This year was my third year organizing home school field day. It was our biggest turnout to date. We had fifteen families and fifty-nine kids participating. So many moms came up to me saying how it was so nice to finally put a face with a name. How they see my name on the support group emails all the time, and it was so nice to finally meet me. Some of the more experienced moms commented how it was so nice to not have to "do" anything, just to be able to participate.
All this got me thinking about home school community. At one of the recent moms' night out, I was talking with one of the founding women of the Catholic home school support group I belong to. She said she didn't like what we belong to referenced as a group, as much as she thought of us as a community. I know why. When you say you belong to a group, you're implying that you belong to something exclusive that others may or may not partake in.
Community is all inclusive, it has the feeling of home, friends, fellowship. It feels familiar. So how do we create this feeling when we home school? It is very easy to feel isolated when you school your kids at home. It is equally easy to isolate yourself when you school at home. Especially if you have infants and toddlers who don't like to get shuffled around all over Gods' creation. Sometimes I feel like I have nothing to give, nothing to give to my family let alone a community of other families.
Really though, just when you think you can't push yourself any further, it might just be the right time to take risks and open your talents up to the community at large. The biggest thing is accepting help. I have found that if I'm willing to take to the lead with an idea, helpers come out of the woodwork. We can all fit together like pieces of a puzzle, that can work to create a beautiful picture. This is why I home school, right?
I have witnessed more experienced moms burn out because it seems as if no one else is willing to step out on a limb and organize a field trip, or an annual activity. That's when our community falls apart. I'll tell you how field day came about. My oldest, now 8, was in half day kindergarten at our local public school since he had an IEP and was receiving services at school. His class got to participate in field day and he came home with a bunch of ribbons. Needless to say, his brother was none too happy to be sitting watching his brother have fun and earn ribbons on top of it.
So that is how the 1st annual field day began. To give my youngest at the time a taste of fun and a chance to earn some ribbons. As fellow homeschool families rsvp'd for the event I quickly was filled with a sense of dread. Wondering what I had gotten myself into, I regretted opening my mouth at all. I took the full responsibility of the day on my shoulders and it was hard. Everyone there had such a wonderful time though, and I was glad that I stretched myself. Painful though it was. The 2nd year I accepted a bit more help as I had a 6mo at the time. This year, I flat out asked for help with planning and execution. A 4 month old, crazy family trials, you name it. I knew if field day was going to happen I was going to need help. My problem is that I always feel like I am putting people out and inconveniencing them if I ask for their help. I think I am asking too much of them. My own insecurities often lead to me drudging through on my own.
So many wonderful families volunteered to help it was joyful working together. It was truly a feeling of fellowship and community this year. I can't believe I let my insecurities hold me back from experiencing the treasure of those around me. I've since volunteered to be on the team of moms deciding what direction our co-op will take this year. I went through the usual worries. I don't have time, I'm fresh out of ideas, I don't want the responsibility, it's nice to just to come and "be". What if they don't like my ideas? Yep, my vanity is one of my greatest weaknesses.
However, through organizing events and field days I'm coming to deepen my feeling of community. Deepening shared experiences for myself and my kids. Sometimes walking out on a limb ends in disasterous failure. That's life, stuff happens. It wounds our pride and sometimes our hearts. Stretching and growing ourselves past our comfort zone hurts. I know! It is through that growth that we create community out of our love for others.
Opening my time, heart, and talents to others is never easy, but it is always necessary. You never know who's life you touch, what seeds are planted, and what friendships will be formed. Offering up my handiwork to the Glory of God is where true strength lies. That is how you'll find the time and the desire to open yourself to others. Serving Christ by opening hearts to other may just be the light in someone's darkness. We are all called to let the light of Christ shine through us. We are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves. I deeply desire a servants heart. My goal this year is to further develop a servants heart by stretching myself past my comfort zone. Not an easy task for an easy going, quiet, introvert.
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