I recently went to hang out with a friend at the local college while her children completed mandatory competency testing to renew their homeschool funding. When I arrived, I was delighted to meet another local homeschool mom who was there for the same reason. We shot the breeze for awhile and talked about normal mom things: willful children, crockpot recipes, the joys of grocery delivery…
It is far better to be “unclean” and wrapped in Christ’s robes of righteousness than to be “clean” but covered in the bloody rags of self-righteousness when He judges all people for the deeds they have done.
I was homeschooled and I'm grateful for it, but I completely get this. I'm in my mid twenties and still not entirely comfortable stepping outside of my bubble. Some of this is awkwardness that I likely would have had whatever my upbringing (mild ADHD), other things are a definite result of being sheltered. My parents agree that they probably hid from the world a bit much and should have taken more opportunities to do things out in the world.
When, God willing, I have children of my own, I'll likely homeschool them, but I'll also be trying to raise them to have compassion and grace and actually be in the world loving people. (My current trajectory might end up with them being missionary kids which would add another level of complication, but I'm at least as likely to end up a single missionary.)
This is a wonderful article! I think every mom struggles with the comparison game but I’m with you-I’d rather my children can understand that Jesus loves them and everyone else in their brokenness and in their mountain to experiences. Sometimes the hardest people to deal with are the people “within” our Christian circle, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t meant to be outside in the world being salt and light.
I really appreciate this article. It is so hard to appreciate grace if you don't know the depth of your own sinfulness. You don't have to have lived a "sinful" life to know how sinful you are. You just need to see how righteous Jesus is to see how sinful you are. And his righteousness includes his grace to sinners like me. I too was raised sheltered as a preacher's kid. When I was 19 I prayed that God would show me my sinfulness. It was painful. (And He was gentle) The righteous Pharisees had trouble seeing their own sin. (so did I) But sin is sin and all of it is ugly... and all of it is redeemed.
"But there’s also something beautiful about clothing yourself in Christ’s spotlessness and refusing to be defined by the sins He no longer holds against you." - Thank you for this reminder.
It is far better to be “unclean” and wrapped in Christ’s robes of righteousness than to be “clean” but covered in the bloody rags of self-righteousness when He judges all people for the deeds they have done.
I was homeschooled and I'm grateful for it, but I completely get this. I'm in my mid twenties and still not entirely comfortable stepping outside of my bubble. Some of this is awkwardness that I likely would have had whatever my upbringing (mild ADHD), other things are a definite result of being sheltered. My parents agree that they probably hid from the world a bit much and should have taken more opportunities to do things out in the world.
When, God willing, I have children of my own, I'll likely homeschool them, but I'll also be trying to raise them to have compassion and grace and actually be in the world loving people. (My current trajectory might end up with them being missionary kids which would add another level of complication, but I'm at least as likely to end up a single missionary.)
Well done momma
I’m not a Christian or a parent. But I think this is a most wonderful and moving article. You’re definitely onto something here. Thank you!
This is a wonderful article! I think every mom struggles with the comparison game but I’m with you-I’d rather my children can understand that Jesus loves them and everyone else in their brokenness and in their mountain to experiences. Sometimes the hardest people to deal with are the people “within” our Christian circle, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t meant to be outside in the world being salt and light.
I really appreciate this article. It is so hard to appreciate grace if you don't know the depth of your own sinfulness. You don't have to have lived a "sinful" life to know how sinful you are. You just need to see how righteous Jesus is to see how sinful you are. And his righteousness includes his grace to sinners like me. I too was raised sheltered as a preacher's kid. When I was 19 I prayed that God would show me my sinfulness. It was painful. (And He was gentle) The righteous Pharisees had trouble seeing their own sin. (so did I) But sin is sin and all of it is ugly... and all of it is redeemed.
"But there’s also something beautiful about clothing yourself in Christ’s spotlessness and refusing to be defined by the sins He no longer holds against you." - Thank you for this reminder.