I HAD A DREAM…

When I prayed about homeschooling our kids I made sure I was not searching for a specific answer. This was not usually how I approached prayer. My norm was to ask specific questions that I thought would represent both sides of the coin and then the way the coin landed would be the outcome God preferred. Considering homeschooling scared me. I was concerned that either outcome I chose, I would disappoint someone. With this prayer I wanted to set aside my fears and my assumptions of whom I would make happy or disappoint. The decision was weighing on me but, I chose to be open to whatever answer I had heard.

(Later I will talk more about how I experience God and why he is a friend of mine. I have a pretty neat story. I have made a lot risky and uncomfortable choices in life BUT this choice felt like one of the riskiest to say yes too.)

I prayed and heard nothing. Didn’t have a prompting either way. It seemed dead on the other line. Not even a busy signal…

About a week later I woke up and stayed in bed processing the dream I had: My child who was a boy (we actually didn’t know that yet) was in his kindergarten classroom. The classroom had a cheerful teacher and a calming atmosphere. Then the dream skipped to the end of the day when I was greeting my child as he arrived home. I was so excited to see him. He was cold and distant. I gave him time to rest and waited to approach the matter again to process what was bothering him. I then sat at the kitchen table, still dreaming, and I heard God say (not audibly), “You can choose. My highest and best is for you to home school your children. But if you choose to register them into public school, then I will make that my highest and best. I will work with what you choose!” I am not sure if the next realization I had was in the dream or just my conscience connecting with the dream... I felt that with my kids at home I would have a better idea of what goes on in their day to equip them, to help manage their hearts and teach them the tools they need to be successful, considerate and amazing humans.” Then I woke up.

I feel the story needs a pause to communicate I don’t agree that if you place your child in public or private school you will have a lesser opportunity to manage your child’s heart. This was just the case as the best for us due to how I am wired and my kids. K, now to wrap up the story.

I was shocked to hear I had a choice and God would honour whatever it is I chose and make that his highest and best. I mean, WHAT???… at this point it was exposing and breaking my God concept that either I do what he says or I piss him off. Huh, I pondered that for what felt like awhile and realized I adopted that mindset through what I was told, not through my experience of Him.

So, I allowed myself to choose. I dug deep past my fears, looked at my heart’s desires and choose yes to be the answer. This choice allows me to raise amazing adults who will contribute to this world. Who will be relational, kind, independent thinkers and brave enough to stand up for themselves. Willing to own their mistakes, apologize and exude a standard of excellence over perfection.

Now that we have completed our 6th year of homeschooling, I would not have it any other way. I have grown to love this lifestyle. The community we have is the same as any. Some you really click with and some you kindly smile and wave as you pass by. One thing I know is that we are continuing until we decide it is no longer the right fit.