We are a month into 2007 and we continue to do random acts of kindness for people, both strangers and people we know (see December 2006 post). It has been an amazing lesson for my kids (and admittedly, myself). A few of the things we have done this month...
1- We left some pennies on the horses at Meijer so other kids could ride: This seems small but it was ALL Parker's idea. I was impressed that he thought of it.. It only costs a penny to ride the horses but do you know how many times I have told my kids they could ride the horses when we were done shopping, and then I couldn't find a penny! After our shopping excursion 2 weeks ago, Parker suggested we leave pennies on the horses before we left so other kids could ride... What a great idea right? Especially for the mom who has a cart full of groceries and her diaper bag is loaded with everything but diapers and her wallet is buried somewhere on the bottom of it all. The funniest thing was that we called it our "secret mission" and Parker wanted to "hide out" afterwards and see if any kids used the pennies. Sure enough, a mom with 2 toddlers came by and used them!
2- Helping a stranger: This was a spontaneous act but while at the post office one day, we saw an older lady struggling to get some boxes out of her car. It was cold, the parking lot was slippery and she was pretty elderly. I asked the kids if they would want to help her which Parker VERY excitedly jumped at. So, we offered to help her carry in a box (and an envelope since Lillie was also eager to help) and afterward the lady introduced herself and asked Parker and Lillie their names. As we were getting ready to leave, she held out her hand and said, "It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Parker and I think you are a fine young man." He looked so proud and I was once again reminded of his love language (words of affirmation). He just thrives on praise and encouragement! That night we read the story of The Good Samaritan and my plan was to relate it to the old lady. Well, wouldn't ya know, Parker actually brought it up before I did! He's really getting it! Oh me, a mom, of little faith sometimes.
3- Warming hearts- It's been VERY cold here the past few days. So cold actually, that Parker suggested we just stay inside and not go anywhere (you know it's cold then) We spent the afternoon drawing and cutting out hearts,decorating them and making little scarves to wrap around them. We then sent our "heart warmers" to several people we know who would LOVE to get some mail. This was messy but oh so fun and it actually warmed my heart too... I think this is going to be an extended project that we will do again in the next few days (the cold weather is here to stay for a bit) You never know, you may be a lucky recipient of a heartwarmer!
4- Closet Give Away- This was a little out of necessity but hopefully the lesson learned here was "Share what we have b/c really, it is not ours. God gave us everything we play with and wear!" After Christmas and then Lillie's birthday, I felt it was time to clean out our closets and give some "stuff" away and make room for the new. I thought I might hit some opposition and even contemplated about doing this "in secret", after the kids went to bed. The more I thought about it though, the more I wanted them to help and learn that holding onto things is unhealthy and not to mention not Christian-like. I actually had to stop Parker from giving away toys he loves and plays with! Lillie was a bit young for this activity proven by her naive willingness to put her blankies and Dora doll in the box (if she truly knew where they were going, I think she would have run the other way) Anyway, Parker and I sorted through his toys and clothes and made a box to give to friends, one to give to strangers (Goodwill), and one for garbage. We got rid of A LOT of things and afterward we prayed and thanked Jesus for ALL our blessings (this led to a vocabulary lesson on the word "blessing" (which in itself is another blog!).
We are trying... really trying to do something everyday to make this winter more bearable, more enjoyable, not so cold (literally and figuratively), and definitely a learning experience. In the scheme of things, our kids are only young and impressionable for a short time and I am attempting to make the most of that time. My prayer is that they will take something from these days together and carry it with them the rest of their lives.
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