Back To School - For The Very First Time

Max Lucado once said he learned more about God by being a father than by reading any theology book. More than once these past 16 years, I've pondered that wisdom and generally concurred.

Something utterly new occurred in our household today - I drove two of our boys up to a public schoolhouse door, wished them well and waved goodbye. We have homeschooled for 11 years and today was the first day any of our children stepped a foot in a public school.

We've wrestled with this decision for well over a year. Our 14 year old freshman is a pretty good athlete, and wants to get involved in high school sports. Our 11 year old sixth grader is a "social butterfly" who had a couple dozen of his closest friends urging him to give their school a try.

It came down to a couple of "deciders" - Their needs, other than academics, for involvement and participation in things that were getting harder to do in a homeschool setting; and the fact that we are in a small town with a smaller school and have gotten to know a number of the staff. The timing just seemed right.

I admit, Vic and I were probably more nervous than they were about the whole thing. For the first time, they are on their own for a significant portion of the day. But in a sense, they are not alone. They will draw from a well filled with good things we have poured into them through the years. Chances are - and I may just be wishful thinking here - flickering across their minds at critical moments will be the thought, "What would Mom and Dad want me to do/say/be in this situation?" I believe - rather I desperately hope - that our boys are secure. They know that good or bad, pass or fail, win or lose, Mom and Dad will always love them and desire the best for them.

We rest secure in the knowledge that The Father, and I mean THE Father, has made His deposit in us - His Holy Spirit, His Living Word, His promise of guidance, the "way of escape" in times of temptation... And above all, His promise that nothing can ever separate us from His love. The imperfections of my love for my sons impresses me all the more with the perfect love of the Father.