Salt and Light (or Answers to Lame Arguments Against Homeschooling #1)

On the Well Trained Mind forum that I frequent, someone inquired how we answer the question of "salt and light" often posed by those who do not homeschool.  The question (or defense of one's own reason for sending their child to school) goes something like this:  "Now, if all the Christians homeschooled their kids, who would be salt and light in the public schools?  I really believe this is why Christians should send their kids to school.  I don't want to over-protect my kids...they need to know about the world.  We talk about things that happen at school when they get home."

My response to this goes something like this. 

we do not throw a pinch of salt into a swimming pool and expect it to become salty. we do not throw a candle into a pit and expect it to remain lit. children are influenced by those with whom they spend the majority of their time. children are not capable of enough abstract thought to defend their faith nor do they have the spiritual maturity to stand against the devil's schemes (which are rampant in the public schools). it is our job as parents to manage and filter the influences that come in contact with our children, and to protect their minds as well as their bodies. i am not saying to keep them naive, but rather to teach them to be wise as they become initiated to the world. i can assure you that this is not the primary goal of the public schools as they crank out their little proletariat work force who will be good citizens to the country and the world. they have an agenda all their own, and the last time i checked it wasn't to raise competent disciples of Christ.

i am working to DISCIPLE my children and TRAIN them in the truth. when this training is complete, then i must answer the call to release them into the world to be salt and light.

Best of Convention

We just returned from the annual HEAV convention in Richmond yesterday.  The whole family went, and although both kids were suffering from different stages of a cold, we made the best of it, tried not to overdo it, and had fun anyway!  Here is a list of the best of convention:

Best find overall: Calvin and Hobbes There's Treasure Everywhere in brand-new condition and snagged for $1 at the used book sale! 

Best line from a seminar: "There are only two religions:  God's Word and man's word." (Ken Ham) 

Best find at a vendor booth:  Who is God (and Can I Really Know Him) curriculum published by Apologia and written by John Hay and David Webb  and Carry on, Mr. Bowditch read unabridged by Jim Weiss.

Best toy acquired by the kids:  A kaleidoscope that has a tube of floaty colors and confetti.  If I'd had this toy when I was a kid, I wouldn't have needed any others.

Best time spent by kids:  swimming in the pool and ordering room service and being spoiled by Auntie Kate.

Best time spent with hubby:  shopping the curriculum floor while he held all my heavy books and never complained.  I was feelin' the love!

Best time spent with Kate:  talking over a glass of wine after the kids were asleep...listening to Joshua snore.  

Best feeling of the weekend:  coming home.

Worst realization of the experience:  realizing that I have to find places for all these new books and stuff.