New Year Reflections ~ 2000

It’s the beginning of a new year! 

No, the beginning of a new decade! 

No, the beginning of a new Millennium!!! (though not technically)

We stand at a historic time in civilization as we enter into a new millennium.  The changes that have occurred over the last 50 years make the head spin.  I have always been an avid reader in history (recently focusing on church history).  As I reflect back on the way God has sovereignly directed the affairs of man, I praise Him for His graciousness in dealing with our weaknesses and His patience in dealing with all mankind.  May we, who seek to obey Him in all things, continue to understand His will in the affairs of man. 

The leadership of CHEO is continually seeking to understand the heart of God and to do His will in this ministry.  As the home education community continues to grow, we attempt to understand not only what those we serve want, but what God wills for us to do.  Many times we struggle with issues brought before us.  We always ask the question, “Is this an area where God is directing us to go?”  There are many needs but as an organization, we cannot meet them all.  We must evaluate each decision with the understanding of how will it impact home education in the long run?     

The Board of Directors and myself are currently in the process of developing a strategic plan for CHEO.  We have evaluated the mission statement, looked at our goals and objectives, and accessed the services of our organization.  We want to make sure we are not only on the right track but offering those services which we feel best able to do.  Please continue to pray for our leadership as we step into this new year with a renewed vision for home education in Ohio. 

Myself, I believe that God has given me a real vision for helping fathers see their true role and responsibility as leaders of the home, church and community.  I always thought that I was doing a good job as a father, providing for my family and training my children.  How far I was from the truth!  The Lord has brought some godly men along my path giving me a vision for family leadership that I never before realized.  I am humbled when I see the true picture of a father. A strong man, realizing the inadequacies within himself, yet striving to lead his family.  I am more and more beginning to realize the truth of the statement I have heard some many times, “the older I get, the more I find out how little I know.” 

As I conclude, there are two issues that I would like to leave each of you with that are already impacting home educators and will continue to do so with more frequency.  The first issue is dealing with the goal of home education.  Many families struggle with the hows of home education.  Instead,  I believe that God wants us to first focus on the whys.  I have come to believe that home education is not academic training, it is discipleship.  Families fail at home education, not because of academics, but because of lack of discipline within their own households.  I believe that God wants us to build strong character within our families.  He is using home education as the method of developing this character.  Be sure the focus in your family is on the big picture, not the immediate demands. 

Second, many families are being lured into association with the government school system.  Whether this is for sports, band, group activities, or academic subjects, many families believe that they have the “right” to have access to these services.  That you pay taxes or not is a poor excuse for demanding these.  There are many “services” provided by the local, state, and federal government that I pay for, but which I do not take advantage of or do not meet the requirement to participate.  But even beyond this argument, we must realize that, for every service we demand, we give up a corresponding freedom.  I have included an article in this issue of the Companion titled “A Nation of Children” which describes the transition that has occurred in our country due to individuals expecting certain rights.  I probably read this article once a month just to remind myself that our freedoms only come with associated responsibilities.  As a society, we seem to have the mindset of “what can the government do for me?”  I think that, as families that have chosen to home educate, we need to count the cost and make the decision God will provide for the needs of our children’s education.

May God continue to bless your year as you disciple your children.  May you have the strength to persevere through this year and stand strong in all adversities that may come your way.  God promises to be faithful to us as we are faithful to His Word.  God bless your endeavors as you seek to honor Him in all your ways.