Tree Hugging Jesus Worshipper

I had a wonderful learning experience this afternoon. The boys and I stopped by the park on the way home from school. My oldest son immediately gravitated towards the other children, as he always does, and began making friends. The other family had brought a soccer ball with them and they organized a game. Once the teams were set they began to play. One of the brothers was rather good and kept scoring over and over, which frustrated the younger participants. His Mom quickly stepped in and reminded him he was playing with littler kids.


This sparked up a conversation between his Mom and myself. We talked a little about our families, where we were from, how many were in our family and finally where our kids went to school. Come to find out, she home schools her children. I think that is awesome. But, it is the words that she chose to tell me about her homeschooling that taught me a HUGE lesson.

She was excited about homeschooling and enjoyed it very much. I asked her if she belonged to a large community of families who home school... and come to think of it, this question is what prompted her comment. She said, "yes, it is growing." "People often think that homeschooling is done only by Christians." ...and I thought, what an odd thing to say!

I then told her where my kids go to school (at our Lutheran church) and I think she was slightly embarrassed, but I didn't make a big deal about it and continued our conversation as if I didn't even catch it.

We ended up leaving the park at the same time and we said our goodbye's and nice to meet you's before climbing in our mini-vans. While passing her vehicle I noticed the most interesting bumper sticker that read, "Tree Hugging Dirt Worshipper"... And it totally called me out.

During the past year I embarked on a journey of self-discovery. I have become an advocate of natural health and healing. What I've noticed is that many people who embrace this lifestyle have formed communities, places to share their ideas with others who are like-minded. What I've found in these communities is that more often than not, the members are not Christian, or they don't promote their Christianity. The sad part is that neither did I.

Just like the woman at the park thought homeschooling is stereotypical of Christians, I thought that natural health and the green movement is stereotypical of Non-Christians.

The bottom line is I am excited for her and inspired by her. She went out on a limb and accomplished her goals despite feeling as though she did not fit in. Now she has a community of like-minded people to share her ideas. I doubt she would have realized how much we actually have in common. I couldn't help but wish I had a bumper sticker on my van that read,