Join homeschoolers from around the southern part of the state for the Southern Illinois Convention:
Taking Root Downward to Bear Fruit Upward
The Chinese Bamboo tree. For the first four years of its humble existence, it seems to be little more than a pathetic, eighteen inch stick, protruding out of the ground with little hope of survival. The inexperienced planter may have his hope for quick shade dashed, but the knowledgeable landscaper knows exactly what is happening. Undetected by the public eye is a massive explosion of life below the ground as roots stretch outward and downward, motivated by divine design and timing, eagerly preparing for its future appointment. That future is not long in coming because in the fifth year, a miracle of nature occurs. This fledgling sprout, which seemed destined for the kindling pile, erupts into an eighty feet tall tree in less than twelve months, leaving all its contemporaries behind.
It’s hard to glorify or get excited about the growth of a plant’s root system. In the opinion of many, the process takes far too long, and there’s so little early results to take satisfaction in. In a culture that demands immediate gratification, plant genetics are often modified to meet unrealistic time tables of man’s invention. The result is often a loss of quality and diminished overall health of the plant and of society as a whole.
Homeschoolers. Like the Chinese Bamboo tree, they too may appear unassuming in their early years. While many of their peers’ behaviors are being modified in the toxic soil of sarcasm, bullying, disrespect, and negative peer pressure, these young people spread their tender roots into the nutrient rich soil of family encouragement, positive reinforcement, and Christ-centered discipleship. This family environment gives full expression to their God-given gifts and created uniqueness.
Homeschooling parents live with an eternal vision and are not about to compromise their children’s future spiritual fruitfulness for quick results in a man- centered value system. They desire to see their sons’ and daughters’ roots go downward past the superficiality and fickleness of pop culture in order to give them a solid anchor, so that when the winds of Post-Modernism and Post-Christianity blow, they are unmoved. Quietly, day after ordinary day they grow until they become like immoveable trees planted by the rivers of water, that bring forth fruit in their season, and whose leaves don’t wither. (Psalms 1:3)
At this time in human history, when even Christian young people are being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine and every recycled philosophy of man, we are raising our children so they will take root downward and bear fruit upward to the glory and honor of their King. This is home discipleship. This is ICHE. This is a small foretaste what the everlasting kingdom of God will be all about.
