Keeping a Kingdom Perspective
by heidi st.john 

Dear Jay and Heidi,

 
It's August!  For many of you reading this, August means the end to "unstructured" free time, and for some of you, the closing months of summer mean you better get your game on and figure out what to do for school this fall! 

Personally, I have always waited until the last minute (I know I know, but I function well under pressure).  No matter how you look at it, we're all different.  God has given us different gifts and abilities that He wants us to use for His glory as we move about His business here on this earth. 

His business.  When it's all said and done, that's what this life is all about.  Recently, I had to ask myself if I really had a kingdom perspective.  A kingdom perspective requires that we let go of our agenda.   It requires that be unwaveringly focused on His call in our life, recognizing that with all our faults and frailties, God wants to use us in spite of ourselves.  There is no moral superiority in obeying God's call on our lives. We would be foolish to do anything else.  Having a Kingdom perspective means that we must use everything, even the things that cause us pain, for His glory. 

This summer, when we were speaking at a homeschool conference in Kansas City, I was privileged to meet a young mom named Maggi Pivovar.  Just a year and a half ago,  Maggi was a homeschool mom  like many of you.  Then, the unthinkable happened.

Last April, in the middle of the night, Maggi's legs became ice cold.  She woke up her husband, who was horrified to see bright red splotches all over her arms, face and abdomen.

An emergency room physician told John Pivovar to rush their four young boys to their mother's bedside, that she didn't have long to live.  Maggi had bacterial meningitis.

In just 22 hours, she went from having flu-like symptoms to experiencing full organ failure.   A priest delivered last rites and then something happened.  "I just realized when I woke up that a lot of days had passed," Maggi said.

Against all odds, she not only survived bacterial meningitis, but her arms and fingers healed. Tests revealed her hearing, sight and brain function -- often lost to the disease -- were fine, but doctors could not save her legs.

I stood in the back of the room and listened as this beautiful young mother explained how she "walked through the valley of the shadow of death."  Her honesty and transparency moved me to tears.  You could have heard a pin drop.

 "I wanted to make a list for you today of the top ten reasons why titanium legs are better than real ones, " she said, "but, I could only come up with four.  First..." and she went on to make us all feel better about the fact that we had our legs.   Maggi's smile and obvious joy touched me deeply.  This is a girl who knows Jesus - who identifies with suffering, and who is acquainted with grief.  And still - Maggi has been able to keep (though not at all easy, she will admit) a kingdom perspective.

One thing that struck me was the struggle Maggi faced in taking her children, who had been homeschooled, and enrolling them in a local Christian school because she needed time to recuperate, and to adjust to life as a double amputee.  She wrestled with the Lord, even to the point of sobbing, many times before she just said, "Here."  And handed Him control of her children's education.  God provided in miraculous ways for her older ones to go to a Christian school, and last I heard, God was showing Himself faithful right down to the provision of tuition for the boys.

Maggi, if you're reading this - I want to be like you when I grow up!  You have reminded me that spiritual maturity is a matter of work and accountability - and that no matter what - there can be no "plateauing" in the Christian life.   We're either growing as Christians, or we're regressing.   This life is but a vapor - our goal should be to run the race with endurance - and to hear the Father say, "Well done".

You  have also reminded me that homeschooling, while it's a wonderful thing, is not "the answer".  JESUS is the the answer.  Only Jesus can heal a broken heart, restore a friendship, save a failing marriage, give a lonely homeschool mom the strength she needs to start a new school year and  restore joy to a mom who previously found her joy running on the baseball field with her boys.

Jesus wants us to keep a kingdom perspective.  As you look around at your children, at your friends and at your calling as a homeschool parent, ask yourself if you are looking at your life through the lens of eternity.  As you head into a new school year, ask God what He wants you to focus on in your life.  What does He want you to lay down for the sake of His Kingdom?

Perhaps he wants you to lay down your pride in homeschooling.  Maybe He wants you to stop being so worried about curriculum and focus more on character.  Only when we focus our attention on Him, does homeschooling come into it's proper focus, too.


Heidi St. John
  

Jay and Heidi St. John have been married for almost 19 years and are the homeschooling parents of six children who range in age from sixteen to three.  Heidi speaks to mothers with humor and grace on many subjects dealing with homeschooling.  If you are interested in having the St. Johns speak at your event, please contact them through FCHM.

The Value of Homeschool Conventions

Part 2 of 2 

"Awesome" is also how Scott Adams describes his first convention trip to the North Carolina Convention last year. Scott has four small children, but the concept of homeschooling is one that is fairly new to him - an idea that he at first greeted with skepticism. "I was surprised by the attendance. It was amazing seeing all those families there and there were far more men there than I expected. It really changed my view of homeschooling. It is one thing to hear about the numbers of families that are doing it; it is another to actually see them gathered together!"

The Encouragement Factor

Fearful new homeschoolers as well as veterans near the end of their journey are both in desperate need of encouragement. A homeschool convention with powerful and motivating speakers provides enough encouragement for both. New homeschoolers come away feeling like they can actually accomplish what they are setting out to do and veterans are given the precious fuel they need to continue on the journey.

Kim Roper, Events Director for the California Home Educator's Association (CHEA), explained how conventions benefit both veterans and newcomers to the homeschool community: "Newcomers often reignite the passion for homeschooling in seasoned veterans. The veterans, in turn, often give timely wisdom and understanding to new home educators who may be discouraged."

The Camaraderie Factor 

No one among us likes the feeling of being alone in our convictions. The homeschool convention provides an atmosphere of camaraderie by sharing with large numbers of families the strong conviction to provide for our own children's educational needs. It is revitalizing when we realize that we are not in this journey alone.

In addition, homeschool conventions are a great place to gather with others and discuss the successes and the failures of the past year. Learning that someone else is having the same problem is almost as beneficial as actually finding a solution! Since many homeschool parents have little support from family or community, this is especially important.

"It comes down to support," explained Kim Roper. "The Scriptures tell us, in Hebrews 10:23-25, that we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, but that we should encourage one another. Obviously, Paul is talking about attending church in this passage, but I believe the principle also applies to home educators. We can be an independent lot and often forget that we can't do this alone!"

The Convenience Factor

So many product catalogs come in the mail and you have so little time to read them! At a convention, large numbers of homeschool vendors are represented and the opportunity to actually see their wares is a great advantage over merely reading about them. Vendor workshops often add the ability to learn how to use the products effectively in your own homeschool.

"For vendors, the greatest part of attending conventions is meeting the people," said Christi Patterson, Events Coordinator of Alpha Omega. "Having the time to hear their stories and helping them to find the perfect product for their students is a great benefit. The face-to-face interaction that we have at conventions is unparalleled. We have customers that specifically call and ask for reps that they met at conventions because of the bond they formed in that little time together."

The Economic Factor

Though there are costs associated with attending a convention, there are pay-offs as well. You will have the ability to compare products and prices. You can ask others for recommendations and advice that may help you avoid costly mistakes. In addition, some vendors offer special discounts at conventions.

We introduce many new items at conventions and super discounts are available," explained Tina Tatum, the owner of Discount Homeschool Supplies. "It is also our best time to offer free shipping and discounts for local orders."

However, some vendors have a different approach; it's an approach that they feel will also benefit customers economically in the end. "Sonlight Curriculum does not offer special pricing at conventions because we provide special pricing and benefits to all customers all year long," explained Janice Hammersmith, Sonlight's Curriculum Consultant Coordinator. "Choosing the right homeschool curriculum for your family is a very big decision that takes time and research, and we do not want customers to feel pressured to buy at a convention because they receive a special deal," Janice added. "We want homeschooling families to be able to take the necessary time to choose the best curriculum fit. If customers find the right curriculum the first time they purchase, they won't have to deal with the headaches of finding another curriculum in the future and returning the curriculum that didn't work."

The Spiritual Factor

Oftentimes our hearts are convicted of a certain road to travel with our families, but our minds are not totally convinced. Conventions can bring the confirmation needed that you are definitely on the right road and that you really did hear God's voice in your decisions. Most conventions offer devotional workshops that serve to remind you that God is the Source from which everything you have to offer your family flows.

I think one of the most important reasons to attend a homeschool conference is that the Bible teaches, regarding salvation, that those with shallow roots would not flourish," explains Melonie Young, whose husband serves as President of NCHE. "I think this is true of homeschooling as well."

Over the years, the families that I have seen succeed at homeschooling are those with deep roots - a strong spiritual and philosophical basis for their homeschooling," she added. "Convention is where you get that! Convention is like a spiritual retreat where you can get away from the everyday cares of homeschooling and focus on why you are doing this-and how you can do it better. The roots that you will grow in response to the speakers and fellowship will help you weather the storms of poor health, financial difficulties, struggling learners, and unsupportive family."

The Connection Factor

Conventions are a perfect environment for renewing old connections or for connecting with groups or organizations that will help you on your journey. Memberships to national organizations as well as local organizations are made available. You are given the opportunity to reconnect with acquaintances or vendors and ask the questions that have been burning in your mind all year. Staying connected can give you the strength and support needed to keep going.

Conventions also give you the chance to evaluate organizations such as HLSDA and your state homeschool organizations to see if they will help your own family stay as connected as it should be. "I was skeptical at first about the need to join my state organization," said convention attendee Lynn Adams. Adams, who is homeschooling for the first time this year, attended her first convention in 2003. "But when I saw all that my state organization did, all the services they offered in keeping me informed, I decided that I wanted to be a part of that."

The Thinking Factor

Speakers are a big part of this equation. Homeschool conventions often gather the best and brightest stars of the homeschool community who share wonderful ideas, provoke thoughtful discussions, and make themselves available for consultation. "Our speakers care about those who come to the convention," said Muffy Amico, the Convention Coordinator for FPEA. "They give of their time, talent, and resources to help encourage the attendees in this journey of homeschooling."

The Fun Factor

Homeschool conventions can be a time of laughter and fun as we reconnect with friends and share experiences - some wonderful, some disastrous, and some hilarious. Many conventions offer planned activities for the children or workshops for teens, giving the moms and dads time to shop or attend much-needed workshops or seminars themselves. Some also offer family nights where everyone is invited for an entertaining evening. Speakers and workshop leaders know first-hand the many tears and trials we go through as homeschoolers. Therefore, they are often down-to-earth and funny and can actually relate to what it takes to travel this road.

So by now, maybe you are thinking that you should look up the homeschool convention in your state and check out the possibilities. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and the homeschool convention could just be the source of inspiration and encouragement that you need. Despite the cost and travel involved, you will likely return home as a better-equipped parent. As homeschool mom Lynn Adams explained, "We all need encouragement, guidance, and ideas. Homeschool conventions have all that."

Dr. Samuel Blumenfeld, renowned author and homeschool conference speaker wrote an article entitled "The Boom in Homeschool Conventions," in which he summed up their benefits this way: "I could write a book about these wonderful homeschool conventions, the families that attend them, and the fabulous entrepreneurs who offer their products to parents who truly care about their children's well-being and happiness. If you want to see the beautiful benefits of educational freedom, go to a homeschool convention. You'll love it!"

Deborah Wuehler is the chief contributing writer for Chapel, and Devotional Door e-Newsletter creator. She resides in Roseville, California, with her husband Richard and their six gifts from heaven. She loves digging for buried treasure in the Word, reading, writing, homeschooling, and dark chocolate. Email her at dwuehler@surewest.net.