When my oldest daughter was nearing school age, my husband and I realized we had a big decision to make.  We had really strapped ourselves to get into our first house in a highly desirable neighborhood, believing that equity was our best investment.  I had been raised in a Christian home and attended private, Christian school my whole life.  My husband came to know Christ as an adult, was not raised in a Christian home, and had attended public schools.

 

I assumed our children would go to private school.  I didn't know where the money would come from, but had been taught my whole life that "God will provide".  My husband assumed that our kids would go to public school, after all, "it was good enough for him".  We were at an impasse.

 

We considered home schooling.  We both agreed that whatever decision we came up with on our own would not suffice.  We needed some Godly direction -- fast.  My husband was convinced, even after praying, that public school was God's answer for us.  I, however, was not so sure.  I had heard my whole life that my parents were paying for a superior education, taught by Christian people from a Biblical perspective. And while it was never expressly spoken, the underlying tone in the particular private schools I attended was that public schools were academically sub-par, filled with heathen idolaters, and over-all dens of iniquity.  Needless to say that cheerfully submitting to my husband in this matter truly felt like sending my little lamb to the wolves.

 

We are very blessed to live in one of the top-rated school districts in our state, so I didn't feel like our daughter would be lacking academically or in opportunities; I was just living in fear.  I begged God for a clear word from Him to confirm my husband's leading.

 

I attended a Women of Faith Conference with my mom and sisters and when Singer/Songwriter/Experienced Mom Gloria Gaither got up to speak.  She said something that cut right to my heart--a direct word from God for me.  She said "Now what I'm about to say is going to be very unpopular, especially where we are standing today (Grand Rapids, MI) but I feel strongly that I need to encourage you ladies that if we don't get our kids, our Christian kids, into the public schools we will never reach this generation for Christ"   That was it, but God shot it like an arrow through my heart, and I knew that for me, for us, for my family, in my particular situation, God was calling us to the public school--not as a second choice, not as a default, but as a high calling from God Himself.  Was I really ready to let go of my fear and walk the road God was calling me to?

 

I came home and told my husband, and from that moment I let go of the fear.  My daughter will be entering 7th grade this year (with her siblings in 4th and 2nd) and I can say with full assurance, that with God's help, we made the right decision.

 

My world had been so small.  I literally grew up only knowing Dutch people from my church and private school.  I am not exaggerating when I tell you that everyone I knew was exactly like me.  Since then I've had many, many opportunities to meet, work with, and befriend people from all kinds of ethnic and religious backgrounds.  My kids have had many opportunities to share their faith openly and unashamedly in class and to their peers and teachers.  God has been so faithful to honor the word He gave us.

 

I'm not saying that public school is the answer for everyone.  By no means! If God has called you to homeschool--do it in the strength He provides.  If God has called you to private school--do it with the resources He entrusts to you.   I am saying that decisions like this need to be handled with prayer, seeking God for His will for your life, and walked out in the faith that God gives, knowing that He is "able to do immeasurably more than we can ask, or even think!"  And if God has called you to public school--then "let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven".