As homeschooling moms, we know just how consuming this lifestyle can be. It isn’t something that can or should be done halfway. We must be 100% sold out to the education of our children every single day.
So what happens when it goes too far?
What happens when it consumes every fiber of your being?
What happens when homeschooling becomes an idol?
Signs that homeschooling has become an idol:
- Your happiness is found {or not found} in things related to your homeschool (accomplishments, grades, projects, etc) rather than God alone.
- You turn to homeschooling “experts” (blogs, books, people) before turning to God.
- Your worth is defined by who you are as a homeschool mom, not who you are in Christ.
- You’re so caught up in homeschooling (planning, coops, teaching, etc) that you have no time left for prayer, devotions, and time with God.
- When life interrupts your homeschool, you lose it.
- Homeschooling comes before your marriage.
- You’ve become self-righteous about your education choices. Judging and condemning others who have chosen a different path than you.
- Your homeschool is led and directed by you, rather than God.
- Your homeschooling day doesn’t start with God. Math and Language Arts are more important than Bible time. {You might not think so, but are your actions showing otherwise?}
- You’re ignoring nudges from the Holy Spirit to make changes in your homeschool.
Do any of these apply to you? I would be lying if I neglected to tell you how easy it was for me to write that list, mainly because most if not all of them directly apply to me.
So what can we do?
- Recognize that it all comes back to pride, and then repent.
- Realize that your children {and your homeschool} are God’s first, and hand the reigns back over.
- Seek God first. If we do this, we can’t go wrong. Everything else will fall into place if we only put Him at the center where He needs to be.
What are your thoughts? Can homeschooling become an idol? Is homeschooling becoming an idol for you?
Rebecca says
This is a fabulous post and can be applied to all areas of life. It all goes back to that First Commandment, don’t you think? If we place anything before God – before the Principles and Love that He gives us daily – it is an idol. period. some call it business, some call it love, some call it ‘rights’….. it doesn’t matter what ‘it’ is – the problem is that we are selfish by nature and tend to lean into the things we need the least into the one who desires to give us the most – that eternal perspective.
Cindy says
Thanks for the great blog. What you write is so true, and it can be applied to so many things; marriage, pride, material things, your children, et cetera. One thing that I have struggled with was letting the Bible itself become an idol. Very thought-provoking post!
Alison B. says
Hi Heather, I am so glad you wrote this. Yup, I can put a checkmark next to many of the items on your list. Your post also reminded me that as home educators we can’t do this half way, we have to be 100% invested without the pride factor taking over. I cannot do this on my own, my own way. I need to step back and have God take the lead. I also have to nix the idea that I have to give up and that I am a failure when I mess up, I need to extend some grace to myself – we all need to do that. Also related to this, as you know my daughter is not yet homeschooled, and that has lead to my thoughts being overtaken by my desire to have her home. I am casting my cares on Him and increasing my faith and trust that God will work it all out. Thanks for being such a blessing to our homeschool community!
Christina Hirst says
Great post! I recently came into the revelation that my “To-Do List” was my idol. I was so consumed with getting everything I WANTED to get done, done…including our school. Thank you for this reminder to step back and give it to Him first.
Vicki Arnold says
Heather, what truth there is here. It is amazing how easily we can turn anything into an idol. Thank you for sharing.
Mary says
Ouch!! Very thought provoking- thanks!
lisa says
Just finding this post. Very thoughtful. Sad to say, i have seen it a lot in my 18 years of homeschooling. I made it such an idol that i couldnt see when things were no longer working and that God was calling us to put some kids in school. He had to break my pride to get me to open my eyes. May i link this on my new blog for burnt out hs moms, moms considering school, and former hs moms? http://rest-for-the-weary.blogspot.com