I'd be Lyin' If I Didn't Tell You About the Lion

It is easy to assume that if you homeschool your kids, teaching them all things from a faithfully Biblical point of view, everyone will live happily ever after and they will grow up actively serving and praising the Lord. As many who've traveled this path before can tell you, that just isn't always the case. Sometimes they stray from the path you've guided them on and there is much heartache that ensues. God instructs us, though, to be faithful and states that He will determine the results. That's why homeschooling would be an impossibly insane activity without receiving and living by the doctrine of the Sovereignty of God. Not only does the Lord promise that His purposes will be accomplished, He walks beside us to comfort us on our journey.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Without this undergirding, I seriously doubt that I would be an active home educator after 25 years and still eager and ready to help those just starting out.

Along with this portion of Scripture, there is a warning in 1 Peter 5:8 that we need to heed for ourselves and alert our children about: the ever present reality of the battle for their souls.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour...

This enemy waits for openings, and if the homeschooling parent allows ungodly, disrespectful attitudes to go by unchallenged, that roaring lion is ever-ready to come in and encourage these and other sins against God. But, even if all things are done by the Book, there is still the reality that some children consummately reject the teachings of their parents and walk in paths they've been warned against. However, difficult it is to accept, we don't make Christians; the Holy Spirit does.

Lest anyone be faint of heart and determine that this homeschooling task is beyond them and their capabilities, let me remind you of another Lion referenced in Revelation 5:5. This is He who is the King of kings and Lord of lords. The same One who came to earth to do for us what we were unable to do for ourselves. If He was capable and ready to redeem us from sin, will He not also be with us as we labor for the hearts and souls of our children? You see, I'd be lyin' if I didn't tell you about this other Lion!