These little lights of mine...

I was watching a very sad and disturbing 48 Hours episode tonight on the topic of bullying, and I became terrified.  With one year until I have a child in public school, the reality of how dangerous kids today have it is quickly becoming a legitimate concern for me.  After watching about half of it, I had almost made up my mind to home school my kids.  And then Kevin came in and wanted to watch his football, so thankfully I didn't sit there any longer and torture myself.

I went about the business of giving baths and putting kids to bed, and all the while I was praying.  Praying for my kids' safety as they enter school, the friends they'll make when they get there, for the choices they'll make when faced with standing up for what's right or following the crowd, and for protection from any kind of bullying so that they never have to know that pain.  As I was praying, I felt like God was asking me, "Why do you doubt my ability to protect them?"  "Ok God," I replied, "but school is such a dangerous place anymore."  And He said to me, "If you don't send your children, how will the other children see who I am?"

Bingo.

And then that sweet childhood song came into my head.

"This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine.

Let it shine!  Let it shine!  Let it shine!

Hide it under a bushel?  No!
I'm gonna let it shine!
Hide it under a bushel?  No!
I'm gonna let it shine!
Hide it under a bushel?  No!
I'm gonna let it shine!

Let it shine!  Let it shine!  Let it shine!"

Notice each phrase repeats three times?  God says that's for my three kids.  Love how he works in ways I can understand.  So homeschooling out of fear is out.  These little lights will be escorted out from under the bushel and sent to school shining and all prayed up every day.

Note:  This is not in any way intended to criticize anyone who does home school.  All I'm saying is that at this point in time, my only motivation to do so is fear.  And after listening to God speak to me, fear is not a good enough reason to do anything.