Good article...for those who homeschool...as well as the rest of us.
As Christian home educators, we have recognized that our first area of ministry is within our own homes. We know that although we may not be able to reach the whole world, we certainly are responsible before God to be faithful stewards over whatever is within our own jurisdiction, which according to Scripture beings with ourselves and own households. The warning and teaching in wisdom that we do, like charity, begins at home. The first persons whom we want to present mature in Christ are ourselves and our children. Excellence in that sphere then qualifies us to serve in a larger arena, as a household devoted to ministry. If we are Christ's ambassadors, then our homes are his embassies. This is a most important concept in Christian home education.
It is too easy for us to get bogged down in the immediate and necessary concerns (how to teach math or spelling) while losing sight of the eternal, benefits of training our children for Christ. Though school subjects are very important, in the eternal scheme of things it may not matter whether our children learn Latin and trigonometry. However, it certainly will matter that we have ministered Christ to them and equipped them to minister, as well.
The life of Christ within us is a treasure. The gifts and callings we hold in trust from God are treasures. Our children are treasures, and our vision of raising them for Him is a treasure. These precious treasures are worth cherishing and developing.
However, since we and our children inhabit earthen vessels, we find many occasions to fall short. If we expect perfect performance, in them, or in ourselves, we most surely will be frustrated and disappointed. We can only strive for excellence, not absolute perfection, and even then whatever excellence we achieve must be of God and not of mere human effort. This process of pressing toward the mark requires our total and continual dependence on the Lord. Without Him we can do nothing, but through Christ we can do all things - even raise and educate godly children in the 1990's. The task calls for high standards and bended knees.- (I like that!)
http://winn.com/whee/TreasureEarthenVessels.html
