A Christ-Like Heart All Year Long
- Wynter PItts
- Parenting
If you are anything like me, there is no trace of “The Holiday Season” left to be found in your home. By now, even your children’s new toys are blending right in with last year’s supply. The only thing that seems to remain is a few stubborn pieces of that stringy icicle décor that your kids insist on keeping up. All other decorations have made their way back into a box, into the attic or out the door! Are you with me!?
Now can I ask you an honest question? Did the spirit of giving seem to sneak out of the door with the trash bags of crumbled wrapping paper and plastic encasings?
I will be the first to admit that I am guilty.
Leading up to the holidays, my brain was constantly churning up new ideas and activities to teach my girls the importance of giving. From baking cookies for our new neighbors, making a thankful calendar or sending a special gift to our favorite ministries, I was on a constant mission to be sure my kids understood that Christmas is not about “getting.” I wanted them to understand that anything they opened on Christmas morning was an expression of how much Jesus loves them and not an entitlement. Now that the season is over and the true meaning of Christmas has been engrained, I have to ask myself, “What lesson am I teaching my girls about appreciating their everyday lives?” And ultimately, “Am I teaching them to have the heart of Christ all year long?”
The Bible teaches us, amongst MANY other WONDERFUL THINGS, that Christ was compassionate, selfless, and generous- Caring for the weak, the sick and the poor. If I truly want to teach my girls to be “Christ-like” then I need to engrain these aspects of His character all year long.
One of my prayers for myself and for my girls comes from the Hillsong United Song “Hosanna”:
“Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours”
Will you join me in this prayer for our girls? Pray with your girls and discuss ways they can get involved with helping others. Whether its counting pennies, helping a sibling, or greeting visitors at your church- let’s show our girls that they are not too young to make a difference daily for The Kingdom.
Here are a few ideas to help jumpstart your process of year round giving!
Find opportunities to serve in your community:
Help bring an end to slavery-The A21 Campaign and 21 ways to help:
Sponsor a Child in need with Word Vision:
Get involved and support a “kid-friendly” ministry like CBH Ministries “…because Kids Need Christ”:
Our For Girls Like You Magazine 2012 Spring issue highlighted Godly characteristics and ways our girls can “show Jesus” with their actions and decisions…there are so many ways your girls SHOW JESUS all year long!
