Never Say Never
I hate that. I WOULD never do that. I COULD never do that.
In a regular part of my former daily vocabulary I would utter statements such as these. They still sneak their way back in from time to time, but I ‘ve learned better over the years. As a homeschool mom, I regularly hear the comment…I COULD NEVER DO THAT. You know the one, complete with the head tilted sideways and the glance of shock meets your insane – meets I have pity for you. I get it far less now then I used to, when I began homeschooling. Perhaps, I just notice it less. However, just this past Sunday, I was introduced to a woman at church and upon finding out I home schooled my F O U R children she literally gasped and said, “I could never do that.” I politely said. “I used to think that too.” All the while my heart whispered, “Oh, do be careful what you say.”
I used to fight my husband every time he had the nerve to suggest Chevy’s as an eat out option. I didn’t like it, although I had never been there. It’s now one of my favorites and a frequent birthday celebration spot for my family.
I used to swear my kids would always be dressed and put together just so. I would never be one of THOSE moms. This was taken (by me) in my FRONT yard in the middle of the day. Yesterday. Oh, how far I’ve come.
I used to say I could NEVER HOMESCHOOL. Then the Lord called us to do just that and I spent the year saying I would NEVER homeschool middle school. Then my child became a middle schooler and I spent the next year saying I will NEVER homeschool high school. I stopped talking like that last year. Now I say this classroom stays open until the Lord tells us otherwise.
The thing is, the Lord surprises us when our hearts least expect it. He truly knows us better than we know ourselves. He alone knows the bigger picture. He knows that Chevy’s makes the best chips on the planet, that all mom’s would have THOSE days, and that homeschooling fits my family and the hearts and souls of my children like Cinderella’s glass slipper.
I have doubts and fears about homeschooling from time to time and I am learning to regularly talk about them with my Savior instead of saying I can’t. The truth of the matter is I can. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Phil 4:13. When I take my fears to the foot of the cross they are quickly replaced with the reminder of what a good thing He has given us. One that I questioned, kicked and screamed over, and at times during my first year, resented. Once I gave in, waved the white flag, and said, “Jesus, show me,” He did. As the high school years loom in the very near future, I know that a grade level does not negate God’s ability to care for us. He will continue to direct, guide, and bless those years as well. It doesn’t matter if my children are five or fifteen. Jesus cares for them just the same. When I seek Him, the answers will come.
Whenever I doubt, I can look back on one of God’s biggest blessings in my life that I didn’t see coming. There were two teens who didn’t like each other. I mean a serious case of teenage unfounded snobbery. See the girl in the aqua and the boy in the white? We had one date and “hated” each other. God knew better than the both of us.
Look at us now.
This morning I sat with my seven-year old snuggled on my lap, hearing giggles straight from her belly as I read her The Very Hungry Caterpillar for the very first time. I was again hit with the enormity of the way our lives have changed since we began homeschooling our little and not so little ones. I am grateful that God knows what I need. I am grateful. Oh. So. Grateful. I am learning to live with my eyes wide open. Looking for the blessings that God has for me instead of living in fear and doubt and my human perspective. I don’t wanna miss a thing.
Great post!! I can relate on many levels, I just wish I would’ve been able to homeschool too. Being that I have a financial need to work Full time, I wasn’t able to homeschool.
Grisel
http://www.livinglife2itsfullest.com/
Thanks Grisel! I’m sorry that you were not able to homeschool, that is tough! Blessings to you today!
I cannot tell you how much I adore this post. I have related the “I would never home school” story to many friends. I said never just 18 mos before I decided it was best for my kids. Thanks for a wonderful reminder and making me laugh just knowing that someone else is there with me!
Yes, I am very careful to not say I would never…because I am pretty certain I am currently doing each one of those things! 🙂 I am absolutely right there with you! Have an awesome Monday, Savannah!
Thank you for this article! Really touched me. God Bless You!
Blessings to you Tamara! Have a beautiful and blessed Monday!
Amen! I think God isn’t impressed when we tell him what we can NOT do. Sometimes I think that’s the point–it’s what He CAN do, right? I always love your insights!
Absolutely Rikki! I completely agree with you and love how you put that. It is absolutely what HE can do! Thanks for coming over! I hope you have an awesome Monday, my friend!
This was delightful. You are a beautiful family. What an encouraging and fun way to start my day.
Thank you so much Anaise! Blessings to you today and I hope you have a beautiful Monday!
LOVE THIS!! Once again Darcy girl you brightened my morning. I too worry about teaching the middle and high school years. Love that you have to go through it first. HA! You have such a beautiful family!!!!! And Chevys . . . . I have yummy memories of that place!
AH hahahaha! I will go through it first and you can learn from all my mistakes! Praying for a beautiful and happy fun filled Monday for you and your girls. No Chevys in Montana COULD be a deal breaker! Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you so much for this awesome post!! I too am one of those that said “I could never homeschool my children”. Wasn’t it my job to raise them up to age 5 and then send them to school? Well the past few months I have answered God’s prompting on my heart and am going to be homeschooling our boys next year.
Wonderful post and so very true. I also said I would never homeschool and boy did God have other plans. Love reading about the blessings our sweet Jesus gives!
I think there are a lot of us that said we would never! Jesus’ blessings are definitely the best. I hope you have a great week, Pam. Thanks for your comments!
Congratulations Sasha on your decision to homeschool! It is so funny how it is so expected to raise them up and send them to school at 5! That’s “normal”. Prayers and Blessings as you begin your journey! It is so wonderful, scary, rewarding, taxing, and a HUGE blessing in my life. Best wishes! Have an awesome Monday!
Oh, Darcy, Darcy…
I always love what you have to say! Well-said, my friend! How fun to see the young Darcy and husband – very sweet! 🙂
Cara!!! Thanks my friend for coming over! xo
I often ponder how to respond when folks say this to me….at times it can make me seem like I am a supermom or something and yet homeschooling has revealed quite the opposite: so many failings. I do know that the Lord equips those He calls, and yet I don’t think that He calls everyone. I haven’t found a gracious response. I like yours, though, “I used to think that, too.”
I would completely agree that since homeschooling, I have been more aware of my failings then ever! The Lord definitely steps in all the time 🙂 Have a great rest of the week!
Beautiful pictures, beautiful family and beatiful post! I frequently crack up at the things I said I would never do and then turn around and I am doing it. I especially love the pic of your little one playing in jammies!! Too cute! When I try to live up to those first expectations no one is happy. But when I let go and realize the bigger picture – that it really does not matter if that child did not brush her hair before we left – life is a lot more pleasant.
Thank you Mindy! I definitely crack up often at all the things. WOW, there is a lot! 🙂 The bigger picture is hard to keep in view sometimes, but I so agree that we need to let go of the high expectations!!! We can only do so much 🙂 Have an awesome week!
Darcy – I love this post!! and all the fun photos.
Thanks my friend!!! xo
Oh I LOVE this article. I am told constantly the whole “I could never do that.”(I have 4 also plus two bonus girls that attend public.)I’m also told over and over “I just don’t know how you have the patience” I always laugh at that because my children are the ones that have taught me my patience!
Isn’t it funny how often people say that? Homeschooling must just scare the masses! 🙂 I hope you have an awesome week! Thanks for your comments!
Darcy,
We live parallel lives in many ways. Lovers of Jesus and our families. Two wonderful things to have in common. Although I believe I’m quite a bit older than you (47) and you have four children to my two. Your reference to those ubiquitous comments “I could never do that” made me smile. So true! So true! I, too, no longer “hear” those comments as much, likely because those who know me know that this is who I am.
I used to struggle with what to tell people when they ask me why I homeschool. There was really nothing I could say that wouldn’t offend someone because so many of the reasons we homeschool are directly related to where their children go to school. My stock answer is “it’s just the right thing for our family.” Every year we evaluate what we should do and let God take the lead.
I jumped onto your blog for a few minutes (it’s late here), and think it’s lovely. All my best to you. I’ll check in on it again sometime soon.
Love,
Laura
Hi Laura! Thanks for your comments! I will be heading over to say hi and read your blog! I like your answer about it being the right thing for you family! That’s a good one too! Have a great great weekend!!