Saturday, August 8, 2009

My Little Lamb

“I was like a lamb being led to the slaughter.” Jeremiah 11:19

This verse still brings back memories.

Sitting at the kitchen table, my heart felt heavy. After enjoying two years at a Christian preschool, my precious little boy was ready to begin kindergarten, but the choice of schooling still hadn’t been decided. Although I longed to home-school, God was not leading in this direction. A Christian school in a neighbouring town offered excellent training, yet there was a new Public School almost around the corner. Visiting both of these locations I had managed to secure curriculum in order to help make an informed decision. The piece of paper in front of me displayed my findings.

With a line drawn down the middle of the page, I had written all the pro’s and con’s as I understood them. Studying the results now, only one thing stood out in favour of the Christian school. I assumed my son would be safer in the private school setting. Safety was a huge issue for me.

I remember dropping my head in my hands, surrendering my son again to the Lord, and asking Him to please show me where He wanted Christopher to gain further education.

Almost immediately I heard a question in my head.

“Do you not trust Me to keep him safe?”

That was it. A question of trust. Relinquishing control of this child I had dedicated to the Lord. With tears streaming down my face, I said, ‘Yes Lord. Yes. I do trust You with Christopher. As a step of faith and obedience I will register Chris at the public school.”

I must admit, walking him to his first day of kindergarten, I still felt like I was leading my little lamb to the slaughter, but through tears, I placed him in God’s Hands. It was not an easy surrender.

That was twelve years ago. This year he completes his senior year of High School. We have seen evidence over and over that God’s desire for our family included the Public School system. The friendships made. The opportunities to witness. The Bible studies and Kid’s Clubs that invited the un-churched to hear God’s plan of salvation. The teacher’s the Lord provided. The excellent training that has been received. The growth in my son’s walk with the Lord when he was called to take a stand for Christ. W e have been blessed beyond measure by being obedient to God’s call to trust Him.

A Lamb was slaughtered so that my little lamb could enjoy the freedom and protection granted.



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7 comments:

Kim said...

Thanks for your post this morning. I went back to work this week as a public school teacher and am trying to put my happy face on. It encouraged me that maybe I am the answer to a mother's prayer for a Christian teacher in a public school to look after their lamb.

Lori said...

I loved your story, Joy! Our children keep us glued to God as we seek Him for their protection!
Enjoy the weekend! Hugs, Lori - AZ

Sherri - TX said...

Thank you, Joy for taking the time to share God's Word through your Blog. God is using your words to further His Kingdom & bless lives. Reading your bolg each morning enhances my devotion & prayer time.
Thank you so very much for following God's leading & using your talent to further God's Kingdom.

To His Glory,
Sherri - TX

Danielle said...

Oh, it is so hard to know and trust about our children when we don't know the future... but God does! He knows our little ones futures and has His best planned for them--we just have to trust. Easy words to type. Pretty hard words to live-out sometimes!

It's inspiring to know what happened in your situation. PTL you fully opened your child's life to Him.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I pray this senior year will bring to conclusion the prayers of your heart from long ago. Seems as if we're always releasing them to the world...

Hope you enjoyed your week.

peace~elaine

Tulabell said...

Wow, this post could not have come at a better time for me. I have been struggling to get my daughter into something other than public. I've put her in the lottery for the charter, tried to weight the cost and mileage of transporation from our house to the Montessori private school, no Christian bound schools where I live either, and like you home schooling isn't an option. Thank you for reminding me God will watch over my little one and to trust in Him - to remind me that just cause my prayer for the Charter did not come through, that He is still over watch on her. Thank you for reminding me to continue on in prayer for her!

~Grace and Peace said...

I went through the same crossroads 12 years ago with my oldest son. My heart was heavy and resigned to send him to the nearby public school but the Lord paved the way for him to go to a parochial school. Maybe because I was not a born-again believer at the time, I don't know. But it was the right choice for our family.

I wish you peace of mind as your son enters his senior year. Mine was fraught with worries (and I can't even use the excuse of not being a believer) and stress because of having to meet deadlines for applications, SAT tests, admission essays, etc. I don't know how many gray hairs cropped up during the last year and a half.