by Angela Lasch
Apr 1, 2025
[Editor's note: At our Winter Leadership Event in January, our Executive Director, Angela Lasch, shared some thoughts on this year's Leadership theme verse. You’ll find Part 1 of this blog here. We hope you enjoy the conclusion of this two-part blog series.] Most would agree that homeschool group leadership is a ministry. Even if you are paid, the time and effort it takes to encourage and uplift families, plan park days, co-op classes, or plan a homeschool graduation are all labors of love. Our actions stem from our love and passion not only for homeschooling but also for empowering families to raise and disciple their children, following the Lord’s direction according to Scripture. It's a ministry, and it is a calling. Unfortunately, I've been watching a trend for the past few years, and I don't think we can blame Covid for everything anymore. It's the trend of the "actual, real, private Christian homeschool groups" folding – for numerous reasons, but if we look at the big picture, it all comes down to spiritual warfare. The enemy does not want families to homeschool. The enemy does not want the family unit to remain intact, with Christ as the center. The enemy does not want Christian parents to raise and disciple their children, according to Scripture. The enemy does not want parents to believe they can teach their children at home, or teach them at home without financial help from the government. As homeschool group leaders, if we can remember we have a very real enemy as we go through crisis, conflict, and all the trials that come our way, it will help us to keep our eyes on the Lord and remember that our victory comes through Him. The final part of 1 Corinthians 15:58 is knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose]. (Amplified Bible) Even when you work to the point of exhaustion, it (your labor if it's in the Lord) is not futile; it is never wasted (it is never without purpose). Sometimes, we can get to a point where we are just going through the motions – especially after a few years of planning the same events, the same programs, the same registration process – whatever it is you do in your homeschool leadership capacity. This verse reminds us to be continually aware that whatever we do – if it's in the Lord and for His sake, it is not wasted or without purpose. We don't know how long we have to promote, protect, and provide for homeschooled families in California. We need to stand fast for the Lord right now. So, let's remember always to abound, excelling in all we do for the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed] and being continually aware that our labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [and it is never without purpose]. And when we do this, we will model for the younger parents (future leaders) how to lean in and depend on the Lord for everything. And we will experience the blessing of seeing our grandchildren (and maybe even our great-grandchildren) homeschooled one day!
This verse in the Amplified Bible has been such an encouragement to me.
