Bo​az Baptist Chronicles

Answering a question about personal experiences in homeschooling, my wife wrote…

“Having gone to public school, then a Christian School (very small in the strongest, strictest sense; Baptist church), I can attest that, for me, there was a tremendous contrast in these two. In public school I was mocked, and disliked, often finding myself completely isolated and/or hanging out with other gals who shared the same lot. From 3rd grade up to 8th, I tried to witness, invited people to church, mostly wore dresses, didn't cuss etc, and I, along with several other born again students, was sorely persecuted. It is only recently that I have come to the realization that that persecution really did a number on my zeal. When I began attending our church academy, I went from being the odd girl to being part of a group that believed like me and wanted to live and serve God. Our church school encouraged us to do things for God, things like witnessing, serving others, etc. I am extremely thankful for being able to attend a Christian school, and for being away from the temptations that befall many teens. The years between my graduation and having children of my own, I saw drastic changes in society, schools, and churches. Plus, living in NYC, when discussing our children's schooling back in 1990's, my husband made it clear that ours would have to attend public school. I understood then that we didn't have the money nor were able to access to a Christian school, but that didn’t matter, we did it out of conviction—Biblical conviction.

We first heard of homeschooling during a brief stay in Florida. Having settled the legality of it, we knew it was what God wanted us to do—which is really the bottom line, anyway.

However a family chooses to educate their child(ren), it should be the way God leads them, not because they are following a certain church/pastor or think that homeschoooling will somehow guarantee that their children will never stray from the LORD or guarantee they will always make all the right choices, etc. (There is no guarantee for that). If you've read this far, hang in there, I am getting to my point. Having been a homeschool mom since the early 90's, and let me say I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. It's been a terrific journey. Seeing my children graduate is bittersweet. Homeschooling gave us so much more than just academics. Which is something else each family has to decide—what goals do they have for their children's lives. Our goad has remained the same. It was/is to raise children who love God and desire to serve Him in whatever capacity He leads. It’s also to be able to balance a checkbook, use common sense, to be upright and honorable adults with a testimony that brings glory to God. Some homeschool families isolate their children in hopes that said isolation will keep them from living a life of sin and wickedness. Others choose to gradually expose them to the things that might tempt them, to aid them in resisting temptation when it comes. Regardless, the bottom line is that each individual reaches a time and place where they are forced to decide for themselves the path they want to walk. Regardless of how a person is schooled, there are always going to be things that they have to make decisions about. Lastly, I've spoken to hundreds of women about how their children should be schooled. Besides being certain that you are being obedient to the LORD’s leading, mom and dad need to be in agreement about it, as well.

Mrs. Bob Leib 5/2012