It is not the day when the wolf will live with the lamb, yet

I was over at Simple Homeschool reading a post by Sarah about homeschool critics and our responses.  It was quite interesting, and I don't necessarily disagree with most of what she wrote.  I shared a comment about my struggle with this issue as a single parent and a link to my declaration of why I have chosen to homeschool.

When you make a declaration this clear and concise you should expect a comment like this: 

"I understand your choice works for *YOU and YOURS*. By what you type,
it seems as if you are saying that no Bible-believing Christian should
send their child to public school. While our children may face
temptation there, don't you also think they can be a light to others? I
think Christian children in our public school system can be a powerful
witness. My own husband brought others to Christ with his public high
school interactions with others. I'm just asking, don't be so quick to
dismiss other educational choices for Christians."  Mara

I'm overjoyed to share my reply in a thoughtful, gracious manner, and with the right seasoning.

I clearly state in my declaration, "In public schools my son is compelled to interact with 'strange children' who do not have the same biblical priorities that he does.  Without meaning to do so, these other children expose him to wickedness that he is not equipped to handle."

My son is still in elementary school grade and completely unable to handle situations where he would need to defend his spiritual beliefs with other students, or teachers who would have authority over him.  There may come a time (in high school) where this won't be an issue, but for now I take comfort that my little lamb is protected from the wolves.

I do believe that "Bible-believing Christians" do their children a disfavor by sending them off to play and learn with the carnivorous wolves who are being taught by parents and society to devour their very kind.  Sure a wolf pup is just as cute as a lamb, but that doesn't mean I want them getting too comfortable with each others company.  In this world one is a predator and the other prey.  The reality is we don't live in the Garden of Eden. 

Evil is prevalent, and we have no business asking our children go to battle at such a young age.  Compromises are being made in textbooks, in the descriptions of a God-intended family unit, and what some would call necessary tolerance.  There may be many "Bible-believing Christians" with children in public school, but Bible-living Christians are becoming the minority.

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 John 2:16-17  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of
the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he
that doeth the will of God abideth forever.

I have no tolerance for public school textbooks slanted towards evolution and natural selection as truth and not theory.  I have no tolerance for a system that believes the Ten Commandments does not apply in today's "politically correct" society.  I will not support an entity that tries to undermine parental rights in any way.

There are those rare and unique children whose lights are beacons.  My son's light, and maybe your child's, might not be strong enough to overcome what the world would throw at them.  Do you really want their light snuffed out because you were hoping they could be a witness to the world?  Sorry, but I'm just not willing to take that chance.

Psalms 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

I've been given an awesome responsibility raising my son.  I will teach him to fear the Lord by example.  I will trust in God to guide me.  For we all stand alone on the day of judgement.

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