SCM with Truthquest Commentary

Christie.  I know how you like to have all the details ironed out.  In advance.  For the foreseeable future.  Sometimes, however, the Spirit does not work that way.  I am going to recommend that you take a big, deep breath.  Then that you calmly try to write out pros and cons lists for the way you had already planned, AND for the way you are thinking of changing.  Then I think you should pray over it, ask for guidance, put it away for a few days and move on to doing something else.  Let it percolate.  Give yourself some time to hear guidance.  Don’t pick the issue back up until you no longer want to run and hide.  🙂  I hope that this will help you to see more clearly and feel more sure of identifying where you are supposed to go.  “But if not,”  🙂  I have to tell you–this is one issue that the Lord used to teach me to learn to walk in the dark.  You don’t even have your kids at high school level yet.  There is SO much that is going to change between now and then.  It won’t be just your kids now, only taller.  There will be BIG differences and you can’t see now what they are.  They might have passions and interests that will help you determine what to do.  Their skills will be different.  It will be quite possible for them to mostly learn on their own and still discuss a lot with you.  Or maybe some great thing is coming that will solve all your problems that you’ll want to switch to.  I don’t know–and neither do you.  Hypothetical “What will I do in eight years” can drive you nuts.  That’s not what the Lord wants.  He has a nice peaceful garden for you to walk in–but there’s an admission fee–trust.  I hope that the process I outlined above will help.  But it’s possible it won’t.  None of us can really tell you what YOU ought to do.  The Lord can–but you need to spend some time listening for Him–and He may prefer to lead you along while shining only a little light on the path.  (Good time to sing Lead, Kindly Light.) 

Hugs–I know this is hard because I have done this every few years for my homeschooling “life.” 

Michelle D

Christie, it’s easy to diagnose a condition when you have it yourself.    My family calls it “spinning.”  I go over and over and over something, to anyone who will listen—“I could do this, but then this would happen in junior year and  . . . .maybe I could do this instead . . . but then they won’t be together”–I have totally done this.  I have many, many sheets of paper I’ve covered with possible schedules and combinations and ideas . . . and now here I am, still planning what my middle son will do for history in September.  LOL  I don’t even know how many times I’ve changed my mind, and that’s just for history.  So I totally understand, AND I still think planning is good–I still do it!  But it seemed to me you might be heading to “spinning” territory, and since I’m a recovering “spinner”–LOL  Maybe we need a 12 Steps group. 

You are so good at this already (LOOK at all the detailed work you’ve already done already to give your kids a great education!) that I am confident if you shear away some of the anxiety you’ll be able to hear and get it figured out.  I do have to say–often, if I am contemplating making a move in one direction, if I just get “static” back–if I feel very confused and just can’t see how the change I am making is going to work–if I feel disturbed and confused, if I back away a bit until I feel calmer, it works better.  It seems to me to be perhaps a way to communicate to me that I need to wait (which I rarely like to hear, lol).  I also would like to have it all figured out  NOW.  In fact, one day recently I found myself arguing with myself over which curriculum my GRANDCHILDREN should use—-and I don’t even have any yet!!!!!!!!!  Ack.  Find the solid ground, wait until you are calm, objectively look at the changes you are contemplating–and you’ll know what to do.  You are already doing a terrific job.

This reminds me of an excerpt from The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom (as a little girl she was exposed to death and was afraid):

Father sat down at the edge of the narrow bed. “Corrie,” he began gently, “when you and I go to Amsterdam – when do I give you your ticket?”

I sniffed a few times, considering this.

“Why, just before we get on the train.”

“Exactly. And our wise Father in heaven knows when we’re going to need things, too. Don’t run out ahead of Him, Corrie. When the time comes that some of us will have to die, you will look into your heart and you will find the strength you need – just in time.”

(last page in Chapter 2)

The Lord will give you the strength, the discussions, the ideas, and the resources your homeschool needs…just in time.

Janell and Christie, I love your posts on corrie ten boom. I have been desperately trying to find summer reading for my 15 year old daughter and y’all have led me right to it. And I think I will join her. This would be a great reread for me as I read it years ago as a young person. I have also had it placed on my heart for my daughter and me to run together. 🙂 as I pull her out of PS this year she is having to forego running on a very successful XC team. She is not happy about giving up her running buddies but I am hoping that we can develop a mother/daughter bond that will be lasting. I would love prayers that God would work in this area of our lives.

Christie-I did not realize you were struggling physically. My prayers go up for you and I commend you on your dedication! You have helped me a lot as I have read your comments to my posts as well as to others posts. Thank you so much!

Binky