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How Does a Homeschooler Spell Growth?

Webster's New Illustrated Dictionary -- growth -- n. -- The gradual development of a plant or animal; increase in size or amount; something that grows, as, the hill was covered with green growth.

2 Peter 3:18 -- "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory both now and forever!  Amen."

How do you measure 'GROWTH' in the life of your homeschooled children?

In your mind, is the success of your sacrifice to homeschool, love, nurture and prune your children for the sake of Christ measured by academics?  How high their SAT/ACT scores are?  What Ivy League college they are accepted by?  Or is the growth of your children measured in a different way?

How about by the growth of the out-pouring of GRACE to the needy, to those who may not have many friends, to forgiving a sibling for "borrowing" something without permission AGAIN.  How about their understanding that we are saved by grace and not by "being good," and taking that Good News to a lost and dying world so that they might be changed into a new creation and welcomed into life eternal.  I Cor. 15:12 - "But by the GRACE of God I am what I am, and His GRACE to me was not without effect..."

How about by the growth of your child's RELATIONSHIP with Christ as they study His Word.  Does the love and maturity that comes from spending time with that Dear Friend show in thier countenance?  Does it show in how they treat their siblings, in how they obey their parents?  If our children are growing in their relationship with the Lord, we will see that shine through in moments that we least expect.  It won't always be the big things...look for those precious little reminders that give assurance...opening a door for an elderly couple, bending down to pick up something someone dropped without being asked, willingness to read their Bible or ask questions so that they may understand all the more.  3 John 1:4 - "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

How about growth in an OVERWHELMING ASSURANCE that a loving God Who created them with a purpose is directing their paths.  There may come the day when they will wonder out loud, "Why am I in this family?"  Hopefully, their understanding that the Lord directs all things, even our decision to homeschool, will allow them to appreciate the choices we have made for them.  As they grow and learn they will be able to see how they have been allowed to flourish in their homeschool environment and how their education and life-style compares to no one else's...and that will be an overwhelming assurance that God knew what He was doing when He allowed us to be in this family.  Jer. 29:11 - "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a futhre.'"

How about growth as they take plasure in WORSHIP.  I don't know about you, but to me, worship is the way I "hug" the Lord!  We need to help our children understand that.  One wonderful fact to share with them is that this has been going on since time began!  Songs of praise and worship help us to cultivate and express our love-relationship with the Lord.  Talk to them about how God inhabits the praises of His people, how David could calm Saul just by singing praises to the Lord.  David was such a worshipper!  Do they know that the book of Psalms is actually a hymnbook?  Worship isn't always expressed in song....worship is also expressed in our tithes and offerings, our willingness to do all for God's glory.  Psalm 100:2 - "Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs."

How about TIME spent with the Lord.  Do our children grow in the Lord by taking time to be with Him?  Do we?  Relationships do not grow unless time is spent together.  The same is true with our own relationships with the Lord.  We grow in our relationship with Him by spending time reading our Bibles, time in Prayer, time in worship, time in the fellowship of the saints!  The Lord has been so good in all He has done for us, how can we not want to spend time with Him?  Hosea 10:12 - "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is TIME to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you."

How about growth in your child's willingness to HELP others.  Cultivate a willingness to HLEP others...this will improve relationships within our homes as well as cause them to grow a good reputation within our church and community.  A wonderful, creative lady in our support group started a service club and they have done everything from bake and deliver cookies to election workers, to decorate the local library for Christmas, to write encouraging letter's to our service men and women.  A little bit goes a long way!  One of the girls who delivered cookies to the poll workers was recognized in public by one of the recipients and was told how much those delicious cookies were appreciated!  Those girls have learned so much about helping in the Name of Christ.  Ecc. 4:9-10 - "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can HELP him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to HELP him up!"

Just as a little plant needs the ingredients of sun, water and soil for growth, our children need the ingredients that we have been endowed by the Lord to provide for them...

Grace

Relationship with Christ

Overwhelming assurance

Worship

Time

Help

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><