When I think about my dad, the word steadfast is top of mind. Though not perfect, he’s not a man who’s afraid to do the right thing even when it’s not popular or convenient.
For example, my mom was a reluctant homeschooler. She never planned to homeschool. My parents were convinced when my brothers and I were quite young that our education should be Christian, so they sacrificed to enroll us in a Christian school. But by the time I entered the sixth grade, the school I attended was having problems. With no other Christian school options in the area, my parents made the difficult decision to start homeschooling. I, in particular, rebelled against the idea and made my opinions on the matter known to my parents. My father never flinched. It made me mad at the time, but looking back, I’m so glad Dad was not afraid to displease me. He had a vision for his children, and he stuck to it.
My father-in-law was not passive about his children’s education either. Unlike my parents, my husband’s parents were convinced from the very beginning that homeschooling was the best educational choice for their children. They chose to homeschool when home education was still very rare and unpopular and were very active in the homeschooling movement in South Carolina. My father-in-law did his best to get involved—he helped teach his children and participated in their extracurricular activities as well as in the local homeschooling association.
The Bible has a lot to say about child rearing, and often its counsel is directed specifically to fathers. For example, Ephesians 6:4 exhorts fathers: “Provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” A similar command shows up in Colossians 3:21. The book of Proverbs makes many references to a father’s teaching or instruction. The Lord does not intend fathers to be passive observers in the home. They are to be the leaders. They should be the visionaries. And they need to be a part of executing that vision as much as possible.
My husband and I have three young daughters—two are already livening up our home, and we expect the third to join them in just a few weeks. My husband deeply loves “his girls.” He’s not only involved as much as possible in their lives but is also providing the leadership we desperately need. I am thankful—every day.
If you’re a dad, how are you getting involved with your child(ren)’s education?