Home Education New to Home Education.....Home Education Myths...Forward When my husband Karl and I made the decision to homeschool our children in the fall of 1973, it was a life-changing undertaking. It proved to be, and is still, one of greatest fulfillment and lasting satisfaction. To be a wife and mother has always been a most precious treasure in my life. God has blessed our marriage of more than thirty-four years with nine, now grown, children; six girls and three boys. He has added yet many more blessings to our household including twenty-seven grandchildren—and we're still counting! As the wife of my missionary, and pastor husband, we have been more than satisfied with having our children with us day by day. Homeschooling became a natural part of our daily living, one that has all too soon been completed. We are very happy to see and be a part, with several of our children now homeschooling their children. There were, from the beginning, many questions which relatives and other concerned people would bring repeatedly to our attention, while we were in the process of educating our children. These questions are still being asked of homeschooling parents today. The answers are still the same and certainly proven to be true. Home education does work; is not a burden, and does produce the desired results. A mature, capable young man and young woman, with a firm belief in God, the home and family, and a strong patriotic citizen, as well as being self-sufficient are results which homeschooling parents should see. When beginning, it seems like such a long lonely road to take, but in reality it is a truly blessed way of living. Children are the heritage and blessing of the Lord. We have so few short years to have the companionship and closeness of our children. That which we impart to them during their years of nurturing and training will be the basis for their character and beliefs when they mature.I have often taught of Jockebed, Moses' mother;Hanna, Samuel's mother, and others in the Bible who, in the formative years of their children's lives, instilled in them the faith and belief in God that influenced these men and women as they became leaders before God. We need not, as parents, feel that we are depriving our children by homeschooling them. Indeed we are giving them the foundation for their lives. God will honor and bless our determination to do things His way. Besides being concerned myself, our own capability to teach our children was challenged on occasion. I also know, though, that the source of ability' comes from our Heavenly Father. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). Our God who gives us our children requires us to teach them His righteous statutes, judgments, laws, and His Holy Word. God who gives us children also gives the ability' to properly raise and teach them. I guess it is a very strange thing that the educational system that taught most of today's parents would so question the results of their own products. The challenge to Karl's credentials to write seems equally foolish. Having been a minister for over twenty-five years and actively involved in the education of our own children for over fifteen years; Karl has gained a wealth of insight, knowledge, and understanding. Karl has also been the director of the Christian Home School Association in Northern Arkansas until recently. He has spent considerable time and effort in study, working in legislative activities, and in legal cases involving homeschool issues.
Virginia Reed |
