Stepping Outside the Box
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear...2 Tim. 1:7a
When Pam left my house that summer afternoon, my initial concern was that I had overwhelmed her. The thought that maybe I had introduced too many ideas, too quickly, and too soon entered my mind. Twenty years of homeschooling is a lot to share with one person in a single afternoon.
Pam's request for help was so sincere and genuine that The Lord would not give me rest until we met. Her daughter was entering eighth grade, and Pam was feeling the challenge of the high school years looming ahead. She wanted to prepare now, rather than wait until it was here.
"I would love to have you come to my house," I had answered in her request to see my material, "But I can only show you what I have used personally. Just remember that what works for me, may not work for you. So you will have to examine everything in light of your own children's needs. But I would be more than happy to show you alternatives and to give you ideas."
There was an eagerness in her voice, revealing a desire to continue homeschooling, yet, at the same time, a definite fear and trepidation of the higher grades. Up to this point she had only used segmented workbooks for every subject with her children. And now her husband was encouraging her to branch out and to try something new.
In the three hours that we had together I showed her history scrapbooks that my children had put together themselves. A new, homeschool friendly science curriculum I was using caught her eye. And for the first time she was introduced to the world of journaling as a tool for teaching English and Writing. I shared insights, offered suggestions, showed curriculum, and explained a variety of teaching methods.
In response to her concern for spending ample time on each subject, I recommended the use of a week long assignment sheet, which would allow her daughter to proceed at her own pace, to move ahead, if desired, and to double-up on assignments when concepts were mastered. Her daughter could then have some freedom and control over planning.
"But shouldn't my daughter spend 45 minutes on each subject every day?" Pam asked.
This prompted me to explain the difference between schooling at home and homeschooling as a lifestyle, a concept which definitely needed time to sink in. She left my home somber.
A few days later at church I encountered a smiling Pam. "Thank you so much for meeting with me," she said excitedly. "You definitely changed my thinking on homeschooling. I honestly wanted to quit, believing that I couldn't handle it anymore. But your concept of homeschooling as a lifestyle, changed my thinking. I intend to start doing things differently this coming year."
It was a blessing to see Pam overcome her fear and to step "outside of the box."
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for using me to encourage another mother. Thank you for answering my prayers for wisdom. Please continue to allow me to be an influential tool in furthering Your movement of homeschooling.
