Why I do this.

Here's a little anecdote that sums up why I choose to school my kids at home.  These moments would be someone else's if I didn't have them here.

The handwriting assignment was to write a letter to God thanking Him and asking Him for help in being a good student, especially in handwriting.  The three of them were doing so well and we discussed that no request is too small or too big for God, there is nothing He won't do for us if we are asking in His will.

Then, Mary, my sweet Mary, added, "I know a verse that says, 'Is there anything too difficult for me?' and that's God talking."  I was just filled with joy at hearing my almost-6 year old quote scripture in an appropriate application.  Melanie and I looked at each other with wide eyes.  I asked Mary if that had been one of her Awana verses and she informed me that it was actually William's verse that she had helped him with and that she has that verse in her book, but she hasn't gotten to that part yet.   Oh!  Just melt a mother's heart!

I could send my "monsters" to school each day and get a much-needed break from 24-hour duty and most days I would probably enjoy that very much, but how would I ever know what treasures like this I have missed?  Would these moments be some other teacher's?  Or would God bless another child with these displays of the power of His Word?

I count it a privilege and a blessing (most days) to have my children here at home with me, studying and applying God's Word to their lives.  And though I know I have the broadest impact on what my children learn and experience with God, I thank the Sunday School teachers and the Awana volunteers for their work, which has directly impacted my children in a very positive way, giving me this treasure to ponder.