Alyssa and friends (2006)
Every year our kids have to do some
community service to earn some "stamps for camp". I think that it's
usually the last requirement they fill, in order to earn their full
scholarship to go to summer camp. One year (pictured above), Alyssa and
her friends made dog biscuits from scratch, and then took them to the
area Humane Society, for the homeless dogs. Very sweet idea, but oh
what a lovely mess they made.
I'm praying that as Alyssa and Kyle
get older they don't continue to need "incentives" in order to serve
others in our community, whether it be in our church or otherwise. I
want their hearts to be moved to help others when they sense a need, or
give of their time because it's a passion, and be a blessing to the
hungry, hurting, or hopeless.
This past Saturday many from our church gathered to rake leaves for people who needed help (picture below). What a joy it was to work side-by side with others to accomplish something helpful for someone else.
I want Alyssa and Kyle to make a difference in the life of someone else because God has made a difference in theirs.
Lord, give our children a
servant's heart. Move them to help those who need a helping hand. May
their spirit be marked by compassion for the hurting and hungry world
around them. Whatever they do for one of the least of these, they
truly do for you (Matthew 25:40). Give them your eyes, dear Jesus,
that they may see the world as you do, and make their hearts tender like
yours. Serving others is serving you, and you will not forget the ways
they show love to those around them (Hebrews 6:10). You will make
Alyssa and Kyle's joy complete when they are like-minded, having the
same love as you have, being one in spirit and purpose. I pray that
they do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than themselves. (Philippians 2:2-3) May Alyssa
and Kyle's lives be lived in honor of you, and may your glory be
revealed in and through them.
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