What Really IS The Heart of the Matter?

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When Amy Stults first started Heart of the Matter, I was immediately drawn to her new endeavor because of its name: Heart of the Matter! Why? Well, I have spent the last 19 years of my life home educating my 4 boys.  When first starting this journey, John and I sat down and talked about the goals that we had for our boys…those non-negotiables that absolutely had to be focused on in order for us to have been obedient to God’s priorities as parents. The funny thing was…..high SAT/ACT scores did not appear on that list. Being awarded MVP on the local sports team did not appear on the list. Being the star in the local theater production was not on the list and neither was being an accomplished musician or artist. Heaven forbid! Even getting straight A’s did not appear on that list.

What did appear on the list were items that centered on the heart of our children. God laid on our heart the priority of our boys’ heart being turned toward knowing God and becoming like Him. God wouldn’t let us rest in the idea that it was enough to address the mental and physical needs of our children. We felt that God had called us to train their hearts.

Now, that’s not always the popular thing to do.  Even in home education circles, we may all SAY that training their hearts is important, but living it out, walking that talk is an entirely different matter. It is easy for us to get sidetracked with the latest trend. To be distracted by what is IN and what is OUT as far as curriculum, methodology and philosophy go. It’s easy to get pulled from side to side by peer pressure, societal pressure, activities and trends. It’s easy to get sidetracked from what is most important…..from what really IS the heart of the matter.

It’s been nineteen years since we sat down to write out what we felt God had laid on our hearts for our children. These were items we felt were the “heart of the matter”…..the items that we felt lined up with God’s priorities. We certainly failed many times, but just having them written down helped us stay focused on what is most important.

Here are the things that appeared on that list that were common for all four of our boys.

1. To raise men after God’s own heart

2. To raise men who would seek to know God and become like Him.

3. To raise lifelong learners.

4. To raise and help to develop each young man based on the unique and individual qualities that God had given them for a unique and specific God-given purpose.

5. To raise up educated discerning, culturally literate servant leaders of God’s kingdom.

And now, 19 years later, we have finished home educating three of our sons and have five more years to go with our fourth son. As I’ve been blessed to watch graduations, Eagle ceremonies, weddings and births, I’ve been in total awe of God’s faithfulness. He will accomplish that which we cannot. He is faithful even when we are not. When I think of all the times we fell short, stepped out of line, and even lost sight of God’s priorities, I am so grateful that God doesn’t forget the “heart of the matter” and that He pursues the hearts of our children.

So, during this time of year when we all get a little discouraged and introspective in our home education journey, be encouraged! Don’t focus only on the outward appearance and performance. Focus on the “heart of the matter”….those things on which God places high priority. Continue to trust that HE is beside you in this journey. Remember, man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. May we have the mind and eyes of Christ during our journey!

Lori

P.S.  If you haven’t had a chance to read the book, Heart and Mind:  What the Bible Says About Learning by Ruth Beechick, be sure to pick up a copy soon.  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Lori and John Lane have been married 28 years and live on a ranch in the beautiful Colorado Rockies where John coaches the local high school baseball team, runs the ranch, and works with Artios Academies. (www.artiosacademies.com)They have four sons ranging in age from twenty-six down to fourteen, two beautiful daughter-in-loves, and a precious granddaughter. Lori is the author of the book, Beginning With The End In Mind, and the executive director of Artios Academies. You can follow Lori at www.theendinmind.net where she blogs about a variety of topics including life on the ranch, arts education, a Biblical worldview of education, home education and more.  Her blog also offers many free resources to encourage you on your journey.