Broken

Last week, while the kids had swimming lessons, I talked with the mother of another child. The mother asked if we home schooled. Her question led to a discussion of home schooling. I admit that I was feeling a bit defensive, so I fired off several comments designed to wow her socks off. It almost seemed that as I talked, her eyes widened visibly. At one point in the conversation, she said, "Do you have more hours in the day than I have?"

Later, as I thought about our exchange, I thought how I would answer that mother or anyone who asked me why I choose to take the responsibility of teaching my children at home, when it would be far simpler to send them to school for free for eight hours each day. I think that the correct answer to that question should be that I have been redeemed by Christ to serve Christ. The areas of service that I have been called to and equipped in are those of being a wife and a mother. Home schooling happens to be one way that God has given me to spend my life for others. But just like most people, I am tempted to hold on to my life, my desires, my needs; I am tempted by the lies spoken around me that I have to protect my time, my interests, myself, or no one will. I must actively reject the lies and remember that the One who poured out His life for me asks the same in return. I am the friend of Christ in so much that I am willing to pour my life out for Him in service to my family. He will provide for me and someday, if I faithfully complete my task, my children and husband may have reason to rejoice in my service to them. Then, my reward will be greater than the enjoyment promised by seeking my own way and interest now. In a way, isn't that what Moses did when he rejected the opportunity to stay in the palace of Pharaoh, and instead went into the wilderness. He later reaped the rewards of following God when following God didn't make sense. I am thankful for the reminder.

And so, I am thankful that I had the opportunity to discuss home schooling with that mother; not for her sake, but for mine.