Some weeks go smoothly and others don’t. This week I am having one of those weeks that nothing seems to go according to MY plan. I’m learning when this happens to just let go and follow God’s lead. Courtney and I tried to Skype Monday night but our connection was terrible and the quality……well there just wasn’t any. So unfortunately we don’t have a video for you today. On Tuesday my sweet OB-GYN changed my due date and made it a little sooner which totally threw me into MAJOR nesting mode and then Tuesday evening I found out that my dad was just diagnosed with cancer. I tell you all this because I never want you to think that Courtney and I live these perfect lives, have perfect children, perfect husbands and are perfect mothers and wives.

We aren’t.

I’m not.

I struggle.

I worry.

I cry.

I cling to Jesus and His plan for my life and the lives of my dear loved ones.

And you know what? I was given a precious gift this week. I was given a reminder to CHERISH the time I have with my loved ones NOW. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Cherish our time with them and be thankful for the time God has given them to us.

I was able to have dinner tonight with my dad and family and I soaked in the moment. I looked a little longer, paid attention a little better and squeezed a little tighter when we hugged good-by.

Tonight I soaked in the moment.

Tonight I was reminded that sometimes blessings come to us through sad news and tears.

Tonight I’m praying for healing, trusting in God’s plan and am thankful for the reminder to CHERISH all the loved ones God has placed in my life.

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Ok, enough about me let’s get back to discussing the Gift of Service- Chapters 17 & 18

I LOVE what Sally says on pg 181, “Giving our children the gift of service is not really a matter of teaching them what to do. It’s more a matter of helping them look at other people through Jesus’ eyes and respond as he did.”

Praying over our children, as well as ourselves, that we will see people the way Jesus sees them is so important. Over and over again in the bible we see Jesus reaching out and helping those who were considered social outcasts. We read that Jesus had compassion while the disciples wanted to send the hurting, seeking and helpless away.

Do you truly want to make a difference in this world? Then love others the way Jesus did. Serve others the way Jesus did.

Love without expecting it back.

Serve without expecting to be served in return.

“In the world of evangelical Christianity, where ‘strategic ministry’ is a common catch phrase and ‘moving with the movers’ is often held up as a principle of leadership, we need to be careful that we don’t become like the Pharisees. They were informed and educated men but useless to the cause of Christ precisely because they lacked compassion and humility.”- Sally Clarkson, pg 182

As mothers, we have to go further than just educating our children in the “Whys” of why we are called to serve others and instead just start doing it with them. Turning what they know into compassion. Moving from strictly head knowledge to heart knowledge. Simply knowing that we are called to serve others isn’t enough. We have to demonstrate it and do it with our families.

I believe we can make our “worlds” to clean and to perfect where we don’t encourage an environment where our children can develop hearts that are compassionate and humble towards others. Allowing our children to interact with others who are not like them either in looks, in needs, in abilities etc. helps them see others needs and allows them opportunities for compassion and mercy.

What are some ways you are teaching your children to serve others?

Next week we will finish the Gift of Service by reading chapters 19 & 20 as well as finish the Ministry of Motherhood book! I can’t believe it is almost over already!

For those of you who are wondering, Courtney and I will announce the fall session the following week……we are currently working on it right now.

Until next time…

Love God Greatly!