The Greatest Lesson Ever Taught

Danielle Heckenkamp reflects on the soul, our most prized possession, and how to teach this vital lesson to our children so they may advance in sanctity. 

Our Most Prized Possession 

We all remember the days of kindergarten show-and-tell. Maybe your children are going through it right now, or it was only last year that your little ones were finding objects to fit the weekly themes. For some mothers, that season is over. But it’s easy to recall the wonder in our children’s eyes as they searched the house for an item of a certain color, one that began with a particular letter of the alphabet, or one of their most prized possessions. Many lessons are taught through this age-old game, but surprisingly this simple game can lead us to a greater spiritual understanding of our purpose on this earth.  

In one of my recent high school catechism classes, I asked my students what their most prized possession was. Being older, they knew I was aiming for something religious or spiritual in nature. Most of their answers were spot on as they referenced their most prized possessions as the Catholic Faith, the Holy Eucharist, and so forth. But I was looking for one specific answer. I wanted to lead them to the fact that their most prized possession is their eternal soul. 

We need the Catholic Faith, the guidance of the Church, and the Sacraments, as these all lead us to Christ and to sainthood. But the one thing we have that stays with us in this life, and into the next life, is our soul. If we live our lives recognizing that nothing else matters, other than the state of our soul and preserving it, then all our words, actions, thoughts, and prayers will flow like a calm river toward God. 

Lessons in Charity 

As mothers, we have a unique opportunity to share the love of God and the beautiful traditions and teachings of our Catholic Faith with our children. The impact of mothers on their families, and on society, is undeniable. There are many opportunities to teach our children about love, share traditions, pass on the Catholic Faith, and raise them to be morally good people who desire sainthood.

While motherhood is steeped in love and joy, it is also a means to grow in sanctity through self-denial, charity, and patience. It isn’t just the spoken lessons, but the love we share and our examples that we pass on for our children to thrive. Out of all the lessons learned and taught to our children, which one is the most important? What is the greatest lesson we can pass on to our children that will benefit them in this life and guarantee their sainthood? 

Choosing to Love 

The greatest lesson we can pass on to our children is the importance of a soul in sanctifying grace and preserving that relationship with God. Everything is a gift from God, and we are only stewards of these gifts to use for God’s glory. This is how we should view our precious souls. We have been given them as a gift from God, and through our choices and growth in virtue, we have an opportunity to advance in sanctity.  

We know that God’s gifts are limitless, but we must accept them and use them for good. Out of all His gifts, there is one that plays a significant role in our path towards sainthood. And that is the freedom to choose His love, goodness, and truth. True freedom is not the ability to do as we please, but to choose what is good and true. In giving God our love, we grow closer to Him and desire His will above our own. This is true love and the path toward sainthood. By seeking God through our choices, we can accept His graces and preserve the state of our soul. 

The Greatest Lesson Ever Taught 

We can share this love for God and teach our children the importance of preserving their souls first by our example. Their little eyes soak up our behaviors and words. Preserving our souls in grace happens first through prayer and our relationship with God, but also through the love we give to those in need, our reverence for the Sacraments, our self-denial, and how we accept suffering. In these daily lessons, our children will learn how to preserve and value their souls. 

The greatest lesson ever taught is one of love. It is to understand that our most prized possession does not contain earthly glamour or a worldly reward. As mothers, we have a vital role in teaching our children to love God with their whole hearts and to love their neighbors as well. Such a task is not easy and not without great sacrifice, but we have the means to move the world towards virtue and Christ’s love. 

Nothing is guaranteed in this life, except for death. Rather than ignore death, it’s vital to teach our children that a life of grace and love for God can lead us directly to happiness in heaven for eternity. They have no possession of higher value than their soul and preserving it through grace and virtue to one day earn its eternal reward in heaven.  

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Copyright 2026 Danielle Heckenkamp
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