Thursday, September 25, 2008
tales of . . .
compassion ~ Of all the good character traits floating around out there, this is one that I try very hard to instill in our boys. It is so easy to take for granted the things we enjoy! Each morning during our prayer time, I am careful to thank God that we have a home, beds, clothing, and food; things which many of the world and some in our own country do not have. As of late, the boys and I have been working on "compassion" projects following one of the character traits we are studying in this incredible book. As Americans, I think it is easy to see what we do not have rather than viewing life through the lens of blessings and contentment. As the old saying goes, "Riches won't make you happy." Through our studies we have discovered a beautiful definition of compassion ~ "Feeling others' hurts enough to do something for them which may not be convenient for me." That is powerful! It is easy to give when we do not have to extend at all, but as David stated, we should not give to the Lord that which costs us nothing! Admittedly, God is working on me in this area. Due to our commitment that I will be at home with our children, we have done a lot of scraping while Troy was in grad school. And it was scraping like you couldn't imagine! :-) Yet. . .we are still better off than most of the world! Through this experience, I feel like I have been gently reminded of how little I really need to live, and that true treasures are stored in Heaven - not in the house in which we live, the car we drive, or the clothes we wear. Yes, I think we should do our best to be presentable to promote a good testimony, but it is easy to carry that too far. So, to make a long story short to keep a long post long, I have decided to always have the boys work on a compassion project. Bless their little hearts, they have been raking leaves, doing other outside work,
making snowcones to sell to the neighbors,
baking cookies to raise extra money,
and then baking some more cookies. They have also been blessed by some who "let the kids keep the change." :-)
The boys were thrilled to reach their first goal:
Food for Poor Family, Iran
$25.00Many Iranian Christians lose their jobs when they become believers. With no one willing to hire them, Christians find it extremely difficult to care for their families. Your gift will go toward items such as rice, cooking oil, sugar, tea, and other essentials for one family, helping them through difficult times.
The second is still a work in progress but is through this organization. They were so excited to go to the store and purchase many items for other children. I love seeing the happiness they receive just thinking about the joy they will bring to complete strangers in another part of the world. I hope they never forget that feeling. . .
Name:
17 Comments:
Please feel free to share any organizations you use to give. I am always interested in finding new ones.
Martha, this was a nice post. Do you ever get the overwhelming feeling that there are so many good things to teach our children...that I hope we can get them all taught what they need to be...to be what God wants them to be in life? =)
Thanks for your nice comment. I would NOT be able to make it without my older children's help. When they are gone with Daddy and I'm home alone with Elijah...I nearly die. Elijah is still adjusting to Colombia...and now is getting 2 teeth so he is GLAD that he has 3 older sibblings to help bounce, hold, jiggle, and push him around in his walker. =)
Cute pic of your little boy on the post below. I too love his serious face while wearing those goofy glasses. =)
I love this post, Martha! We have talked much about the need for teaching our boys to REALLY work, and to understand the blessing of giving to others. God will bless you for your faithfulness to their little hearts and the rest of us are blessed, as usual, by your creativity!
All I can say is, "Awesome! Good for you and your boys!" Is there a particular organization that the Iran family project was through?
Love this post...
Our children see us do things to raise money for missions...
Our family personally gives a little bit monthly to a few missionaries, but our teen class has to work hard (us, too) to raise money for a yearly pledge. Sometimes, my children will stand by the street during fundraisers with signs, yelling at cars going by (like their silly mommy)... "Garage sale for missions!" and stuff like that! It is pretty fun, but exhausting, too!
Today, they had to sacrifice some Mommy time (I felt a little bad about this), while I wrote to practically every teenager in our youth group... not something I do on a regular basis... takes a long time and alot of thought to try to personally encourage each young person where they each need it... and, alot of stamps! I told Faithy what I was doing, and that maybe when she learns enough to write a letter, she could write a friend.
Faith and Charity also help encourage a VERY elderly lady that lives next door to us... they LOVE this 94 year old lady. They hug her and entertain her!
Maybe these are little practical ideas for starters... I love what your children are doing... maybe I will talk it over with Ron and see if we can get our kids involved in something like that! Sounds very healthy for kids!
Okay, there's my novel on your blog!
That is a really good idea. I am very proud of them for all of the hard work they are doing.
Compassion is an often overlooked character trait. I admire the way you are raising your boys. Keep up the good work.
This is such a great idea, I checked out the book you're using and might get it later. I agree with Heather, there are just so many things to teach our children, I just hope that I can squeeze it all in! :)
Awesome! Great idea! This is an inspiration to me. I too want my children to learn to be Godly but it seems so hard to know what to do first or where to start sometimes or what is most important (and to find time to do it all!).
Great job, Seth & Ethan!! Keep up your hard work for Jesus!
Martha,
What a nice idea. I am looking at possibly relocating to Colorado Spring and interestingly enough, I am really looking at applying at 'Compassion International' Ever heard of it?
Drop a line, long time no hear!
602-881-2821
ijrenteria@yahoo.com
Janet Renteria
Compassion -- One true sign of a heart that loves Jesus. I'm so thankful for your commitment to be a SAHHSM (stay-at-home, home schooling Mom). It provides unlimited opportunities to add untold dimensions to your children's education. GREAT JOB, Seth and Ethan! Grandma loves you all BUNCHES!
Thank you all for the nice comments. I will also pass them along to the boys who will be quite pleased! :-)
Sara D., the organization is called "Partners International," and we went through their Harvest of Hope catalog.
Sarah C, what you are doing is great as well!
Janet, I was just thinking of you! :-) I promise to write.
Wonderful idea, Martha!
I hope the years I did homeschool has instilled character in Missie; now that she attends school I do miss our time together to bake together, etc., but at this stage of her life, she needed this. Continue to enjoy them; they grow up before you know it.
Thank you for your comment on my blog. I believe this is one of the best decisions that we have made for our children.
You have some very handsome men there. Keep up the good work and have a wonderful year!
Hey, Martha, have you ever heard of "The Voice of the Martyrs"? It is an organization that supports the "Persecuted Church". There is a project that they need help on. Looks like it is not too difficult, and something that I would be honored to be involved with doing. I don't want to give too much info online, but feel free to call me if you would like to get involved!
Thanks for the tip, Sarah. I will check into it.
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