Wanna Be a Steader!

Is Your Iron Getting Rusty?

Prov. 27:17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so one man [family] sharpens another."

     When you began your homeschool adventure, where was it that you went to ask questions, get answers, find the camaraderie of many shoulders to cry on and find out that your child wasn't a freak because he was having trouble with this nine times-tables?  Where was it that you could  count on someone with experience to be there for you?

     Does "support group" ring a bell to anyone?

     I hate to say it, but in many areas support groups are going the way of snow in the summer-time...they seem to be melting away and fading into the atmosphere.  And I say, "what a shame."

     It's come to my attention that many of our precious experienced homeschoolers are starting to drift away from attending their area support group meetings.  Do they feel they have out-grown them?

     Look at it this way:  if I take two pieces of rusty, dull iron - I have two pieces of rusty, dull iron!    But if I rub them together, something great happens; they start to change.  They become a little sharper, they become a little brighter and shinier.  They become something USABLE.  Iron can't sharpen iron unless there is friction between the two...they have to meet together.

     As I asked you in the beginning, think about when YOU were a new homeschooler and your child just wasn't catching on to a concept and, at your whit's end, you went to your homeschool support group and started asking around for help.  Lo and behold!  There was a wonderful, experienced mom there who had actually "been there, done that!"  You went home, tried her advice and it worked!

     Now...think of this:  A new homeschool mom, full of hopes and dreams and fears comes to your support group.  Her child just isn't catching on to a concept and she's at her whit's end; and after she comes to your support group she starts asking around for help.  Lo and behold!  Does she find it from YOU...OR is this one of those nights when you decided you just didn't want to go tonight?  After all, what more do YOU need to learn about homeschooling since you've done it for so long?

     Well, what if the reason you are STILL to attend your group has changed?  What if it's now a ministry?  What if the reason that new homeschool mom leaves the meeting a little sadder and a little more fearful and discouraged is because YOU weren't there to answer her questions the way someone was there for you?

     Isn't it time for us to be there for a new generation of homeschoolers?  Isn't it time for us to share our experiences, our triumphs, our joys and even our failures with the new crowd?  Isn't that part of our Titus 2 duty?  Did the Lord really make you part of your group JUST so you could get a newsletter, go to gym or co-op, to field trips, or find out about curriculum sales and legislative updates?  I don't think so.

     This is a new season in our lives and an opportunity to shine as examples of experienced homeschool moms!

     Let's be the Lord's hands and feet and minister to our sisters and their families and ease some of those fears and help build some dreams!  After all, a long time ago someone cared enough to be there for you.  Now it's your turn.

     Blessings, Kim Wolf<><

Thanks Kim- This is important

09:19, 2007-Apr-19 .. Posted by YPAmy5

Kim- I couldn't agree more. I would never have been as confident as I have in this, our first year homeschooling, if it hadn't been for the wonderful ladies who have gone on before me and continued to stay within our homeschool group.
I believe as you do that it becomes a ministry! I have been so blessed by the ladies in my group. They have encouraged me, prayed for me (and on matters not directly related to homeschooling), called and checked on me and have shown geniune interest and care for me and my children.
While part of me is truly amazed at how well we transitioned this year from public to homeschool and how we thrived I know it is due in part to this wonderful NECESSARY homeschool support group.
Thank you for writing about this and I echo you in supporting those who are the homeschooling veterans to stay within the group. Please- look for someone like me- so new to it we shine with the label NEWBIE! Take someone like me under your wing- ask how things are going- remember her in prayer, remember what her kids are studying this year and ask her how they are doing. If her child is struggling in a subject- please check back in with her later to see if it has improved and just plain look to help where you can.
On behalf of all newbies- I say Thank You.
Amy W