G is for Giving

Parent’s Corner- “For the Kids!” Series

Parent’s Corner began as a communication tool to inform parents what had been taught in Children’s Sunday school classes on a given Sunday morning, providing passages to read together and discussion questions to facilitate conversation between parents and their children during the week.  We have just finished Year 3 of our curriculum series.  The decision has been made to press “pause” in our Children’s ministry classes before beginning again with Year 1.  While we are paused, I will be changing the focus of Parent’s Corner from curriculum notes, to teachable moments. 

 “For the Kids!”

This collection of topical journal entries will focus on teachable moments that parents can have with their kids.  They will be grounded in Scripture, seasoned by stories and experiences, and distributed with love and prayers for many sweet times together as a family.  In an effort to be organized and purposeful, I’ll be choosing topics by going through the alphabet.  As I write this, please know that I don’t claim to have all of the answers.  Not at all!  What I do have is a genuine desire to have a teachable spirit, and a heart for the precious kiddos in our body. 

G is for Giving

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work, we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Romans 13:7

What do you think about when you think of the word “giving?”  What do you give to others?  Presents, flowers, cards or letters?  How about time?  Do you know that time can be a great gift to give as well?  How about talent?  Giving of your time and talents can be a wonderful way to show God’s love to someone else.  (Kids, let me let you in on a little secret. . . If you ever want to give your Mom or Dad or Grandparent a great gift, tell them you want to spend time with them!  Trust me, as a mom, that is one of my favorite gifts to receive from my kids!”  

In this verse, Paul tells us that giving of ourselves- our time and our energy to work hard- is a blessing to the weak and fulfills a promise of Jesus that it is more blessed to give than to receive.  When you are giving a gift like this to someone, pray for God’s wisdom to know type of a gift might be a blessing to them.  It might time, like sitting and talking or asking them questions about their life.  It might be work, like taking care of a pet, weeding a garden, or helping with an errand or housework.  It might be more tangible, like bringing a meal, delivering groceries, or purchasing an item that would bring them joy.  If you spend some time thinking about it, I’m sure you could think of a perfect gift for someone in your life who needs your help.  By giving your help to them, you are actually showing them God’s love for them through your actions.  It’s a win win! 

Family Challenge this week…Who can your family help this week?  Do you have a neighbor who could use a batch of cookies or help in the yard?  Do you have a family member who would love to spend some time on the phone with you?  Do you have extra items in your closet or toys in your bins that are still perfectly good but that you don’t need any more?  Consider giving those to someone or donating to a local charity.  Shameless plug. . . Operation Christmas Child is a great way to be a blessing!  Check out the church website or the table in the lobby for more information.