The year was 1993. We had just begun home educating our children. It was exciting and, yet, terribly frightening. We considered ourselves “settlers” as opposed to the giants that had braved the frontier before us: the Farris family, the Moore family, the Swan family, and the myriad of “pioneers” like them. Those stalwart family warriors had braved the battle that allowed us to now, more easily, choose to homeschool our children. However, we were without close comrades in our endeavor. We could look to no other family or individual in our immediate life to seek an example, counsel, or help on this issue. Our friends and family thought that we had definitely stepped over the edge.
God is gracious. Within months of beginning, He brought a lovely person into my life – Jeannie Cornish. I initially contacted her through our mutual piano teacher. She had agreed to help me with curriculum choices. I was immediately drawn in by her enthusiasm and love for her family and her husband. She was passionate about educating her children. She was passionate about her relationship with her husband. She was passionate about her walk with God.
Jeannie would prove to be a dear friend and a mentor that I would lean on continually as we home-educated our children over the next 15 years. She not only helped us with the academics of home education, but she enthusiastically brought to light social and moral issues that our young children would face as they matured. Her insight would allow us to wrestle with issues early, and prepare for controversy that we would face later.
The most interesting factors about my friendship and mentoring relationship with Jeannie were found in our differences. Our children were not the same age. They were not playmates. We attended different churches and walked in different circles. Most importantly, she was a pioneer and I was merely a settler in the homeschooling movement. Our choices were broader and easier. Yet, she was passionate about helping us to make the most of our decision to home educate our children. She zealously encouraged us to implement ideas and alternatives that were unavailable to her when she began to homeschool her children.
Jeannie was impassioned and enthusiastic, full of wisdom. However, she was gentle, kind, and non-judgemental. She was selfless in desiring the best for our family as we embarked on this adventure of homeschooling.
Her family eventually took a different path. Her chidlren attended traditional schools in the latter years of their education. Yet, our hearts were on the same path. We desired God’s best for our children. The Cornish’s two oldest children are adults now. They are lovely and successful. Most importantly, all three of their children have hearts for God and His Kingdom.
Although we have lived in different states for years, Jeannie and I continue to follow each other’s lives. God blessed me with a mentor when I needed it so dearly and He also gave me a lovely friend in the process. Thank you, Jeannie!
I encourage others to seek wisdom and friendship through mentoring relationships. Sage advice is always helpful. It works for me! For other great ideas, visit Works for Me Wednesday.
“Then [the older women] can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” Titus 2:4-5
