Called, Not Just Qualified: How God Covers Your Homeschooling Insecurities

The idea of homeschooling my family was an absurd idea. It was only five years ago that I graduated with my education degree and spent the last four years teaching sciences through a lens I did not even agree with. Even though the public school system did a number on me, I bought all the lies society told me. I did not want unsocialized, undereducated, weird kids, yet, as I sat there rocking my precious newborn baby, I could feel the gentle nudges of my heavenly Father pushing me into something that I never dreamed I would step into.

Insecurities love an open mic in our brains, at least mine do. It is through motherhood, though, that God began to do an incredible work in me as I began to be obedient to His calling. Maybe you are on the fence of diving into this unfamiliar territory of homeschooling, or maybe you are a well-seasoned homeschool mom; either way, this has fed my soul, and I hope it will feed yours as well.

IDENTIFYING THE LIES AND OVERCOMING INSECURITIES

My husband was homeschooled. He also grew up in a Christian home. I don’t mean they went to church every Sunday… I mean, he learned the Bible under the influence of his parents, while still going to church on Sundays. For me, though, I grew up playing sports on Saturdays and sleeping in on Sundays. We didn’t even attend church on Easter! Yep, we were that family. We hadn’t bought into the religious traditions. We just avoided it all. My testimony is not anything radical, but God saved my soul during high school, and I held it close to my heart. I still did not own a Bible or go to church, though, which made our early years of marriage rather interesting. My husband was patient with me, and it was through his leadership and discipleship that I began to grasp and understand the character of God, His grace, and His purpose for my life.

One thing the Lord opened my eyes to early in my discipleship was that following Him looked opposite from what the world draws us to. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” There were three major insecurities that the enemy whispered in my ear in an attempt to call me out of the ministry God desired for me within my home.

Money was one. It easily becomes an idol, and it took time for my husband and me to understand that living in comfort was not our calling. For me to quit my job meant giving up a lot of things we enjoyed and taking on the roles of grocery planning and budgeting. The world draws us to success and financial ease, while God draws us to sit at His feet, trusting He will meet our needs, even providing the finances to homeschool my children.

The world tends to call our kids out of the home; public school, church activities, social events, sports, and clubs. My husband and I served in the youth at our church in our early years of marriage. I will never forget a dad meeting with the youth pastor, face red as he ushered his family out of the youth building door. I soon learned that this dad was upset his teenage son had not accepted Jesus yet, and so he was taking his family to another church that could “do that for his son.”

Church is a huge part of my family’s life, but when it becomes the only place our children seek the Lord, we are stepping into religion rather than being the body of Christ. God not only meets us at the church building, but He also lives within us, and it is through the Holy Spirit that He works through us and through our children. We have an opportunity at home to not only be in His Word daily with our children, but also use a Christian-based curriculum that gives our children enriching learning experiences through God-honoring courses. God has called me to raise my children, not the governing agencies and agendas our society urges. Proverbs 22:6 tells us, "Train up a child in the way they should go, and they will not depart from it.” It is our responsibility as parents to teach, inspire, and train our children. Even if we divert them to the public school system, it is we who will be held accountable when we stand before the throne room of God. It is a huge responsibility, but one that can so deeply bless us if we embark on the homeschooling journey.

Which leads me to one more insecurity, and that is a lack of qualifications needed to homeschool my children. Sure, I had an education degree, but this was high school science, not all the subjects, not reading, and absolutely not Bible. I struggled to memorize verses, so how would I insist on my children doing something I couldn’t even do? We might find ourselves avoiding aspects of homeschooling because we do not feel qualified to teach them. It is likely accurate that we are not gifted in certain areas or subjects, but these truths do not disqualify us from teaching our children. How? Because as homeschool mothers, we are not teachers, we become students, and with our children, we grow and learn together. I have learned so much on my homeschool journey; things that I probably once knew and forgot, as well as things I would never have learned in the public-school setting. It is a beautiful journey we take together, and having that mindset completely changes how I view homeschooling and the relationship I have with my kids during our homeschool ventures.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

The amazing thing about homeschooling is that we are not called to do it alone.  Galatians 6:1–2 says, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

The Lord will place people in our lives to pour into us, equip us, and encourage us through our homeschool journey, especially on the hardest of days, but there will also be moments when we get to equip, encourage, and pour into others, too. Our Father is not alone. He has community with the Son and the Holy Spirit, so we should seek community for ourselves as well. Titus Collective is a community of homeschool moms who fail daily, but through His grace, we can help each other identify insecurities and speak truth over one another. We are willing to go to war for our children and families, and desire to raise a generation of God-fearing boys and girls that are equipped to go into the world, not to conform to it, but to be a light shining God’s grace for the world to see and experience.

~Chelsea

Simple Truths

Our children are not blank slates or academic projects. Not empty vessels or problems to fix. They are souls entrusted to us, they are born ‘persons.’

They already have minds capable of thinking, hearts capable of feeling, and a natural capacity to form relationships with truth, beauty, and goodness.

The goal is to nourish their minds with rich ideas, living books, and meaningful experiences.

Children don’t need everything simplified or watered down. They can engage with big ideas, form opinions, and make connections.

Because they are persons, they learn best through relationships—with people, with ideas, and with the world around them.

Lastly, they will not drift into wisdom, maturity, or godliness. It will be imparted by us as parents and by the Holy Spirit.

Ask God today to guide you into a feast of truth and beauty as you educate your children.

You will form an education philosophy as you move forward in your homeschooling journey. Let these truths be part of your foundation.

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~Tiffiney