Why Petra School?

This week I have been considering the bold answers – honest answers – to the question of why we homeschool. I think I’ve gotten so good at blending in, not offending moms, trying to be supportive of all types of learning – that I’ve gotten vague on the Why of what we do.

We homeschool because of an undeniably strong urge on our hearts to raise our children for the Lord. Sending them to any Free Government Run Daycare Facility, where they zero freedom to live their lives vocally or in deed for the Lord – would be against everything I read in scripture.

I do not feel that my children are equipped to be “light” in the darkness as well as the employees of the government institutions are equipped to turn out those lights.

Have you been called to send your children to public school? Then write your story out – and help those who have, but this is my journey. I have found, that most moms who love the Lord and love the Word, and Trust and Believe what He says, and still send their children to government daycare have not given their role alot of thought, are more concerned with what family or friends think, and have a huge desire for their children to experience what they did in school. I . Do not. And I was a Cheerleader, a Leader in General, in the Youth Group, in Varsity Sports, Homecoming Queen. Like Paul, I count it as rags before the Lord.

So the question came to Private School – and I was given a long list of verses – into my heart – that told me what my role was as parent. A list of those verses are in the link at the end. So many people have spoke of them, I’ll let you search it out.

So then for Petra School – I asked the boys what they would like our school named. They said Rock School. Since they were 3 and 6 and before they have been fascinated by rocks. Hasn’t changed – just check in at our Beach Blog to see them going strong. They said – Rock School! I said, Sure. They were surprised, thinking I would turn them down, but we had a long discussion on Who the Rock is and all agreed that it was best! So – Petra School it became, and I, the Pebblekeeper.

Psalm 18:2
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
      my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
   He is my shield, the power that saves me,
      and my place of safety.

Luke 6: 48
It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.

Mathew 7: 24, 25
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

Now – 6 or more years later, it still fits. Building our lives on the Foundation of Christ. He being our constant corner stone. We have followed the direction of allowing Him full authority of our day, speech and actions.

Why do you homeschool? Why do you send your children away for Public or Private School? How involved are you in their biblical training? Do they need a bible at church? Do they know truth, or what you have told them? How active are you in the community? How loving and full of grace are you to others? How do they see your actions and decisions played out day by day and the consequences, good or bad? How do they see how to run a household? Develop Skills? Chase Curiosities? Long for training? Is Christ at the center? Why or Why Not?

A mentor of mine challenged me to write down our Mission, Verse, Goals. I did this when the boys were wee small. Every year I read through it again. I find myself on track. So – in a new town, when challenged by others to place the boys in Government DayCare to find friends, I remember, with passion, why I wouldn’t. When I feel guilty connection to a curriculum and want to quit, I remember that I’m not committed to curriculum but to Christ. When I feel as if I just can’t teach fractions and they won’t love reading – I remember that He said He’d do it. I’m a vessel. A participant. Not the Controller of All.

So – as we go through this journey into Junior High, Middle School, High School and beyond, I will remember – how we started this homeschool Journey. All the twists and turns of how we learn, will never outweigh the why. I trust my message will be clear. 🙂