Let's See What You Are Made Of...

We've been fortunate enough to send two kids off to college. Up until that time, I had a huge impact on their education because we are a homeschool family. We take our faith, family, and education quite seriously. Due to where we live, our social life was a bit limited. Even though they were part of an Educational Co-op group and participated in activities and they attended a youth group they didn't really hang out with their peers for pizza and movie nights. So going off to college, they were little tiny fish in a pretty big pond.

When the "big day" came for them to enter our community college I had a little prepping to do. I had to explain to them that just because a professor says something, doesn't mean it's the truth. That was a reality concept for them to grasp, especially since they were raised to respect and submit to authority. We were also careful to surrounded them with Biblically wise council. Never the less, college is a place where students are going to hear and experience situations that are going to directly rub against everything they had been taught. I would tell them, "This is where the rubber meets the road. You'll be faced with information that is completely opposite of what you've been raised to believe. And you, not me, not you father, not your uncle, not your anybody will be there to tell you if it is right or wrong. You will have to face yourself and what you believe. We're gonna find out what you're really made of." And off they went.

They both grew to handle difficult situations well. I would often ask opened ended questions, giving them an opportunity to share what they had experienced, on a daily bases. If they said something didn't matter, I would ask what the something was. I didn't let them off the hook easily. I had seen many Christian children walk away from the faith in the college years. I was determined to fight spiritually (on my knees) as well in the natural (daily conversations) for my children. The world probably seen me as overbearing, but I didn't care. Most people thought of me that way anyhow since I homeschooled. But I could see the writing on the wall for this generation of young people and if the culture could convince them there wasn't a God to be accountable to - it would. I had to fight for my faith, it wasn't handed down to me. I wasn't going to sit back and let the culture rob me and the blessings for my future generational line.

They grew and became prepared for the next step. Life away from home, on campus. This meant they would not be coming home at night. They would be given more opportunities to explore life ... and face what they believed. Both children had been on our local No Messin' Around team. They taught abstinence before marriage. Now they both would have ample opportunity to test that teaching. I told both of them before I left the campus, "You've taught other students about abstinence but now you'll have to decide if you really believe in it - for yourself - especially if you have a boyfriend. It's about you and what you believe - I won't be there, your dad won't be there -  ultimately, it's between you and God. If for some reason you think you're going to do something you'd better use protection. I don't have to know what you choose, but as any good parent, I desire you to continue to be wise in your choices." I gave them a hug and a kiss and walked away to let them make their own decision.

I would pray for them each day. I stayed as close through phone conversations as much as possible.  I watched my girls grow and prosper. It's possible they've done things I don't know about. However, they're at an age that even if I don't know about it - it's between them and God. I am confident that the Lord's love and grace would help them if they found themselves in an undesirable situation. Their father and I are still here for wise counsel but the transfer of parent dependence and God dependence has taken place. On the outside things look good. They both have a relationship with the Lord and hold fast to our family values. I humbly say, I guess what we taught them - they still believe...and I continue to pray.

God Bless!
Deborah :)