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 his 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 with 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 that 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 wit'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 homeschool support group.  Her child just isn't catching on to a concept and she's at her wit's end; and after coming 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 attand 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 families with the new crowd?  Isn't that part of our Titus 2 duty?  Did the Lord really make you a part of your group JUST so you could get a newsletter, go to gym or co-op or field trips, 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 not look to our own needs now...we're past that.  Let's be the Lord's hands and feet and minister to our sisters and their families and ease some of those fears and build some dreams!  After all, a long time ago someone cared enough to be there for you.  Now it's your turn.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><  

Untitled Comment

03:08, 2007-Sep-14 .. Posted by gokings13

The 'homeschool support group' that I attended was more like a 'girls club' than anything else.
The 'homeschool co-op" that we attended for a semester was ran by very bossy / pushy women, and rooms filled with undisciplined children. No one had any time to 'mentor' or give advice because they were all running around like chickens with their heads cut off.

We have been home schooling for 5 years (3 of which have been at the high school level). In my state and area, there is NOTHING out there for kids my age.........it's all the little ones, and so many of those groups are filled with those who "home school because it's the new thing to do" and end up dumping their kids back into the system after a couple of years....

I guess what I am saying in a long winded way is this: there is no sense of commitment to this calling of God.
When I am stumped, stunned, confused, lost, worried, or whatever, I just pray.......I don't really need anyone else. God is the One running this operation, so I am totally comfortable listening to Him Alone!!

laura