Protecting Our Children

My mind is still reeling from the news out of Connecticut. While so many in our culture ask, "How could someone go after children?"--we know the answer. Sadly. We know that we live in a culture that "goes after children."

From abortion, to the sexualization of children in advertisements, to the video games that target their minds with shallow pleasure, to the movies that espouse every religious view but true Christianity--our culture goes after children. John Stonestreet once said, "The signs of an idolatrous culture are sexual immorality and the sacrifice of children." Few Christians can look at the world around us and not sense the idolatry of our culture. And that children always pay the price of idolatry.

It's tempting to think, "But we home school. We're safe. Our children are safe." If only it were so easy.

We see how the public schools have banned God from their midst. They determined that they didn't need God. We see the terrible fruit of that choice.

Do we live as if we need God? At every step? Or, do we fall into a sense that, because we home school, God will just cover us with His protection?

That was step one of the public school's departure from God. Many early public schools lived in dependence on God. Parents gathered together to set the agenda for the school, hired a Godly teacher, and focused on learning based on scriptural tenets. Then came the slow fade. Parents just assumed that the schools would honor God. Then, they assumed God would bless whether He was honored or not. Many Christians who send their children to public school still live in this fantasy.

Many home schoolers live in this fantasy as well. We assume that, because we began our journey by faith in God, somehow God will bless whatever we do. Whether we seek Him or not.

I find it so easy to fall into this. After so many years home schooling--so many times through the curriculum--I get lulled into a false sense of "I've got this." At other times I'm so overwhelmed, I grasp at any tool offered--forgetting to instead grasp for God. Daily I have to intentionally go to God, pray for the Holy Spirit to govern our day and be our teacher, and ask that God keep my ears tuned to hear His voice. It's an act of sheer perseverance to stay focused on Him.

Christmas is a time when God made abundantly clear--"My people need me. They need me living among them, walking with them, and guiding them at every step." The cry of Christmas is to accept Jesus in our midst. Daily. To live--eyes focused on Him. To walk with Him. To honor Him and be guided by Him in everything from our Bible lessons to our art lessons to our service in the community. We need to seek Him in teaching our children how to relate to us, to each other, and to those outside our homes. That is our protection.

What happened in Connecticut was not outside God's sovereignty. But, I believe it was outside His will. It was the fruit of living outside His will. May we as home schoolers vigilantly seek to live every day in His will. May we seek to be an example to a hurting world how to follow God in the dayliness of life--in every choice and every focus. May we recognize that He is the only protection we have.

Tess Worrell writes and speaks to groups regarding issues of family life and living as a Godly woman. She and husband, Mike Worrell, live in Madison, Indiana, where they are in their 14th year of home schooling. She would love to hear your insights. Comment here or email her at tess@YourFamilyMatterstous.com. If you would like Tess to speak to your home school or church group, you can learn more about her speaking at YourFamilyMatterstous.com.