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Why did I choose Skipping Sideways?  I blogged a while back about what it means and why I embrace it as a lifestyle.  It's also fun to actually skip sideways if you get a moment to try it out.  It kind of feels like dancing...

We were sitting on the couch, my husband and me.  I was trying to think of a name for my blog and new email address.  After much deliberation, that included my indicating that I liked alliteration, he said, “How about Skipping Sideways?”  I cocked my head and said, “I do like to skip…”  He gave me a smirk and thoughtfully replied, “Well it sort of epitomizes our journey as parents thus far.”  That was, and is, one of the most profound truths I know.

I think back to our first weeks as parents.  Little did I know that each decision we were making was a strike against societal normalcy.  As I looked at the two lines on the stick, I said out loud, “I’m quitting my job.”  Strike one.  As I researched birthing options, I decided I want to have a natural birth with as few interventions as possible.  This involved having the baby at a hospital over an hour away.  Strike two.  We brought that baby home and I felt too uncomfortable away from the baby to allow anyone to babysit her for months.  Strike three.  (You’d think by now I would have learned…)  We continued to make choices that involved not leaving the baby on a consistent basis and learning to live together as a family.  And then, the hammer dropped when she was about 9 months old.  We started to feel a nudge. That nudge turned into push and before we knew it, we were well on our way to choosing to homeschool our daughter.  This, of course, turned into homeschooling 3 daughters.  Strike four. Wait.  I thought I only got 3 strikes…

Choosing to skip sideways means refusing to skip forward.  Skipping forward can be fun.  But, unfortunately, it just isn't what we are called to do.  I could list for you a million reasons why choosing to have a natural birth was a good idea.  I could record quotes from many books that spoke to me about the advantages of spending ample time with your children.  I could write an entire essay on the reasons homeschooling is a good, solid choice.  But, to be honest, none of those things would be the true reason we have chosen this path.  When people ask me why I homeschool, I like to say, "Because God made me."  Let's face it...in my flesh, I will always choose me.  I will always choose the path of least resistance.  I would always...skip forward.

The ever-present, always powerful, always loving voice of my Savior is what keeps us on this path.  Sometimes I don't know why we are called to live so much differently than other Christian families.  But what I'm learning (albeit slowly) is that I don't always have to know why.  I read a story today to my children out of a fabulous book entitled Parables From Nature.  In this story, I have found a quote which speaks volumes to souls both weary and full.  "In joyful trust let us obey the call, though now we know not why.  When obedience and faith are made perfect, it may be that knowledge and explanation shall be given."  Amen.