Considering

Last nite at dinner Dawit was looking at pictures of my hubby who was is Haiti this week.  I was showing him the orphanage where Mike is staying and explaining to him what that was and how he used to live in a place like that in Ethiopia.  He right away wanted to make room in our house for these children because that is what we do.  Erik, his big bro patted him on the back in total pride of his younger brother.  It was a great moment.  We saw his heart and that was pretty special.

Mike in Haiti.

When our first set of kiddos were young we wandered into many different parenting classes and books, we loved the concept of considering the preciousness of others.  Thinking  of others who come before us, behind us, and those who are walking along side of us. Dawit was definetely thinking of others and for that I am thankful. 

We need to show and tell our children about the needs in our community and our world.  How others do not have shoes, food, shelter, parents.  As  I continued to think on that I was reminded that we also need to continue to teach that in our everyday life.  To consider the preciousness of the people who are in line with us at the fair.  Consider the preciousness of others who sit in front of us at a show or in an airplane.  Teach our children to think of others and how their actions can effect others and that we can be a blessing all the time.  Not just on special occasions or moments.    This is such a tall order but it is possible to teach them that people that sit at the table after us at a restaurant are special too so we should leave the place in good condition.  Not to mention for the staff that work there.

We can teach our kiddos to open doors for others or give up our chair for someone who looks older or who needs it.  No matter where we are we should be a blessing to others.  That might be in Haiti or in the grocery store but it should be a goal for ourselves and for teaching to our kiddos.  Who would not want to be married to a man who was taught to be a blessing!! 

It starts small but practical.  At preschool drop off we make sure that the ladies go in first.  The boys think that is pretty cool cause the girls are always surprised.  Instead of the first person who was there goes first, it is simply the boys letting the girls go first in the door because that is kind, thoughtful, and sacrificial. Well it is sacrificial because for a four year old boy being first is really important.

Drying up the sink counter after they brush their teeth so the next person has a nice clean sink.  Taking their plate to the sink after a meal.  Being quiet in the morning because others are still sleeping.   Cheering for each other when they are successful.  There a so many ways we can encourage our children to be thoughtful of others.  To serve, love, and consider the preciousness of others.  By the way, we are not super successful in many of these areas yet but hey, we are all a work in progress!!!

My works in progress looking at the funny lady behind the camera who is also in progress!