Homeschooling Anyway

“We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles to be lit.” Robert H. Shaffer

For me, the next few months are going to be a time of great introspection. Why? Because the month of March will be bringing with it two big milestones: my oldest son’s 18th birthday and my 40th.

How I’ll feel about my 40th birthday is another subject (and blog post) entirely, but what’s really been feeling like a cold wake-up call is the looming event of my child entering adulthood.

It’s raised many questions for me, with these among them:

Have I done enough to show Christ to my children? (Sadly, I don’t think I have.)

Will I still be able to influence his life for the better once he’s past childhood?

As the quote says above, did I see him as an empty bottle to be filled or as a candle to be lit? How does he think I saw him?

If asked about his childhood in the coming years, will his replies be positive or negative? Will he rise up and call me blessed, or hesitate?

These are all honest questions. As a fallible human being who’s made plenty of mistakes, I can’t help but ask them. But while I know I’ve messed up (often), and haven’t quite been the godly or even positive example I had hoped to be, I’m going to focus on the fact that I still have time with him, along with these things:

He’s a believer in Jesus, and has a true servant’s heart.

Though we as a family have had our share of trials, there’s been a lot of quality time spent together over these past almost-18 years.

I know that none of my kids will ever doubt that I love them.

He loves his mama. I know this because of the many impromptu hugs he gives me. I’m guessing that’s a good sign.

We’ve had many goofy, laugh-out-loud moments. I treasure those.

If you’re like me, facing the end of your child’s “minor” years, join me in focusing on the positive and good things, not the mistakes you’ve made — perceived or otherwise.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. I Peter 4:8

How true that is!

©2010 Sally Dinius
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