Michael P. Farris, Esq.
Chairman &
General Counsel

Encouragement for those facing homeschooling trials

Volume 57, Program 16 Airdate: Monday, January 10, 2005 Originally Aired: March 23, 1998

Many tout homeschooling as the ideal form of education. But what if your family situation is less than ideal? This week on Home School Heartbeat, Michael Farris, Chairman and General Counsel of Home School Legal Defense Association, offers encouragement to families who are homeschooling in difficult circumstances.

Michael Farris:
You're committed to following Christ and to raising your children to love him. But then trouble hits: a financial crisis, a sudden illness, a rebellious child, a death. If you were doing everything right, why is this happening?


If you're facing a time of testing, know that in many ways, you're not alone. First, you're not the only homeschooling family to struggle. I don't know of a single family that hasn't thought at least once about putting their children back in a school. The ones who stuck it out were the ones who never forgot the reason they were homeschooling—because it's best for their children.


Second, you're not alone in the community of believers. It's the duty of the church to bear one another's burdens. Some families don't get the help they need because they fail to make their needs known; others, because the community doesn't do its duty. We as Christians and homeschoolers need to place a high priority on caring for our own sick and wounded.


Finally, you're not the first servant of God to be suddenly hit by calamity. The book of Job tells the story of a blameless man whose faith was severely tested. Hardship doesn't always mean you're doing something wrong. It may mean you're doing something very right. I'm Michael Farris.

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