Life Lessons from Lilies of the Field

Our family is on the eve of a new transition. Our eldest will be heading off to college this fall. Having taught her these last four years, it is all the more poignant as I reflect on what I learned as her teacher and mother from studying Lilies of the Field.

Homer Smith was called, albeit unwillingly, to build a chapel for the nuns of New Mexico. A daunting task for one man alone, he accepted the challenge. Eventually embracing the task, he grew to love it and took great pride in it. It was his chapel.

Homeschooling parents are also called by God to build the character of their children, especially through home education. It is a daunting task, but we accept the challenge. We, too, grow to love it and take pride in seeing our children’s knowledge grow. Each child’s education has become ours.

It does not end here. As the walls of the chapel grew, so did Homer’s pride. The temptation was to claim the building of the chapel as his own.

Other people began to contribute to the building of his chapel. At first, he resented it. However, when he saw the good that came from the generous contributions of these good-willed people, he began to grow in the understanding that perhaps this chapel was not his.

It often happens on our journey of home education that we, too, begin to take a little undue pride in the success of our teaching (usually right before fifth grade…). People come into our lives, generous and good-willed, to offer their help. Their contributions are good.

Our children begin to grow in ways we never could have imagined. Their lives and education are enriched by these warm-hearted people. We, too, begin to realize that this person, whom we had cradled and loved since infancy and whose education we had nurtured, is perhaps not our own after all.

Homer Smith completes the chapel. It is beautiful. The contributions of the other people made the chapel bigger, taller, and more beautiful than Homer could ever have done on his own.

The chapel is dedicated to the service for which it was originally intended: giving glory to God and bringing Him into the lives and hearts of the people. Once the chapel was built by God through Homer’s efforts, Homer drove away.

One Journey Ends – Others Continue

We, too, are ending our journey of educating our eldest daughter at home. Her character, her education have been built as well as we can but far from alone. We have grandparents, aunts and uncles, and many dear friends who have all contributed to making these years of education and formation more beautiful than we could ever have imagined.

She is ready to begin this next phase of her life: bringing glory to God and growing in grace as she finds her way to bring God to others through her love for Him. Our daughter, God’s beloved daughter first, has completed her home education together with our efforts.

And now, we, too, must drive away.

January 23, 2025
Mary Almeida
Seton graduate, Mother of eleven.