GIFTS – WEEK #2

The post this week is a little different but it has me wanting to go back to rearing children and trying these ideas. This is definitely giving a gift of "self."

Perhaps what sparked the idea is the fact that we are realizing more and more that we can’t do quite as much physical work as we once did. Since we’ve both been knocked for a loop with whatever it is that we’ve had for several weeks, we have not had the energy to do nearly as much as we normally do.

At first your children might balk over this idea, but I do believe once they get involved they will enjoy it.

Here’s the idea/suggestion:

Have a family meeting and select an older person or couple from your church or neighborhood who does not have family to go to or who plans to come to them this holiday season. Invite them for Christmas dinner with your family. If you aren’t used to having "strangers" for your family gatherings it might be a little unsettling to think of having someone besides family. However, once the festivities begin I can assure you you will be happy you did. Have the children to make cards or some sort of gifts for them. Then......here’s where the entire family might resist! This is time consuming and a lot of work. BUT not only will it teach your children something valuable but will remind you of what giving is all about.

With the entire family along for the ride, plan a year or giving to this person/couple. List some things your family is willing to do such as washing windows (this is getting harder and harder as the years add up), scrubbing the bathroom (most will balk at this one, but it has to be done and will teach your children to "work with their hands"), mopping floors, cleaning the kitchen top to bottom, raking leaves and such like. Then make a poster (this doesn’t have to be large) with each month listed. Give it to them and tell them you would like them to give it thought, fill out the poster for one project a month and give the poster back to you when finished. They can wait till after Christmas so that they can think about it and get it back to you. When you get the poster back you can decide when all of the family can do the chore and contact your friends to make sure it is a good time for them.

 

 

Two sweet girls cleaning windows for their grandmother.

On my! I can hear Momma and Daddy whining about time and extra work and all that stuff. But, hey! What are we doing here anyway. We are teaching our children not only to work but we’re teaching them the JOY of giving of self. So many parents and grandparents are excellent it teaching their children/grandchildren the joy of receiving, but few are teaching the joy of giving. At least this is my observation of the many families I know. There are exceptions of course.

I can assure you that each one of you will benefit from this. Soon you will establish a relationship with these people (even if you have chosen your own parents, grandparents or great-grandparents) that you never imagined existed. The older folks will fall in love with the children and the children with them. Older people love to talk about the past, so encourage your children to ask questions and then truly listen. Most children eat this up.

 

 

Most older people enjoy talking about their youth and many of the younger generation "eat it up."

Yes! I’m talking about once a month here. Perhaps one or two hours a month to help others. Is that asking too much? I think not. And when you see the happiness it brings you will be amazed. But, when you feel the happiness and joy it brings to you and your children you will wonder why you didn’t start this sooner.

 

Ps 71:9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

Ps 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation your might to all who are to come.

Prov 23:22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Prov 12:14 From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.

Prov 14:23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Prov 18:9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

Prov 21:25 The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.

Eph 4:28 but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Col 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

2 Thess 3:10 "If a man will not work, he shall not eat.

Until next week.....have a good one!