The Fruit of our Labors

by Susan Hitchcock

Everyone wants to bear fruit in their home schooling efforts. We want to tend the ‘garden of souls’ that God has so graciously imparted to us. Gardens require so much work. Gathering the seed, preparing the ground, planting, watering, weeding, cultivating, being patient, gathering the crops and eating the fruits of our labors. In this article I want to encourage you to ask some questions in determining whether the learning activity that goes on in your home results in luscious fruit. What makes fruit grow and be luscious—what steps do you take to create a home where learning is a joy and wisdom is abounding?

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

I believe the first step towards bearing fruit is to embrace a quiet life symbolizing the dehydration and dormancy the seed must undergo in the natural.

What does a ‘quiet life’ mean? It means to fully grasp the significance and value of home being the center and hub of activity—diligently working with our hands, quietly reflecting on ideas and thoughts; habitually and faithfully embracing the lessons and objectives of home life; and pursuing relationship with Jesus in fervency and humility. It means ‘having a season’ where you focus on truly getting His mind regarding education and a lifestyle of learning. You are becoming educated by the Lord Himself and not ‘listening’ to all the voices that are out there but setting aside time to ‘come home’ so that you can solidify the direction He is leading your family. A quiet life allows one to ‘live an examined life’ and be free from the many distractions of the world—the key to future fruit. But, lest you think that our house is ALWAYS quiet—let me assure you that my boys are HIGH-energy; fun-loving; free-spirited, romping young ‘men’ who love to bring frogs into our home; make continual animal/machine noises; jump off stairs and climb up our railings; and wrestle and chase each other around the house. A ‘quiet life’ has more to do with living a LIFE at home and having that life full of rich purpose and quality activity.

“I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.” Ps. 101

The second step towards bearing fruit is to actively develop a thriving family life which symbolizes the seeds becoming active ‘below ground’--the seed is ‘hidden’ yet active.

In the natural the seed begins to germinate as long as the seeds have enough water, oxygen, warmth and light. In the spirit realm the child grows, develops, flourishes and thrives in the warmth of a loving family and in the security of a well-grounded home life.

Do we rush the process of seed germination? Can we force the seed to grow? Do we get angry when we can’t ‘see’ the growth? A farmer is patient and faithful. Likewise, the parent calmly waters each child with the ‘living’ fountain of the Spirit. The parent thus walking in the Spirit knows ‘how much’ and ‘at what time’ to administer the water of life—not in a rush or frenzy to ‘fill buckets’ but slow and steady—consistent to nurture and faithful to nourish and in the end hearts are captured and affections won.

Specifically, what is the water, the oxygen, the warmth and light that we use to cultivate our children’s hearts and enlighten their minds? How do we actively develop a thriving family life?

1. Satisfaction only found in Jesus! Our thirst can only be satisfied with a yearning desire for God’s presence—the Living Water. We were first and foremost created to be worshippers of Almighty God—to know Him. When this essential nutrient is missing, all our efforts will be in vain. Relationship with Jesus and His heart burned on our heart is the most significant element for developing luscious fruit.

2. The air we breathe is the fruit of being in His presence—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. When we’ve been in His presence then the natural fruit will be His Spirit living and moving and having His way in our lives. These qualities will abound in our hearts because of relationship with Him not because of trying real hard to be like Jesus. The way of the Spirit is so natural and graceful—His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

3. The warmth of right relationships—sweet interactions; stimulating conversations; great examples; positive and encouraging words; secure environment—the rich soil of respect, honor and friendship; team spirit and family unity.

4. We walk in the light of His word—forgiveness, humility, in ‘all goodness and righteousness and truth’. Jesus dwells in ‘unapproachable light’ and has called us ‘out of darkness into His marvelous light’. It’s not a conforming of the flesh to His ways—rather it’s walking in the Spirit and falling in the love with the Lamb of God that transforms us and empowers us to ‘walk in the light as He is in the Light’.

The third step towards bearing fruit is to ‘develop a lifestyle routine and a family vision’ symbolizing the growth of seeds into seedlings in the natural.

When you develop these routines and ascertain God’s vision for your family then you lay the foundation to influence your children’s actions, cultivate their habits, nurture their character and encourage their hearts for eternity. This third step allows us to design an atmosphere for the unfolding of God’s unique plan for our children’s lives. A method whereby our children’s hearts are guarded and their minds trained for His purposes.

“Trust in the Lord, and do good, dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness”. Ps 37

Step four towards bearing fruit is learning basic skills and the beginning use of the learning tools which symbolize the plants popping through the ground.

1. Start building skills in phonics and reading—drills, games, read-alouds, and flash cards aid in reinforcing these foundational skills and the ultimate tool for all learning.

2. Do real-life math as much as possible; daily work on drills and facts; interactions in the kitchen—understanding measuring and fractions; grocery store math lessons; work on a system to record allowances; play lots of games for reinforcement; come along-side dad for learning basic wood-working.

3. Basic language and writing skills through daily copy work, narration and journaling; thank you notes and birthday cards. Lots of opportunities to talk and listen—tea parties; one on one dates; family meals; cuddling; read-alouds; games; family walks; campfires—a warm and friendly home environment that affords many occasions for language and writing skills to naturally progress.

Step five towards bearing fruit is when the process of maturation—practice, persistence and experience using basic skills—is further developed within the natural context of their delight-directed interests and abilities symbolizing the plant flourishing and growing up naturally, heartily and robustly.

Instead of conforming to and being bound by the unreasonable and senseless demands of high test scores, excellent grades, gifted programs, scope and sequence and activities that consume our children’s time and diminish their love for learning, we walk in the Spirit learning the ‘unforced rhythms of grace’ and embrace the beginning of all knowledge—the fear of the Lord and humility of heart.

In this step we further develop the skills of language arts, science, math, life skills and cultural literacy through as many natural opportunities as possible. You flow in seasons and use ‘blocks of time’ that Marilyn Howshall speaks of in her “Wisdom’s Way of Learning” books, as the avenues for growth. In step five you begin to ‘see’ the fruit—it isn’t mature but it’s on the vine. ? Table-time; family reading time; family time—work, play and together time; and productive free time become the primary blocks of time for cultivating a love for learning, teaching the learning tools and imitating the life of Jesus.

1. Table-time—in our home this is a one-hour block of time to focus on copy-work, memory work and handwriting skills. Great works of literature to copy; Scripture to write on hearts; famous speeches and stimulating poetry to make their own—what wonderful opportunities this time can bring.

2. Family read-alouds—in our home this is at least a one-hour block of time where we read living and nourishing books and many different subjects. History becomes ‘alive’ through these treasured read-alouds instead of a dry and boring textbook approach. Developing a LOVE for reading—to have such a passion in this area that your children will be self-motivated and self-educated. A block of time to develop a heart of leadership by embracing the enjoyable habit of reading to your family.

3. Family time—work, play and together time—in our home we have many cherished family interests and activities that are treasured above the worldly counterfeits of empty entertainment and shallow pleasures. Mealtimes and chore times are great times to build unity and depth of relationship. Family time should be guarded and the priority of our lives.

4. Productive Free Time—in our home we set aside 2-3 hours everyday where our home is quiet so that our boy’s minds are stimulated through living books and reflective times to think and focus their creative energies towards delight-directed projects and activities; solitude is desired and enjoyed—and highly encouraged by mom! ?; and there is adequate time, space and freedom to explore God’s rich creation. This time is so crucial to proper growth. It allows them to work with their hands and leads to greater clarity of their life purpose. This time allows for rich learning experiences and development of skills which will make them competent, capable adults.

Step six towards bearing fruit is passionately mastering skills--infused with enthusiasm and accomplishing profound achievements for His highest purposes symbolizing the prolific season of harvest and bounty—the plant has produced an abundance and the time of gathering has come.

“but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life…”

Years and years of embracing hiddenness; forming solid family values, commitment and memories; walking in the Spirit and going the way of the cross; consistently training in good habits and discipling our children’s hearts; faithfully building foundations and diligently equipping ‘for the Master’s use’; staying with the process; persevering in weariness; enduring through difficulty—NEVER GIVING UP!

‘and let us not lose heart in doing good for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.”
Gal 6 “oh, taste and see that the Lord is good…”

Then the glorious ‘day of reaping’ comes with an inexhaustible harvest—the riches of His heart beating in your children’s heart; the thriving of His kingdom clearly seen in the works of their hands. God has blessed indeed, and must enlarge your heart to contain the abundance.

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” Mal 3:10

The ‘whole tithe’ could signify your sacrificed and yielding and entirely surrendered heart to His plan for your family. The food signifying the ‘best fruit’ yet to come—being STORED up. And finally the windows of heaven opening signifying that time when the harvest is ready and feasting has come.

Your children walk in the fear of the Lord and humility of heart. They pray at all times and rejoice in everything. They are peaceful, quiet and reflective. They have simplicity and purity of devotion to Jesus. They embrace servanthood. They love from a pure heart, a sincere faith and clear conscience. They are disciples of Jesus who follow in His footsteps—His image imprinted on their hearts. Instead of seeking temporal pleasures—they seek a simple lifestyle and inner refreshment of the spirit. Instead of the constant lure of activities and amusements—they quietly work with their hands and faithfully attend to the joys and pleasures of home life. Natural progressions; ‘learning in order to revere the Lord’; and living life ‘according to His good pleasure.’

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in WHATEVER he does, he prospers.”
Ps. 1:1-3

In closing, I want to make an observation about gardens. This summer I had the privilege of attending a locally-sponsored garden tour. The gardens were exquisite—a true work of art and each reflecting the personality and flair of the gardener. Each garden a ‘work in progress’ and yet beautiful and refreshing. Rock gardens, water gardens, ponds, bridges, paths, pavilions, flowers, vegetables, arbors, fences and trellises. One gardener put out cookies and ice cold ‘mint’ water which added a refreshment of spirit and a creative touch to an already warm and inviting garden house. It was one of many details that enhanced the atmosphere and deepened my appreciation for her particular garden. I naturally gravitated to her tastes and style because they concurred with my own delights and preferences—these feelings based on my own enthusiasms, partialities and individual personality. However, each garden reflected the same ‘principles’ of hard work, diligence, patience, and ‘sowing and reaping’.

In the same way, the garden of a lifestyle of learning will be unique to each and every family but the principles will remain the same—come away and be with Jesus; develop a rich family atmosphere; learn to flow in seasons and routines; build skills of learning in natural ways and in the ‘unforced rhythms of God’s grace’; be patient for growth; and finally eat the fruit of all your labors. Your ‘garden of souls’ may emphasize the sciences while others emphasize the arts; or your garden may emphasize college while others emphasize machinery and tools—the Master Gardener directing your every step as you embrace the principles of a Lifestyle of Learning. The principles are the key to producing luscious, sweet, delicious fruit which sustains, nourishes, and strengthens for life. Walking the way of the world and a life in the flesh only produces dry, tasteless, sickening fruit that you’d want to spit out rather than swallow and in the end leaves you terribly disappointed and discouraged.

My hope in writing this article is that you will peacefully and gracefully embrace this high calling of home education and use it as an opportunity to discover your specific abilities, skills and talents; understanding His will and faithfully and diligently giving yourself to that call and vision of God for your unique family. Oh, the marvelous adventure to hear God’s voice and fully cooperate with Him. May you be blessed in your efforts; may the Lord enlarge your heart to contain His abundance; and may you ever cling to Him who strengthens and equips for His lovely purpose.

Only by the grace, strength and joy of the Master Gardener,

Susan Hitchcock—wife to Dennis and mom to 6 super sons. We are blessed to ‘tend our garden of souls’ in the country and have homeschooled all along embracing several different philosophies of education: Charlotte Mason, Christian Classical, Delight-directed and Lifestyle of Learning--emphasizing Wisdom's Way of Learning as taught by Marilyn Howshall. Our family enjoys campfires in our backyard, identifying birds, nature walks, collecting and reading old books, games, family movie night, tea time, memory making and all the other privileges that go with developing family relationships. I also have the privilege of co-moderating hsBOYS email loop. http://www.homeschoolingboys.com/

I want to acknowledge Marilyn Howshall of “Lifestyle of Learning”; Barbara Shelton of “Homeschool Oasis”; and Sherri Rimmer of the “Wisdom’s Way of Learning email loop” for their tremendous impact on our family’s life—the principles and thoughts I’ve shared are totally inspired from these lady’s influence in my life. May the Lord richly bless them!!!!

To find out more about Barb Shelton’s ministry and her wonderful “Season of Re-education and Renewing of the Mind”, please see: http://www.homeschooloasis.com
See this specific section for more information about Marilyn Howshall’s ministry: http://www.homeschooloasis.com/lol_main_pg.htm

And to find out more about Sherri Rimmer’s ministry, see this section:
http://www.homeschooloasis.com/lol_wwol_email_list.htm

More on Living the Lifestyle of Learning: Priorities in Living