Remember a while back ago when I was so excited about the new chore chart I was trying out with the Lucas? Well, the excitement wore off pretty quickly for the both of us. Lucas was not motivated by the stickers or rewards and I felt like the chart took away from my passion to teach my children biblical principles. The chart was forgotten by the both of us during the second week and I finally tossed it out this week.Amazingly, Lucas is still and even more willing to help around the house. This morning I asked him to water the dog before we left for school,which he did without a question or complaint. Here's what I realized this morning; I feel pretty passionate about the idea of modeling and teaching the concept of biblical servanthood. I want our children to understand what it means to help and serve the people around them without personal gain. I want this to come naturally for them one day, so that means, I need to invest my time and energy in them today.
Lucas and I had three years of Mommy and me time. Since Ava has come along, she's learned to go with the flow and jump right into the action. However, now that Lucas is in preschool 5 mornings a week, Ava and I are finding that special together time that we both crave. Some mornings, we run errands together. Other days, a little friend comes over for me to watch and Ava to play with. And other days, like today when it's too yucky to run to the grocery store, Ava follows me around the house, watching me serve our family by making beds, doing laundry and cleaning.
And she loves to help. Whether it's putting the dirty clothes into the laundry basket (and then sometimes taking a ride on that same basket) or pulling the clean clothes out of the dryer, Ava is always beside me, eager to partcipate. I know this behavior is a part of her development stage, but I also believe that she is finding joy in being Mommy's helper. Lucas used to do the same thing at this age.
Ava especially loves her job of unloading the clean silverware from the dishwasher. I quickly remove the knives before eager hands get cut, then she gets started, eager and determined to help.
We also teach this concept of serving by expecting Lucas to pick up his dirty clothes and put them in his laundry basket, taking his dirty dishes to the sink after a meal and saying thank you, and putting his toys away after playing with them. All of these actions communicate respect and a grateful heart, which Lucas and I talk about a lot. Of course, we still have to prompt him most of the time, but I can see the habits forming.
In a culture that is so "me" focused, let's put in the effort to remind our children that life really isn't all about them. Children are such an important part of a family, but they share in the responsibility of that family. What a difference it would make if all children learned that respect for others is way more important than esteeming themselves.
"Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."
Mark 9:34-36
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