rebelling against low expectations
It was four years ago, around this time of year. The flat was silent, empty. I had just arrived home from university. I didn’t even take my coat off. I just dropped my backpack, sank down on the floor, and cried my eyes out. It would be two more years before the doctors worked it out, and by that time I was resigned to how my life was changing–how it would have to change if my...
Have you ever been called sheltered? Have you ever had someone make fun of you for being innocent? I have. Words like “sheltered” or “innocent” can cause a quick burst of shame to slither down your spine, and make you feel less-than or not-enough. After all, we live in a culture that exalts the street-smart and world-wise, the ones who have gone around the proverbial block of life and come out...
Homeschooling culture is funny. I admit it. There’s a lot to pick on us about. Thankfully, we have a pretty good sense of humor and can dish the homeschooler jokes out ourselves. John Crist and Blimey Cow being chief among us. But as funny, humorous, and, at times, embarrassing as homeschooling can be, I wouldn’t trade it. I’m glad I was homeschooled. The thing about homeschooling is despite the...
Excuse the generalization, but homeschooled kids like myself can have have really strong imaginations about the scary world of “school.”As we watch the Christian movies and hear the warnings of our Sunday school teachers, our minds get stuffed with ideas of all the persecution we could face.Well, after just three weeks as a dual-enrollment student at my local community college, I can tell you...
It’s school season (if you haven’t noticed). And with it, the school season brings many things: friends, full-schedules, the thrill of learning, homework, late night study sessions, early morning study sessions, teachers, tests, projects, drama–it goes on and on. But what it brings the most is a pile of unknowns. And with the unknowns come questions… Questions about whether you’ll be...
“I would rather you stay up with a friend who needs help than finish your essay for my class on time.” These weren’t the words I expected to hear from a college professor on the first day of class. She was not only telling us she was fine with us putting off assignments, but she was encouraging us to do so. When most books and articles advising for college focus on the importance of studying or...
I used to be completely passive about witnessing to my friends. I would often shy away from witnessing opportunities and become embarrassed about my personal faith. “I’m too shy,” I would tell myself. How can I share the gospel? Thankfully, last spring God began to open my eyes through a combination of different devotionals and sermons. One day in church, we were singing “Let Your...
Any 16-year-old homeschooler experiencing college for the first time would be daunted. That’s why, on my first persuasive essay for English, I decided to do my project on an easy-to-agree-with subject: the value of nutrition and home cooking. Deep down inside I wanted to put all of my past research on abortion, child abuse, and other world problems to good use. So why didn’t I? From Timid to Bold...
Over the past couple of days, I’ve been making shopping plans. Not the going-to-the-mall-and-buying-clothes kind of shopping. This is about notebooks, backpacks, and all the other things I need to get before I leave for college in just a couple of weeks. The shopping lists on my whiteboard have been getting longer and longer as I try to figure out where and when to buy socks, sheets, and extra...
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4) This is stupid, but I used to want bad things to happen to me. I thought my faith wasn’t strong because I hadn’t gone through a tough time. I...
rebelling against low expectations
