Homeschooling Parents: You are engaged in important, eternal work.

Life is full of discouragements and disappointments. We often feel keenly how far we fall short in our own best efforts, right inside our very own homes. Please allow me to offer some words of encouragement as we approach a new year.

We know that, as Christians, we are involved in spiritual warfare. One of our prime objectives in that warfare is the raising of godly children. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

But we must remember that those same children are also one of the Enemy’s prime objectives. He knows that his evil work will be made far easier if he captures the hearts and minds of the rising generations (hence his focus on destroying the Biblical family unit and infiltrating education systems).

It is all too easy to forget this backdrop of spiritual warfare in the throes of everyday life. You know the times: when the dishes are piled high, the kids’ toys are strewn across the floor, and exhaustion is setting in as the sun goes down while your daily to-do list is yet again incomplete.

It is in these very moments that we must take pains to remind ourselves of what’s truly important. As a husband and father, I often need to remind myself that my primary mission is to minister to my wife and children. Their eternal souls are in my charge. I won’t be judged on the cleanliness of the living room floor or a having a perfectly clean kitchen each evening. While those are not bad goals to have, they are not first things. First things are those with eternal significance.

Christians who have taken on the task of homeschooling have embarked on a great mission. They are not merely feeding their children facts to remember for a test. They are molding and training their hearts and minds to embrace and believe a Biblical worldview. In Deuteronomy 6, we are charged to teach the Word of God in this way: “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” In other words, in all of life, at all times and in all places, we are always teaching godly precepts to our offspring, whether by example or tutelage.

I happen to be actively engaged in state politics. I firmly believe that politically-engaged Christians are acting as salt and light in an important arena. With that said, I read an incredible quote from Jeff Deist, a professional political activist (and Presidential campaign adviser) by trade. In light of his vocation, his words may surprise you:

“The most important form of activism, by far, is raising good young people. Teaching them to be productive, peaceful, and self-sufficient is job number one. This is infinitely more valuable than politics or formal education.

“So have children, as many as possible, and raise them as decent people.

“The young person you save, or launch, may well change the world for the better. Voting probably won’t.”

So parents, be encouraged. Each day with your children matters. They are listening to you, watching you, and learning from you as you walk with God, even in the middle of messy living rooms and unwashed dishes. Your actions and words have eternal significance, and you have a tremendous opportunity to influence your children for Christ. As we start a new year, may God bless your endeavors. May you truly know and experience the words of Psalm 127:3-5: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!”