My Boat Overfloweth

Written by Tracy

by Charlene Friesen

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There’s something about the words “home schooling.” For some, home schooling is synonymous with yelling “fire” in an elevator and for others the words are reminiscent of cold lemonade on a hot summer day.

I must confess the thought of home schooling was as appealing as amputating my leg. I thought home schooling moms had at least seven children, kept a cow in the back forty and rose at 4:30 am to punch down their bread.

This mom was content with her lifestyle. My bread machine worked dandily and I was a faithful supporter of the school system. Within months of my smug thoughts, however, my son began to have trouble in school.

A chubby eight-year-old, he became the victim of daily taunts. His poor self-esteem soon reared its ugly head in the form of bullying. My husband and I worked tirelessly to help him maintain friendships, complete homework and modify his behavior. Excellent teachers helped make grades four, five and six manageable, but we knew something had to change.

It was my husband who first suggested home schooling. Haunted by years of homework nightmares, I was not an enthusiastic recipient. After school our son was mentally and physically exhausted and not the least interested in schoolwork. Our homework sessions usually ended with at least one person hurling pencils across the room.

“Just pray about it,” my husband encouraged. I promised to give home schooling serious consideration. I even factored in a family cow. After much wrestling in prayer, I said, “OK, Lord, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever said yes to, but I’m willing to home school.”

I began to scout various programs and within days had a timely phone call. A friend from the school board, who did not know of our decision, offered a tour of a center that partnered with home-schooled children. The highly regarded program fit our needs like a glove.

Within six months of home schooling we noticed a huge change in our son’s attitude. Quiet study times, lots of encouragement and nightly family devotions have helped him make the grade. Once again, good-natured jabs and practical jokes visit our dinner table.

In Luke 4, Peter, an exhausted and empty-handed fisherman, received a boatload of blessings because Jesus asked him to cast his net one last time. I too cast my net one last time and I’m still counting the fish.

by Charlene Friesen
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