A Mental "Reset" Button
Monday morning dawned afresh with a cool wind, glistening sunshine, and a ray of hope. All seven of us enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and then everyone migrated to various places in the house. Drew sat in the wingback chair and I sat on the couch. With baited breath I asked him how he felt about the prior day's activity. He confessed his desires to be able to participate in the graduation exercises. There was a sense of losing out on a normal part of life's drama and the public recognition that goes with it. I empathized with him.

I had attended a private Christian school from sixth grade through twelfth. When all of my friends and relatives were enjoying band camps, orchestra, sports programs, Show Choir, Driver's Ed., French Club, Yearbook Club, dramas, and an endless array of exciting field trips, I had chapel every week and got to play the piano for opening assembly. To me, my life seemed pale and boring. Through the eyes of my home-educated children, however, I was a world traveler. Nevertheless, I understood what Drew felt as he sat in the auditorium that Sunday afternoon and watched many of his friends walk across a stage, have their name announced to the world, hear the applause of the multitudes, and then witness 130 graduates toss their caps into the air and shout for joy. For a while I wanted him to be there too.

One week later, I still feel homeschooling is worth more than a few hours of public ceremony or a few fun clubs or amazing field trips. Like Moses, I would rather suffer this affliction (if that's what you want to call my temporary feeling) with my own family than enjoy the passing pleasures of Egypt. I believe that God gives grace, protection, and mercy to government educated parents and their children as well as the homeschooled; nevertheless, if I had to do it all over again, I would still stand by my original decision.

Nothing can compare to waking up with my children, reading to them, praying with them, talking with them, helping them, testing them, working with them, laughing with them, crying with them, and enjoying them along with my wife--everyday--all day! The same faith my wife and I had when we began this work, keeps me believing that it will be worth all the tears, struggles, and temporary regrets we have felt.

Has homeschooling ruined my son's life? No. Not anymore than it would ruin the young student who doesn't make the ball team or the cheerleading squad or the teenager who doesn't have a date for the prom. Every life has its disappointments. You use the "down time" to evaluate your decisions and motives and then you determine to learn from them and handle them with dignity.

Last Sunday night after church a man came up to me and said, "I'm so proud of you and your son, Drew. A lot of kids who are raised in church seem to live two separate lives. They live one way when they are around church folk and another way around their friends. Not Drew. He's as much of a Christian when he thinks no one is looking as he is when he is in God's house or yours. You've raised a good young man." A few days later I passed the compliment on to my son. Soon afterward I realized that all the praise and glory of a high school graduation service could never compare to the thunderous applause of God or hearing His "Well done." I have faith to believe that someday--very soon-- Drew will understand also.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans8:18).

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Timothy Palla is Pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Minford, Ohio. He and his lovely wife, Jennifer, homeschool their five children; Drew, Dane, Aidan, Ethan, and Meghan. You may contact him at tpalla@rocketmail.com.