Last Sunday I broke my pinkie toe, all week long my husband has been at church for the annual Christmas Program, at work myself we had 5 Christmas programs - on top of the regular things that go on daily.
To say that I was ready for the weekend (even though it promised to be just as crazy!) would be an understatement.
Saturday morning found my daughter and I taking little brother to my parents so they could watch him. Her and I then went to her 3 year check up. She is healthy and bright! She acted shy, but considering the craziness in the week prior that is not unexpected.
The rest of the weekend has been wonderful. I attended our church's Christmas Program, sewed a shirt for my daughter (my third project on my sewing machine!), went in depth on the Messiah's Star, was inspired by why Jesus is our greatest gift this season, cooked for my family and baked brownies with my daughter.
When history looks back on December 12th & 13th, 2015 nothing we did will be recorded for children to learn about in school.
But for my daughter, even though this weekend was filled with normal (for this time of year) events many lessons were imparted on her. Someone my husband and I both know posted an image on Facebook stating that high school should teach: balancing a check book, sewing a button, changing a tire, etc. It caused us to have a conversation, and initially we both agreed but then the thought came to us: if the school's teach that, what do the parents teach their children then? I recognize that a few generations back family dynamic's changes when many women had to go into the workforce. But with that shift in family dynamic's, many things that were once taught in the home were no longer taught. Home economic class's tried to help bridge the gap, but society changed its standards on what basic's people were expected to know, so home ec went to the wayside.
The result is many people grew up, went through school and are now in society without some basic life skills. In our household we are big on being "throw backs." I love gardening, sewing, canning, cooking, and pretty much anything related to the domestic's. My husband has taken it upon himself to learn carpentry.
We are imparting these skills on our children. Our daughter helps with cooking, sorting laundry, and cleans up her playroom. Today our son "assisted" his father in changing out the loads of laundry. Obviously at 13 1/2 months of age our son cant do too much, but he can observe. And you would be surprised what a child observes. Case in point: driving home last week from work, kids and I got stuck in traffic in front of McDonald's. We don't eat there, so my children have never experienced their food, or would have any knowledge of their menu. My daughter exclaimed from the back seat, pointing at the restaurant, "They make pancakes!" Now, again, we have never eaten there, but she was right. How? Kids at school have brought pancakes from McDonald's and eaten them in the morning room at school. Now my daughter cannot read, but some how she made the connection - probably the golden arches on the bags and then she saw them on the sign by the street. Something in passing, she normally only spends no more than 15 minutes a day in that room, and most of our parent's don't send breakfast, but just the few times she has seen it stuck with her.
Now I share all that to share this. The area around my children's pediatrician office has a very present homeless population. When my children and I left the house yesterday I grabbed a blueberry muffin (made fresh that morning) and a banana for my breakfast. But, as per the usual, I didn't make time to eat it. So after my daughter got the all clear at her check up, we headed home. At the main intersection before the highway there was a gentleman standing with a sign. Well, I didn't have any money (I rarely carry cash on me), but I did have that food. I will say, that normally, being a woman, I don't roll my window down for anyone - I have heard too many stories. Then you add my child being in the car, my gut reaction would be to double check that the doors are locked. But I did something different yesterday morning. I grabbed the muffin and banana, rolled my window down and gave it to the gentleman. He thanked me, said Merry Christmas and he went back to the corner.
Abigail asked why we were feeding him. I explained that not everyone has a home or food like we do and sometimes they need help. I also told her that Jesus tells us to feed those who are hungry, but not only that, but sometimes, when you help those in need, you are actually hosting angels. Hebrews 13:2 NIV, "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." Something in what I said resonated in her, because she was satisfied with my answer.
So, like I said, nothing major happened, but maybe, just maybe I planted a seed in my daughter, a seed that, with repeated exposure, will grow into a desire to help those in need. In January Stone has his 15 month check up, and it being January it will be cold. Maybe I will be more mindful and I can be better prepared and share more than a muffin and a banana with someone in need. The Bible has much to say about helping those in need:
- Matthew 25:35 (NKJV) - for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in
- Proverbs 28:27 (NKJV) - He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses
- Proverbs 14:31 (NKJV) - He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.
Be careful little eyes what you see
Its the second glance that ties your hands
As darkness pulls the strings
It's meant as a warning, be mindful of what you put before your eye's, but can be an inspiration too. We must be cautious of what we expose ourselves, and our families, too. But we also need to make sure we expose our families to the works of the Gospel. We need to feed the homeless, serve at church and in our community, help the elderly, and tell other's Jesus love them. Our children need to see us living out the love of Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment