As Natural as Breathing

 

  As I've been praying and planning our curriculum to use for, not only next year, but for the rest of this year, I've had a few standards that the different curriculum I looked at had to meet.  The main one is that it must be God-honoring.

Often, on different forums, I read of Christian parents searching for curriculum to homeschool their children that is "as secular as possible".  I've read that parents want to "keep education separate from religion".  When I read these things from Christian families, I get a little sad.  It feels to me that people believe as atheists, that secular is better than Christian.

The reasons for homeschooling are vast, even among Christians.  I don't mean this as an attack in any way.  I know that many homeschoolers use secular materials for their own reasons.  Some want or need the economic benefit of a free curriculum.  Others want the accreditation that goes with a secular program.  A friend of mine used a secular program because she was only homeschooling temporarily while her daughter was going through a tough time.  After a semester, the girl went back to public school.  A couple of friends use secular programs with their children because they homeschool for safety reasons.  Their child was being bullied at school and it wasn't being handled properly.  

Homeschooling wasn't simply a decision my husband and I made as simply an educational choice.  Instead, it was a calling from God.  I fought God on it at first, not out of disobedience but out of fear.  My husband had to pray about this decision.  There are still moments when we wonder if we are crazy for homeschooling these children, but we keep pushing forward.

Now, God-honoring doesn't mean that we can't use a product that isn't Christian.  It is just that my choices are usually guided by prayer and serve a purpose.  I have delved into several different curriculum choices.  The math I am currently using for one of my girls isn't a Christian choice, but it is very good.  My 5 year old and I have read many, many books this year from the library.  They usually aren't Christian, but there aren't things in them that I would object to, like wizards and witches.  We do have some decidedly Christian books mixed in, however.  We daily read Bible stories, devotionals, and Christian-published science and history books.  

I also picked a phonics program that is secular.  I mostly did this because the Christian programs were so expensive.  I also liked the DVD lessons and computer games that came with the program.  However, Megan reads all sorts of books as she learns to read.  I have picked up Christian readers here and there to supplement.  

I guess my point is that, the foundation of our homeschool is decidedly Christian.  I will use secular materials, but not because they are secular, just because they fill a purpose.  I can't imagine choosing materials that teach the opposite of what I want my children to know.  (This does NOT mean that I refuse to teach my children evolution.  I just refuse to teach it as fact!)  I don't homeschool to just get my children out of the public school system.  I don't homeschool with the intention of ever sending them back to public school. I don't homeschool with the goal of giving my kids a top-notch secular education so that they can compete with their public school peers on college entrance exams.  I believe my children will be academically solid.  If God leads them to college, they will still receive a solid score on college entrance exams because I don't believe we have to sacrifice quality for Christianity.

Even when it is a sacrifice, I don't mind paying for quality Christian materials.  There are free, secular options out there, but they don't meet the goals God placed in our school.  If they meet the goals of others, that is fine.  God directed me down a certain path with my children for a reason.  It isn't always easy or the shortest route.  In fact, often it is difficult.  And yet, when the light bulb goes off in my children, and a spiritual connection is made, when God reveals Himself to my children in their history or science lesson, or in Bible Time, it is SO powerful!  It makes the joy of learning a difficult math concept or enjoying a fun story pale in comparison. This is the path God has chosen for us.  Following the direction of Christ, for us, is as natural as breathing.