Decisions, Decisions

I have many friends in the midst of deciding where to send their children to school next year.  It can feel like so much rides on the decision and so much can go awry if we make the wrong choice.

In January, my friend Misty* wrote a marvelous little post entitled Disappointment at Home: But What If They *Don't*.  It's written primarily to homeschoolers (specifically the moms) who are banking on certain results from that educational choice, but the overall gist of the post is for all parents and can apply to various situations in our lives.  Misty closes the post this way:

If you are homeschoooling or discipling your children a certain way because you’re expecting a guaranteed result, it might be a good idea to spend some time in prayer about that.  Because there are no guarantees but one: if you are educating and discipling and training your children at home because God told you to, then when you stand before Him, you can say “I educated and discipled and trained my children at home, because You told me to.”  And He will say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.”

And that will be enough.

If you're one of those in the midst of school decisions.  Seek the Lord.  If He's given you many options and it's not completely clear which is "right," choose one ... and commit to loving and serving God there, whether you keep your kids home or send them to school.  The Sovereign Lord will see your children (and you!) through school, wherever they are, and has so much more in mind for them than I'm sure we can even imagine!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart  

   and lean not on your own understanding;  

in all your ways acknowledge him,  

   and he will make your paths straight.

Let me know if I can pray for you as you decide.  It would be a privilege.

*Misty and I met in Colorado at a training conference in the home of Sally Clarkson two summers ago.  She has a heart for moms and families and writes to encourage those involved in that sometimes delightful, sometimes messy business.  You can learn more about her on her blog!