A Not Scary World

Last week I got a phone call from a woman who had read an article I'd written. We were having an enjoyable conversation when the subject of school came up. She was surprised to learn that I do not homeschool my children. Like, really surprised. She asked if I send them to a public school, and when I told her I do she asked, "Isn't that scary?"

In the midst of that conversation - for a very brief moment - I revisited my feelings of I'm-not-a-good-enough-mom-because-I-don't-homeschool, but God quickly and graciously took me past my faulty thinking. And I responded with a confident, "No."
No. It isn't scary to send my children to a public school.
*My daughter leads a Bible study in her public school and is shining the Light of Jesus among her classmates.
*I know there are Christian teachers at all the schools. My children have been in the classroom of several of them.
*My son told me recently about his science teacher affirming her belief that life begins at conception. He thought that was remarkable enough to tell me about it several hours after he'd heard it.
*I've had good conversations with Christian parents of other kids who attend our public school.
*And I've had the opportunity to be in the lives of and pray for kids who would not be in our lives if my kids didn't attend public school.
Besides all those factors, I thought of the fact that I met Jesus and HE saved me while I was attending a public university. At a university where partying, drinking, and sexual promiscuity were the norm, Jesus sought me out and captured my heart.
Even now, I live in public. We all do! And there is no need to be scared. (OK. It can be scary to consider some of the things going on in our world today. I often find myself asking Jesus to hurry up and come back!) The reality is, Jesus is alive and active in the public world just as much as He is in our privacy.

HE is too big and too powerful to be confined to our safety nets.

I am so grateful for that phone call, the conversation I had with that young mother, and the ensuing reflections through which God has led me.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16:33