him. from that point forward, i have had peace in sending my children to school.

i can't say that i haven't had to remind myself and God of what He told me that day several times. but, overall i have been able to trust God to keep them as they leave home and venture into the lion's den everyday. and, as they are getting older now, i feel as if God is helping me to teach them that it is important for them to look to Him to meet all of their needs and to recognize the deception of the enemy in looking to substitutes to be first place in their life. I John 5:21 tells us all to do the same with our own heart as well. thank you Jesus for being with my children each day and preserving them for your glory. thank you for giving my heart rest as i trust You to keep your promise.

29 comments:

Heart2Heart said...

Christy,

I will be making sure to pray for strength for you but wisdom and protection for your children as well. I am doing 5th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade all at home so I know how challenging it can be!

Rest in God's promise and realize, you can always bring them back home!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

rcubes said...

God always reminds me, "as parents, you are just to guide". I know that I need to completely put my trust in Him that He is the One Who is always with my child. And that is comforting to know. We are here to guide our children into maturity and may the Lord help us to make them seek Him first.

It's not easy to have them out of sight, so I know the feeling; you, being a concerned and loving parent. But there is no place where our children go that the Lord isn't there...Thank you for your post that comforted me knowing I wasn't alone in that same struggle. You blessed me with what the Lord had revealed in your heart and that gave me courage as well..

Thank You Lord.

Amber said...

Hi, Christy!
Thanks for coming over and visiting my blog! I love meeting new friends! Your blog is precious.
We sent our kids to public school for the first time this past year. We had homeschooled and been in Christian school up until then. I was very anxious about the move, but finally just had to give it all over to God and trust Him.
Looking forward to getting to know you better!
Amber

Daveda said...

I can relate to this so much. When Chris was in third grade we decided, I should say I decided (I hadn't been saved very long...oops!)to homeschool. I did it for three years, and in the last of those three years I homeschooled shane who was in first grade.

It was not going well! I was stressed out and so were the kids...oh my it wasn't fun at all. But, the thought of sending them to "The Lions Den" horrified me! My husband, however, made it clear he wanted them back in school. I remember running off to the bathroom, tears running down my face, praying, oh Lord, oh Lord!

After a few minutes I knew the right thing to do was to honor my husband and trust God to change his mind, if that were His will. However, God did not change Matt's mind and the following year my kids went off to school.

After a time, I had peace about where they were and we had favor every year with the teachers they were assigned.

Then we moved, and life changed. I am now three years later homeschooling my youngest two children. But this time, Matt and I both made the decision. This time it is going much better than before...by a lot!

My point is, God is faithful to my children wherever they go. I still can't imagine not having them home. But, if God were to call me to put them in school, I know He would give me peace; like He did last time.

I know He would take care of them, because He loves them more than I do.

See you soon!

Kathleen said...

I cannot imagine having a child in the public school system today, but I'm proud of parents who take the time to equip their children to be salt & light there.

Be blessed,
Kathleen

momstheword said...

Whatever God calls us to do, He enables us to do it and watches over us through it.

We are still homeschooling, but our children do go out "into the world" and so I still feel the need to trust in the Lord for their safety as they go out and about. He is faithful!

Alicia The Snowflake said...

This is such a heart wrenching decision either way. But it is so important to remember that our children are God's children first. We have to trust them with Him. Thank you for that great reminder my friend! You know I'm struggling with that this week ;)

Shanda said...

Every year we prayerfully consider what God would have for our children's education. We are blessed with an amazing Christian school right now that I am so thankful for; but even with such a great school here, we take the decision seriously every year. Thank you for sharing this!

Anonymous said...

Christy, I so enjoyed reading this. We decided to send our kids to public school this coming school year and it was a very hard decision. I wept over the decision mainly because I felt like I was putting money before my kids. I just don't feel like my kids are getting that much better of an education than other children who's parents don't spend $... Read More900 a month for school. We are going to try the neighborhood school this coming year and if need be we wil re-evaluate later. I hear the voice of my Father and the voice of a stranger I will not listen to. I will always put my childrens best interests first and God knows their wants and needs and they will not be forsaken. Thanks for the post.

Angela said...

I will contend with those that contend with you, and your children I will save. Isaiah 49:25b

All your sons (and daughters) will be taught by the Lord and great will be their peace. Isaiah 54:13

This is what came to my spirit when I read your post...((hugs))

~*Michelle*~ said...

You are so right in trusting and believing that God is always with His children.....always. I am so confident you have (and continue) to equip these children with the armor of God when being placed in any situation/place.

I struggle with worry all the time.....I think it's natural for a mom to feel this way. My oldest will be 18, adheres to an 11pm curfew on Friday night after youth group and I still worry until he is home. I don't think it ever ends. But I do find peace when I turn my worry/concern over to The Great Protector.....He gives me peace and comfort.

xox

Cynthia said...

I have been swallowing the lump in my throat ever since two months ago when my twin boys, now entering middle school, told me that they might like to stop homeschooling now. They are enrolled in a private Christian school for next year...a small one...and yet I am aching because we will be apart all those hours and because my little guys are just so darn quirky...perfect targets for mean words! But God is quieting my heart, as He did yours.

This was a wonderul post!

Adeye said...

Hello, thank you so much for stopping by my blog, and for your very sweet comment. I appreciate your kind words so much. How wonderful it is to look through your jouney in the Lord. Wow--He certainly does have first place in your life--what a blessing and a treasure. Can't wait read more. Your family is absolutely beautiful.
Thank you for allowing me to journey with you. Such a blessing.
Adeye

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Christy:
I just typed a lengthy comment, but internet explorer wouldn't allow it; I've been having a lot of problem with IE these days. Anyway, your thoughts here tie in nicely with my recent post about "letting go." Your trust is well-placed.

peace~elaine

momstheword said...

Thank you, I am proud! And you're right, seeing him serve the Lord in church, and speak out about his faith is what is really so awesome!

During school, whenever he could get it into a term paper, he would, lol!

Beth E. said...

How wonderful is our God, that He would speak to you such calming, loving words?!

I dealt with much apprehension regarding our boys receiving their education in public school. Yes, there were difficult times for them. However, it was through that difficult time that they (and hubby and I) leaned on God all the more, learning to trust HIM with their problems.

Has their educational experience been perfect? Nope. Would their educational experience have been perfect if I had home schooled them? Absolutely NOT. But, the boys have persevered in the midst of their struggles, growing stronger in their faith as a result. Praise God for His faithfulness!

It's tough letting go so that God can have control. But, oh, the blessings when we do!

E @ Scottsville said...

I too was at the point you were.... having to go from homeschooling to 'the world'. We opted for a Christian Private School, but that was sooooo hard on me. My kids were all put BACK one whole year and it killed me. KILLED ME. I took that very personally... like I had failed my kids.

But it is a very good school and I had to swallow my pride and admit that they could do better than obviously I was doing. *sigh*

So they've been there two years now and I feel so much relief! They're thriving and sooo much less stress for me. I love it! I'm glad we did it...

Julianne said...

Hi Christy,
I'm so glad you posted this! My daughter just finished her first year of public school, it was scary for me at times to think of her in Kindegarten away from home for all those hours. I felt the same way- would she be alright? What if something bad happened to her at school, or on the bus? What about all the bad influence she'll be around?
It was so great to read your thoughts, and how the Lord spoke to you about it- definately helps me to read what you wrote!
Thanks for sharing!!
Julianne

Carrie said...

What a tough decision to face. I do not homeschool or have I ever...but I know a couple moms IRL who do, and love it, but have struggled over the choice :) I've not felt called to do that, or feel like I'm the best teacher they could have...and love how you remind us that God is the best teacher and mother they will ever have or need...and that He is trusting us to help guide them in His way :)

Five Moms & A Blog said...

That was a really great post. I currently have children in public school and I pray every day that they would let their light shine and that God will guide their decisions. I trust that he has and my children are to be witnesses!

Prayers in this decision!
Tarah;)

Sarah said...

What a beautiful reminder. When we first started this missionary adventure, a leader of the ministry gave us the best piece of advice. He told us that God would show us how to raise our children on the mission field. He would show us on our knees. Delighted that God is showing and teaching all of us the same through your words.

Thanks for splashin' around my blog today. Your comments always bless my day.

Besitos (little kisses),
Sarah Dawn

Anonymous said...

You are so sweet and I adore your heartfelt testimony, your honesty will be a blessing to so many ladies (myself included!!).

I'm your 22nd comment? Wow, you're popular!! :)

He & Me + 3 said...

My children are in the public school system...and yes I pray everyday that He protects them and that they are a light in this dark world. The only light some children may ever be exposed too. What an awesome opportunity for our children.

Saleslady371 said...

Sharing your decision about this and writing from your heart helps people so much. You have a sweet spirit and touch me deeply.

Living Grace Church said...

This sure brought tears to my eyes! As I think about each one of your kids,God has really been good to you. They are strong in their INNER MAN!
It's exciting watching His plan for them unfold.

jess brown said...

last comment was from me, I have no clue why it says andys name!

Miss Charlene said...

God is definitely everywhere. He was even with Daniel in the lion's den. I understand the fear, because I share the same one too. Everything will be alright, and your children are HIS.

Jen said...

Oh Christy Rose, God is in control and He will guide your children and protect them. My children have been in public school and homeschool and there are definite advantages to both. God can use them to be a light in a secular world. Just don't forget He has them in the palm of His hand.

Warren Baldwin said...

Hard choice. I believe in homeschooling (I was homeschooled for 2 years back before you ever heard much about it). But, kids from secure homes can do well in public school as well. We need to monitor their work, sometimes give them extra at home, and not be afraid to disagree with some of what we find in the text books. We can help our kids evaluate the good and the bad. That in itself is a learning process. wb