Is homeschooling a form of legalism? How about counter-cultural practices like courtship (i) and big families, which are common in homeschooling circles? Questions like these have caused me no small degree of confusion. I turn to my own family and many families that I have known, and confidently answer, "no." But then I find blog articles, comments of friends, and even reports on television which seem to credibly contradict my personal experiences. However, as I have repeatedly encountered these contradictions, I have also come across a probable explanation.

"Be still, be still,” He said to me.

"But Father, do you not see?

I must pray, as I do, at the end of the day,

'Pray constantly,' did You not say?

"Father, I'm weary,

My days feel quite dreary,

As I struggle to follow your will,

'Tis quite hard to simply 'be still.'

"I try and I sigh,

But quite often I cry,

Out to You with distress,