Over at The Homeschool Village this week, the topic is: do you involve your children in local community service / outreach projects?
As my children get older I try to stress the importance of helping others in need. That God has blessed our family and we should share the blessing with others.
In about another year I would like to take my oldest son to a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving and both of us help. I want him to see how blessed we really are, just because he doesn't have that toy or this toy we should still be thankful for what we have.
When we leave our home at least one time during our travels we see someone standing in a median holding a sign "homeless, will work for food", "need a job" or "I am hungry". God has really stressed upon my heart to do something about it. What He stressed up in my heart I didn't want to share with anyone but my children because the Bible says to keep helping others between Him and yourself BUT I am sharing because maybe someone else can benefit from this post or idea. I decided to get my kids involved. I went to Target got white lunch bags, my kids are in the process of coloring them. My 5 year old decided to write God (heart) you on them, even my 1 year old is coloring them. Inside I will print off scripture verses accompanied with crackers (or some type of packaged food) and a bottle of water. I will hand them to the less forunate, as I do my children and I will pray for them.
For Christmas I have a nursing home in mind that our homeschool group will be going to, the kids will sing CHRISTmas songs and passing out some coloring pages that the kids will color. I did this last year and it was such a blessing to see the elderly's smiling faces!
When I got saved back in 2002 my church did Operation Christmas Child. I loved this outreach, I have since changed churches and they do not participate in this program. So this year we will be participating, each of my children will choose the items for the shoeboxes. I have found a Christian book store that particpates so we will fill up our shoeboxes & drop them off & pray for the children who will receive them.
Oh my goodness! I have tears in my eyes! I love it when the Lord leads me to blogs like yours! It really encourages me. I am a stay at home mother of three and I am homeschooling. Thank you! Thank you for your blog!
ReplyDeleteKj
http://simplyloverly.blogspot.com
Nicole - thank you so much for sharing today. I love the bag idea! I have a friend who keeps a few in her car at all times! Thanks for reminding me!!
ReplyDeleteI hope this encourages others that serving does not need to be a huge organized event - it starts with a heart!
Thanks for linking up again this week!!
Stef
the hsv
Great post! I homeschool and look forward to reading your posts. Buzzing By...Happy Thursday! :o) Larri at Seams Inspired
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful ideas! I love the paper bags for those in unfortunate situations! I want my husband to take the older boys to a soup kitchen to serve too, I think that would be a big eye opener!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to others!
ReplyDeleteAlready following you. Stopping by via Thirsty Thursday. Hope you'll check out my blog and follow back,
ReplyDeletehttp://purelyforfun.blogspot.com
What an encouragment and love what you do for those on the street corners! I often don't know what to do, and I really like your idea. I have enjoyed being part of Operation Christmas Child in the past. What a blessing!
ReplyDeleteNicole-I always think about the people holding up signs in the medians when I see them while I am at a stoplight. It breaks my heart to pass by them sometimes. If I can't stop to help, I always so a prayer for them. Thanks for reminding me about getting bags to feed people in need physically and spiritually! Such a simple, yet meaningful thing to do!
ReplyDeleteA couple of times I have asked out the window if the person in need would like a meal from the fast food place that was directly across the median. They always so yes so I have gone inside with kids in tow and got the man a meal and handed it to him. I am not always comfortable giving out cash to those in need. But, I have given money praying that it will be used for immediate needs such as food and clothing, not the bad stuff.
Happy Helping and thanks for helping make our future brighter by showing your children wonderful examples of how all of us, no matter how big or small, can change the world one heart at a time!
Tracy
http://www.asliceofsmithlife.blogspot.com
We always enjoy Operation Christmas Child! I'm glad you've found another avenue to participate.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea about keeping relatively non-perishable food & drinks on hand for those street corners! Thank you for sharing it!
~Jennifer
I love this idea. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThose are some great ideas! I really like the one with the water bottle and crackers with some scripture!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea about crackers/water and God;s word in thgose paper bags! We don't often run into people holding signs BUT it would be nice to have a plan to physically help.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a wonderful blessing and idea about the homeless "God loves You" bags. I hope that when we do finally go back to the states, that I want us to be really involved through nursing homes, especially Vet. Nursing homes. God Bless and I know it will be a wonderful event for your homeschool group during CHRISTmas!!
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