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The Christian Compass

  • Jenefer Igarashi Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
  • Published Aug 28, 2009
The Christian Compass


Lessons are everywhere, and the longer I homeschool my kids the more I realize that there are opportunities in almost every school subject to teach deeper knowledge. As a Christian, I have seen first hand how all things point back to the Creator and can be used to accomplish my main and first priority --instructing my children in the way of the Lord and establishing a firm foundation of knowledge.  And with this foundation it is my prayer that (God-willing) as they grow older they will make decisions for Christ
and develop a great love and relationship with Him as their Savior.
 
One of the earlier lessons came during a history/geography lesson.  We were studying Christopher Columbus, where he came from, his love of ships and exploration, and how the Queen Isabella of Spain agreed to finance his trip.  We were tracing his route, very simply, using a map and seeing where he started and where he landed.  The lesson turned to navigation and how he had to plot out his own route to India because there was not a map for him to follow.  Can you even imagine that?  How incredibly difficult!  What faith he must have had!  How could he have done that?

In the past, and even now, compasses and star patterns are relied upon to show us where we are and in what direction we are heading.  In our lesson, we talked about how people must have a compass, or some physical point of reference, otherwise they would end up traveling in circles.  Many people have died in the wilderness or forests, walking endlessly, yet getting no-where. 

To emphasize this point I took my children outside with a large piece of pink sidewalk chalk and a blindfold.  On the sidewalk I chalked out a straight line about 50 ft long.  Then I made a little wager with them.  I said if any of them could walk straight down that pink line blindfolded and end up with even one foot still on the chalk, then I would give them $20.  After assuring them that I was serious and would honor our little bet, you can imagine the whoops and hollers that ensued.  They began slapping each other on the back, all grins, and making plans how to spend this easy cash.  But to their dismay, one after the other, try after try, not one could walk that straight line blindfolded.  It was impossible. They were all so sure they could do it.  They kept begging for just one more try until finally coming to the realization that it was futile. 

We went back inside and I opened my bible to Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."  Jesus the Messiah, The Son of God and the only Savior who can cleanse us of our sins and lead us to heaven, said in the book of Mathew (8:12), "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life".  We need Him desperately.  The bible is how he speaks and leads us.  As Christians, it is our compass. 

As our children's teachers we are responsible to give them all the tools and skills they will need to succeed in life.  If my child becomes a doctor and saves thousands of lives, or becomes the U.S. President, or a hardworking man who gives 100 percent in any job he does - if he succeeds in any of these things yet does not know God or make it into heaven then all of my teaching was in vain.  I cannot make the "salvation decision" for him, but I will teach him - foremost - REAL life lessons, and that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" 

As a home schooling mom I have the greatest opportunity in the world.  I pray that my schooling and daily life would not wander in circles, but rather be led forward and upward as all of us, together, learn more and more of His great love for us and grow to
know him better.


Jenefer Igarashi lives in East TN with her husband, Geoff the Great; together they homeschool their six kids on a little farm.  She can be contacted by email, Jeneferig@gmail.com, or thru her blog, http://Jeneralities.com