This past month as we have been a part of the “30 Days of Intentional Acts of Kindness with Your Kids”, my heart has been encouraged by the way my children have become more loving toward each other. Will, who is five, has even had some sweet suggestions of kind things we can do for family and friends.
I’ve also been inspired by the ideas I’ve seen on other blogs–it’s so wonderful to see what God has taught each of us through this experience. It’s definitely caused me to be more aware of the Holy Spirit’s prompting in my life! I’m so thankful for Jenae’s creativity and kind heart in inspiring us in these acts of kindness.
This past week, we were thankful to be able to be a part of my grandpa’s 84th birthday (on Thanksgiving!) and the kids enjoyed drawing him pictures, lighting candles and singing to him. We made cookies as a surprise for Daddy when he came home from work yesterday and sent some letters to friends overseas. We also “bought” some chicks and milk for a week from the Samaritan’s Purse gift catalog. When we noticed a lady with two small children and a full cart in Walmart, we were happy to let her go ahead of us in line.
None of these things are shared so that you can see how “good” or “holy” we are but rather to encourage you that when we make it a point to deliberately show kindness to others (and each other), our children can’t help but catch on!
I loved this quote from Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s book 20 and Counting (which I’m reading for the 2nd time), “We believe teaching our children to develop a ministry mindset begins in the heart of the family, with children learning to serve one another so they later will know how to reach out ot others outside our home.”
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
WANT TO SPEAK WITH GRACE TO YOUR KIDS INSTEAD OF YELLING?
