The Pressure to Conform

I watch my little four year old girl as she goes happily through her day.  She's wearing a pretty princess dress.  She  is singing and playing with no cares, no pressures.  She is just who God made her to be.

I realize that, if God allows, she will be the only child I have to never attend public school.  My 5th grader went to school until the first few months of 3rd grade.  Even though she will hopefully be homeschooled through high school, she did go to public school.  She did, at one time, feel that pressure to fit in.

I don't necessarily want my children to "fit in".  I understand the pressure to fit in.  I know that, by homeschooling, my kids won't be bombarded daily with the pressure to be like everyone else.  On the other hand, homeschooling already makes them feel different when they are around other children their age... like in Kid's Church.  So far it hasn't made any difference in how they relate or whether they have friends.  One day I believe it will.  I don't think it will be because they are homeschooled.  I think the differences will be because they are Christian.

I have had to ask myself if I am preparing them to be different.  Am I preparing them for the times when they feel the pressure to conform to their peers?   I am hoping that, by being away from many of the pressures, they will form their love for Christ without the intensity of the competing pressures to live for the world that accompany public school.    I want my girls know that it is good to not fit in if fitting in means not living to honor Christ.  I would like, when my daughters are young women, for them to be living for Christ and in love with him

When I see my happy, light-hearted little Megan, I hope she will always have the same light about her.  I hope she will continue to be excited to learn about God.  I pray the God will protect her and all my girls and lead them in a closer relationship with Him, our King.