Teaching Our Children Service to Others

Audio By Carbonatix

Last week my children and I were visiting the doctor in questionable part of town. (This doctor believes in caring for inner city kids, which I love!) We were in a small strip mall and I’d just loaded up on the kids when my then-3-year-old daughter Alyssa noticed a man in a wheelchair approaching us. He was an older, African American man with only one leg, thin, but with kind eyes. He motioned to me, and instead of starting my engine, I rolled down the window. “Ma’am, do you happened to have a few dollars for food? I’m so hungry.”

Personally, I don’t believe in giving out money. I’ve seen what it is used for by those whose struggle with addiction, but I will—when it is possible—help with food. “Sir, I don’t have cash to give you, but I have some food here.”

And I did! It “just so happened” that after Bible Study that morning, my study leader gave me a sack lunch because she knew I couldn’t stay for fellowship. I handed over the sandwich and cinnamon rolls. I also had donuts. You see, it also “just so happened” that I’d found a Mexican bakery that morning and had bought some special treats for my grandma. After handing over the lunch, I pulled the largest donut from the box and handed that over, too.

Showing Kids that Service is Important

“Ma’am?” the man asked, his eyes bright. “Is this cream-filled?” I told him I wasn’t sure. He didn’t wait to check. He stuck his finger into the donut and a smile lit his face. “It is!” He thanked me and then he rolled out of the way of the car and started eating that donut with gusto.

My children, then ages 6, 3, and 3, had been quiet during the whole exchange. But as soon as we pulled out, 3-
year-old Alyssa piped up. “Mom, we need to pray for that man!” And then, without hesitation, all three children began praying for him, out loud. I was so proud of my kids in that moment. We’d driven just a few blocks away, when Bella, age six, piped up next. “Mom, does that man have a home?” I told her I didn’t know.

“Mom, we have to go back. We have to put him in our car!” Tears filled her eyes. “He can live with us, Mom. We have an extra bed!” Tears filled my eyes, too, at her compassion. Yes, we did have an extra bed—the bottom bunk in her room. No, I wasn’t going to go get the man and have him sleep there, but on the ride home, we made a plan to start keeping extra snacks in the car for these situations.

As a mom, there are many things that are important. I want my kids to know how to cook and how to clean. I want them to be well-educated and respectful. I want them to love God and others. However, I don’t want them to learn to show love to be by words alone, but by DEEDS.

With my three older children, there were days I felt so guilty for “dragging them along” as I served at our local crisis pregnancy center. They also helped me watch the kids of teen moms, folded baby clothes, and served in children’s church.

No Regrets

Looking back now, teaching my kids to serve (which was what I was doing), has turned out to be one of the greatest benefits of their lives. Now all three are adults and showing service to God through their everyday lives. Cory serves his wife and children. Leslie is serving as a wife and mother and teaching in Europe. Nathan reaches many people through his service as an author and serves by tutoring my younger children.
Service isn’t something they do to earn brownie points, but something that took root deep within them. How? By seeing me reaching out to the person that God has put before me, offering what I have, and urging them to do the same.

Service doesn’t mean you help everyone; it means there is one person who God is going to put into your path. You show the love of Jesus when you see that person not as a bother, but as someone who needs a glimpse of Jesus’ love that day. What could be greater than teaching our children that?

Additional Resources

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