SPIRIT TRAINING: Connecting to the Community

Bustling around to get every task complete really was a way of life, especially when company was coming! Life with our six children was full of activity—eventful, engaging, and exuberant! But on this particular morning, my “to do” list looked like it was going to win over my “got done” list! I was preparing our home, cleaning and cooking, for we were to have the great delight of having to dinner a missionary couple, Rob and Deborah Knight.

One way that we connected our kids not only to the community but to God’s purpose, is that each one had a missionary that was his own. Praying, saving change, learning about that country, each one had a vested interest in one particular thing God was doing. Whenever possible we would connect with that individual or family to build a friendship, a relationship.

So here I was…about 10:00 in the morning getting ready to wash the floor. Of course I hadn’t showered yet because I was scrubbing and cleaning….no make up, old clothes. Furniture moved out…check…mop and bucket….check. Unexpectedly, the doorbell rang. “Who could that be?” I wondered as I quickly went to the door, not even stopping to drop the mop. There to my amazement was our dinner guest! I began to awkwardly bumble something about the time, and weren’t they supposed to come for dinner, and I wasn’t ready yet for them yet!

Well, this was one of my lessons in Kingdom hospitality. Yes, preparation is important, but people are more important. As missionaries, Rob and Deborah’s time was really not their own, especially in the states when they were touching base with so many supporters. Their time slot for our family was changed, and this is when they could come.

Deborah graciously took the mop from me as she was explaining the situation. What an unexpected day….we cooked and cleaned together, ate an early dinner, and learned a valuable lesson.

Rob and Deborah were Will’s missionaries, but we were all blessed. Dinnertime was rich. We heard first hand about our loving God reaching out to an unknown people. We connected, in a small but vital way, with Jesus’ own mission—to seek and to save the lost and we were intentionally developing relationships between my children and people of faith, people of strength, in the church community.

Gathered tips on connecting our kids to the community:

Marnie McCollum (B’ham, AL) says to take your kids overseas, if the Lord opens doors. . .you’ll never regret it. Marv Behr (Big Sandy, TX) encourages us to “get children involved in ministry with you, i.e., go to a nursing home once a week” or something like that. Ed and Kelly Goodwin started inter-generational relationships for their kids when they were small. Through the years they involved their adult friends in their children’s lives. An example? When their son turned 16, one man picked him up for lunch then relayed the son to another man who had planned a fun activity; after that, a third man took him for a treat. Each man took opportunity to share his heart with the son. That evening, they all celebrated his 16^th birthday together. Quote from Alfred Tennyson: “I am part of all that I have met.”

Question for next week: How do you train your kids for the long haul in their use of money?

Patricia Jajeh Currie © 2008 ParentWisdomNetTM

SPIRITUAL TRAINING: The Intentional Example

Patricia wrapped the baby up in blankets; and with her purse over one arm, her daytimer in her hand, she carried the baby to the car and put little Will into his car seat. Then she came back inside to get Anna and Patrick. Anna had her doll wrapped in blankets, her purse over her arm, and her little “daytimer” in her hand. She was ready to go because she had an example that showed her what “ready” looked like.

The old adage, “Actions speak louder than words,” is still true. This is why it is so important that we allow our children to see us honor God’s word, pray, worship, and fellowship. These things are “better caught than taught.”

Genesis 1: 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,” (according to God’s kind).

Originally, we were created to be Godkind. In Adam’s sin, we became mankind. We reproduce according to our kind. God designed it this way on purpose. We will reproduce in our children the kind of people that we are. Building the patterns and habits that bring spiritual growth in our own lives will sow seeds into our children that bear the same kind of fruit. Because of Christ, we can still reproduce “Godkind.”

I am sure that you have read the following poem, but I have included it anyway. It’s worth having and re-reading on occasion.

Little eyes are watching you

There are little eyes upon you
and they're watching night and day.
There are little ears that quickly
take in every word you say.

There are little hands all eager
to do anything you do;
And a little boy who's dreaming
of the day he'll be like you.

You're the little fellow's idol,
you're the wisest of the wise.
In his little mind about you
no suspicions ever rise.

He believes in you devoutly,
holds all you say and do;
He will say and do, in your way
when he's grown up just like you.

There's a wide eyed little fellow
who believes you're always right;
and his eyes are always opened,
and he watches day and night.

You are setting an example
every day in all you do;
For the little boy who's waiting
to grow up to be like you.

Gathered tips on setting an example: Betty Longino told me years ago not to place anything on top of the Bible. She said, “You show honor for God’s word by how you treat the Bible physically.” Keep the Bible on top.

When you prepare your tithe, include your child in the process. Take time to explain how you are honoring the Lord by giving 10% of your income. Include him often; let him be there when you give.

Melissa Collins of Mobile told me about how blessed she was to see her children turn to prayer whenever new situations arise for them or the family. I asked her how she taught them to do that. Her answer: "I guess that 's what they have seen us do."

Question for next week: What are ways that you involve your children in the believing community? Church? Activities? People in your home? Let us know. We’ll pass it on.

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