People Are Watching

In Chapter 5 there are problems among God's people. Their own nobles and officials are oppressing them. Dangers are not only coming from the outside, but there are problems within.

Nehemiah's response: "The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?"

This is a good verse for us all to think about, how our actions can bring disgrace to the name of Jesus. But for now, let's think about how it relates to homeschooling.

Some of the opposition to home education has been brought on by homeschooling parents themselves. Why do many people have negative images in their minds? They think of a child so secluded he is like a plant grown in darkness, pale and spindly and unable to thrive outdoors. A child backwards in a social gathering. A child who supposedly is homeschooled but instead is playing in the yard all morning and watching TV all afternoon. Kids so different they stand out in a crowd. There are these kind of kids. But I have to say, the most opposing views I've heard have to do with socialization and not academics.

My brother totally dispelled any doubt I might have had about homeschooled children. He has three daughters, one graduated from college, and my sister-in-law has taught them all at home all the way through. These girls from young ages were such delightful, interesting people. They easily could carry on conversations with adults and were full of life--inquistive and full of ideas and opinions. Of course there are shy homeschooled children too. But it's personality, not their educational situation. I can think of a most inhibited, timid, awkward child who never once spoke up and was petrifed to engage in a group setting. This child was ME, a product of the public school system.

I don't raise my children in isolation. They are constantly around a variety of people. By nature, my girls tend to be on the reserved side. They are thoughtful and don't immediately speak up in a social setting. But Arielle is far from shy. She boldly enters new situations and unlike me, is not at all intimidated by people she doesn't know. Liana is more of a one-on-one kind of person and holds back in a group. But that's okay. She is who she is.

So when people meet my children and know they are homeschooled, does that bring on the taunts of the enemy? We just spent two days in a car dealership (more on that on my other blog). Five long hours there and the girls had absolutely nothing to do while we waited and waited. Several people did take notice of them and commented on their behavior. "Most kids would have been screaming and racing around the showroom by now." "They are so mature and well-behaved." "Where do you girls go to school?" Homeschooled...ohhh. "Your girls are so good." Fred said, "I wouldn't expect anything else."

Now my children are far from perfect! And we are not perfect parents. But we spend so much time together as a family. Fred and I have more influence over our children than the public schools do. Homeschooling families need to be good examples. People are watching us, like it or not. We don't need to justify or explain ourselves; in fact, our actions speak louder than words. But let's not bring on the taunts of the enemy.

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.