“When I left Queen's my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Growing up I lived in rural areas. Many of the roads my parents drove as I sat looking out the window had many twists and turns. Riding those roads every day I became accustomed to the bends. I no longer wondered what was around them. I knew.
Even now, having moved away 17 years ago, there is a comfort when I drive those roads a few times a year. I know what to expect. The twists are not scary. There is actually an element of comfort in those turns.
The quote above is one of my favorite literary quotations. It reoccurs several times throughout the Anne series. Just as in life there are many moments we seem to approach a bend in the road. Unlike those country roads I grew up with, I don't know what comes around the bend. Similarly though, I trust my driver.
Recently our family made some big changes. I know from the outside it may look like many things. It may appear we have veered off course, changed paths, or even lost our minds. Some may think we are finally thinking clearly. While the scenery has definitely changed since we came around the bend, our path and priorities haven't. Our purpose is the same, our love for the Lord is the same, and our love for our children, and each other, is the same.
I've learned a lot in the past few weeks. I've learned what works for a season, may not work for all, what works for one child, may not work for all, and lastly, none of our paths are identical. Most of these I knew on a less personal level, but I have come to understand them more deeply. My freedom and confidence in Christ is not subject to conforming to any one group. I'm still very pro-homeschooling. Yet for us and this season, we are making a different choice.
Our family has come around a bend. It was a little unexpected and appeared a bit suddenly. While I do not know what lies ahead, I'm going to believe that the best does.
