By guest author David Watkins

I was reading a small periodical recently and came across a story about the great physicist, Albert Einstein. It immediately reminded me of something I occasionally see manifested in veteran home educators.  The story goes like this:

“Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn’t there, so he looked in his briefcase but could not find his ticket. Then he looked in the seat beside him.  He still couldn’t find it.

“The conductor said, ‘Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it.’ Einstein nodded appreciatively. 

The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.

“The conductor rushed back and said, ‘Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.’ 

Einstein looked at him and said, ‘Young man, I, too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I am going.’”

I chuckled and then thought of something. It may be possible for parents to become so wrapped up in the routine tasks of home educating that they forget their real destination. The schedule works, the curriculum fits each child, the extracurricular activities are properly managed, and socialization is no longer a concern. 

Cruise control is then activated with the thought that the family members only need minor adjustments as they motor down the highway of life. A well-crafted routine that seems to work can sometimes lull a person into lethargy and cause them to think they are accomplishing something when in reality they are about to go into the ditch.

We all need times of reflection, encouragement, continuing education, and revitalization. We need to evaluate whether or not the course we have set for our children is actually going to help them arrive at the intended goal. In fact, we may need to re-examine the goal and make sure it is God’s goal for our children and not man’s. Is your deepest desire to honor and serve Jesus Christ with all of your being?  

The annual Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference provides these kinds of opportunities. Whether you are a veteran home educator of many years or a brand new parent just getting started, the conference has something for you. 

Any effort you make to get there will be worth it. The conference committee is faithfully bringing this conference before the Lord and asking Him to bless the registrants with fresh purpose, encouragement, direction, and steadfastness in their homeschooling endeavors. We are doing what we can. The rest is up to you. Are you registered yet?  

Register Today!

About the Author: David Watkins

David Watkins earned a B.A. degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Divinity from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He has pastored Heritage Baptist Church in Blaine, Minnesota, since 1982. He and his wife Linda began home educating their eight children in 1986, just before homeschooling became legal in Minnesota. David was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of MACHÉ. (Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators) for seven years before becoming the organization’s first Executive Director in 2011. He and his wife also serve on the Board of Directors of the National Alliance of Christian Home Education Leadership (NACHEL), a national organization that serves state and provincial homeschool leaders from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. David and Linda see the eternal benefits of Christian home education and the importance of encouraging and equipping younger home educating families.