State College Homeschool Graduation Speech
June 9, 2006
Mary Sellers
Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak this evening. Even if I weren’t speaking, I’d still feel like I had a part in this graduation since I had the amazing privilege of teaching several of the graduating seniors. Working with you and getting to know you were such a blessing, and even though I got to see some of you in SFEA plays, I wish I could have known all the seniors just as well.
Thinking about this address stirred up my own graduation and early college memories, and I was reminded of a story. One of my good friends went to a Christian college. Her roommate was complaining bitterly one day about all the things they weren’t allowed to do at the college, the curfew, required daily chapel, the dress code, and so on. In disgust, the roommate said, “It’s like we’re in a greenhouse!” My friend looked at her for a moment and then replied, “Yes, but what a wonderful place to grow.”
You’ve heard the same thing said of homeschooling: you’re being sheltered, you aren’t out in the “real world,” your parents are being too protective. You have been living your life inside a greenhouse. Why? Well, why do gardeners use greenhouses? So that they can give their plants the best possible chance that they can to grow once they are planted outside, so that the plants can develop strong roots and healthy leaves. They keep them in the greenhouse to protect them from bugs, drought, and cold until they are mature enough to handle these adversities. In a similar way, your parents have done the same for you.
Because of the opportunities you’ve had as a homeschooler, you’ve been allowed to grow in safety without “the bug” of one-size-fits-all education, a drought of Christian values, and the cold of being more interested in your friends than you are in your family. You’ve also been given the chance to grow in safety, so that you could find out what kind of plant you are. So many graduates these days have no idea of their gifts, talents, or even likes and dislikes when it comes to their future. They are barely seeds out of the packet! In contrast, you have had the opportunity to understand how God created you and to discover and learn what areas interest you and what your strengths are. Just as we wouldn’t expect a corn plant to suddenly producing roses, we wouldn’t expect Josh to head of to ballet school or Carrie to begin running a jackhammer for PenDot!
But now, it’s time for the greenhouse doors to be opened and for you to be planted outside. In leaving the greenhouse, you encounter a paradox: not only are you still plants, but you have to become the gardener. Your parents have tended and nurtured you well, but it is time for you to grow on your own, whether you are heading off to college or will be staying at home.
What will you do? How will you grow? There are three areas which you may want to consider as a focus for your growth. You should grow in Christlikeness, Character, and in Communication. (There, I got my alliteration in!)
How does a plant grow? It takes in water and sunshine and nutrients. It needs good soil and the absence of weeds and poisons. How do you grow in Christlikeness? You already know the things you need to do: read your Bible, attend a fellowship of believers, pray, confess…these things are not new to you. There are lots of examples of Christian growth and life in the Bible which are plant images. But now, you will have to be responsible for them. Did Dad have devotions every night? When you are away from home, you’ll have to have your own devotions. Was your devotion and memory time part of your school work or your daily checklist? Now these things will just have to be part of your life. Did your parents take you to church both Sunday and Wednesdays both? You might have to find your own ride and a new church as well. For those of you who struggle with initiative, some of these responsibilities will be difficult.
Perhaps you are pretty good about initiative, but initiative isn’t the only character quality to master. Is your room always a mess? Are you late to every appointment? Do you struggle with anger? These character issues aren’t going to vanish with the Saxon math and AP prep. What will be missing, especially if you go away to school, is someone watching over you in these areas. You will need to continue the good work your parents have begun so that you can become fully mature, fit for every good work. It’s been said that character is even more important than education when it comes to the success in the work world. Homeschoolers in general are known for being more advanced academically. Many times, homeschoolers have better-developed characters as well. But is being better than the average good enough? Would it be good enough if your tomato plant grew tall and had deep green leaves and no tomatoes? You know the areas where you need to improve, where you need to mature to reach your full potential. Continue the good work!
Right now, I bet you are pretty close with your parents and siblings. You probably have some great friends and lots of people you love and who love you at church. They’ve held you accountable in those character struggles. They’ve prayed for you and encouraged you in your spiritual journey. But, what will happen when you move away? Who will hold you accountable? Who will you turn to when you are having a tough day? Will you be able to share everything with your sister like you do now? Unless you take responsibility for communication—phone calls, emails, letters, visits—you will more than likely find that the close relationships you have now will grow distant. And, if you don’t approach others and make new friends, you won’t have anyone to fill in the empty spaces. You’ve heard many stories of friends who have drifted apart, of brothers and sister who only see each other at Christmas and only call on the other’s birthday. Rebekah and Jonathan shared some wonderful memories tonight of their friendship. Graduation doesn’t mean the end, but it does mane that your current relationships might be more difficult.
You also need to choose your new friends wisely. Does she help you grow, or does she go against many of the values you hold dear? Is he Miracle-Gro or Roundup?
There always seems to be a lot a graduate is faced with—jobs, college, saying good-bye—and to lecture you about even more that you’ll have to do once you turn the tassel hardly seems fair on such a joyous occasion. Yes, you’ll have a lot to think about and a lot to do. But, there are so many who have gone successfully before you that you need not worry. The verse I had planned to share tonight is serendipitously on the front of the program. It reminds us of God’s promise: “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Call on God, pray to Him, seek and find the Lord—is there any better way to live and to grow?
Thank you.