Winner Wednesday: Agent Tim
Written by quietcajun on May 7, 2008 – 3:00 am -
This week’s interview is with Agent Tim, an 18 year old young man from Washington D.C. who has been homeschooled his entire life! I was curious to know what living in such a historic place was like, so that was one of the first questions I asked him. I enjoyed reading his responses to that and several other questions. I think you will too!Q: I see that you live near Washington D. C. How has that been beneficial to you? Have you had some amazing field trips? Tell us about that.
A: You know, it’s really weird living so close to D.C. I’ve been to most of the monuments, taken amazing tours of the Capitol, walked the streets, eaten in the restaurants, visited most of the Smithsonian museums, and watched fireworks on the Fourth of July. Most of us who live in the area take it all for granted. But for me, every time I see the dome of the Capitol, the Washington monument, and the Lincoln Memorial it’s as if I’ve never seen it before. I’m sure it’s different for those who work in the city or live in the city, but for me, it’s incredible to have that kind of history so close.
Q: What initially drew you to blogging? Can you tell us how you got the nickname ”Agent” Tim?
A: Well, my good friend Jake Smith drew me to blogging. I was on a failed attempt to learn how to program computers - but that’s just not my thing. I love writing, but not coding. Yet I met some guys on this Christian online forum, and one of them had started a “blog.” I had no idea what in the world it was - but I thought it was awesome how this guy posted daily thoughts, events, and Scripture on this website. I wanted one - so he helped me get started.
I orignally named the blog “Catspaw007,” based on an Adventures In Odyssey Character (The Last Great Adventure of the Summer is the episode). I’ve always loved spies and espionage, and at one time wanted to be a CIA agent or work with the FBI. I changed the name shortly after and simply called myself “Agent Tim.” The name stuck, and it remains with me to this day.
Q: Did you expect your blog to be so widely read? How do you feel about the amount of hits your blog has had? Is it intimidating?
A: I really did not start blogging with any thought of being widely read. I had no idea what blogging was, or what was in store. Really, as I look back, I can see that it was nothing of me. Everything good that happened through the blog was completely God’s work. I had nothing to do with it. As for the countless numbers of readers and hits that my blog has had - I feel two things. One, I’m stunned. And I realize once again that it’s all God’s doing. Secondly, it really hits me how much responsiblity God has given me through the blog. He has influenced countless numbers of young men and women through me - many of them I won’t every meet. But God has allowed much encouragement through many emails that always seem to come through at just the right time for me. I don’t think it’s intimidating - just humbling.
Q: Do you have siblings? What are their ages? Have you all been homeschooled?
A: I do have siblings - 4 of them actually. I don’t really talk about them on the blog very much,mainly for their own protection. But they have all been homeschooled just as I have, and their ages range from 7 to 15.
Q: Do you see yourself as being a homeschool success story? Why or why not?
A: I really don’t define it simply as a “homeschool” success story. I really want it to be “God’s success story.” Yes, I am a homeschooler, but it’s not the most important thing. I’d love to communicate to teens the transformation in my life through the gospel, and not just simply through being homeschooled. And it hasn’t just happened to me. There are so many other young men and women out there who are better examples of “homeschool success stories.” Just look at Alex and Brett Harris, or even my good friend David Boscovik, the designer of my websites. Those guys are incredible and God is using them in a huge way! But I think I represent many of those teens, homeschooled or not, who are doing small things for God. I think it has been a success because God has worked through me to do some amazing things and hopefully people can look at this story and not say, “Wow, look what Tim has done,” or, “Wow! Look what a homeschooler can do,” but “Wow! Look what God can do!”
Q: What is one piece of advice you’d offer to homeschool students your age?
A: That’s a really hard question. There is so much to say! But one thing I would really encourage: in whatever you do, seek humility by daily reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice, what He has done on the cross, and not losing sight of Calvary. When you do that, your life will be radically changed as you pursue holiness. It’s easy to become complacent about your faith if you’ve grown up in a Christian home. You think you’re standing firm - but that is when you can quickly fall. Seek the Savior, and His grace found through the cross alone. His grace is enough. His sacrifice is all you and I need.
As my friends Alex and Brett Harris have pointed out, it’s easy to rise to the top in a sea of mediocrity. As homeschoolers, it’s easy to be prideful about our success, our intelligence, or our knowledge. I know I’ve struggled with that constantly. But God opposes the proud - and He gives grace to the humble. I want grace - and I need grace constantly! And so do you!
Thank-you, Tim, for a great interview. I was especially impressed by the humility in your answers and the focus on Christ that shines through! I pray that you will continue to humbly acknowledge God as the source of all that is good in all of our lives!
Blessings!
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May 8th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I am so proud of my nephew Agent Tim. Not only for his blog, but even more so for his commitment to Christ and his desire to share Him with other kids his age. Teenagers who are able to express their love for the Lord in the way that Tim does are the hope of the next generation. Way to go Tim!
May 9th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Awesome article.
Great job Christina!
Way to go, Tim!