“Plans and Surprises” – Sursum Corda News March 2023
Dear Sursum Corda Mamas–
When I first started homeschooling, I really wanted two things: joy in learning and academic challenge that would help my daughters reach their full potential. And we found those two things. But we also found so much more that I didn’t know to expect: family closeness, more chances to live our faith with our children, schedule flexibility that let us take an international mission trip and see National Parks, freedom from some of the intense social pressure and peer pressure that exists in schools. We found some unexpected struggles and pain, too, that God used though I never would have planned them: inter-sibling distress, college application stress, trouble fitting into peer groups. It has never been “easy,” but God has continually blessed me beyond my expectations.
When I first started with Sursum Corda, what I really wanted was friends for my daughter, and great discussions with her peers through the high school years. And–my goodness!–we have found those two things. But I didn’t know to expect the uplift for me of a whole community of mothers who care about educational philosophy. I didn’t know to expect mentor-teachers who would care for my daughter and become like family for her. I didn’t know to expect a haven that brought us through Covid, or how much I would come to love Plutarch . . . or a creative magazine in Latin, an outrigger birding field trip, and a Student Government Association! This place has had its pain, too, and sometimes it takes faith to believe God is using it all for good. But once again, God has blessed us beyond my expectations, and given me real joy in serving. It has not been “easy,” but it has been extraordinary.
Your story may be very different from mine. Your desires may have been different, and your surprises may have been different. But you, too, have made choices and plans based on what you long to give your children. You, too, have had a loving Father make bigger and bolder plans–additions, changes, re-routings, trials, blessings. In this season when our thoughts turn so often to the future, let’s celebrate the fact that we do not make our paths alone! “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) Take heart, as you devise your way forward; He WILL direct your steps.
With love,
Heather (for the Board)