Am I a Saint or am I Insane?

by Deborah Wuehler

I normally receive one of two extreme responses when folks find out I am homeschooling my children. They either think I am a saint, or they think I am insane (maybe not using those exact words, but their attitudes and facial expressions reveal their amazement either way).

Let’s look at the first reaction for a moment. The grand response of, “You are lifted up in my eyes and must be on a whole different level to be able to raise all those children AND homeschool them on top of it–you must be a saint!!” Well, in reality, they are right. We are all called saints if we are called children of God. However, we are all on the same level before Him: one of humility before his greatness, not ours. And I think that all of us homeschoolers would be quick to say that, but for the grace of God, we would not be doing what we are doing. And that we are nothing and can do nothing without Him. So, really, He is the One to be lifted up, and not we ourselves. We must always point back to Him and say, “God is good, not me.” And yet, even knowing our lack of goodness (as there is none good, no not one) God calls us saints before Him–even 95 times in the KJV! Here is one of those 95 that proclaim just Who is the One to be not only “looked up to” but to be humbly, fervently worshipped:

“And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.” Rev. 15:3

Now the opposite extreme response is to assume we are insane! Don’t you love those looks of disdain and condescension? Those voices saying, “How could you, why would you, don’t you care, don’t you worry, aren’t you afraid, I would be crazy to attempt it” seem to ring throughout your being trying to shake your conviction. But praise be to God, when we stand strong in our calling and convictions, the Lord takes up our offense. Let’s think about that word, “insanity.” A current humorous definition, which I’m sure you’ve heard, is this: “Continuing to do the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” If that is true, then that is exactly what the government is doing by continuing to pour billions of dollars into a failing public education system and expecting different results. Oh but wait, the results have changed, and current research states that things are getting worse than ever before.

Insane. I kind of like that word. It really means “not in one’s right mind. Utterly senseless or foolish.” Now, why would I like such a word? Well, biblically speaking, God has made the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. While some look at homeschooling as foolish, God raises up children of excellence in character who are growing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. Man’s wisdom is really utterly senseless in the eyes of God. To not be in one’s right mind can also be a good place as we seek to exchange our thoughts and feeble wisdom in order to know the mind of Christ and operate under His thoughts and wisdom. Totally foreign thinking to the world, but life changing to the believer.

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” 1 Corinthians 3:18–20

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16

So, the next time someone thinks you are a saint or that you are insane, let them know that you are BOTH, and be sure to let them know that you will continue to keep those children Home Where They Belong.

Biographical Information

Copyright, 2009. All rights reserved by author below. Content provided by The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC.

Deborah Wuehler is the senior editor for The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine. She resides in Roseville, California, with her husband Richard. They are the parents of eight children: three teenagers, three elementary, a preschoole,r and a baby. They have been homeschooling since the birth of their firstborn who is now graduated from high school. Many of her articles can be found on www.Crosswalk.com, and many other homeschooling sites. She is a group leader in her local homeschooling support organization and she loves digging for buried treasure in the Word, reading, writing, homeschooling, and dark chocolate! Email her at senioreditor@theoldschoolhouse.com.