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My husband and I have been praying with our children (ages 8 and 5) at bedtime for years. Usually one thing we ask in our prayers is for God to put people into the lives of those less fortunate who would be able to help them. Then one day it occurred to us, that we should be those people – as this verse illustrates:
James 2:15-17 (NLT) Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
Although my husband and I were active in some ways (admittedly not as much as we should be), we had not given our children an opportunity to be an active part in helping others and showing them how to put words into action by good deeds. So, we began the process of intentionally involving ourselves and children in organizations and activities to help others. We did not do anything earth-shattering, but would just intentionally remind the kids daily or weekly, which would remind us, that our goal was always to help those less fortunate and find ways to do that. As it turns out, when we started looking, there is almost daily, and at least, weekly, an opportunity for the kids to actively help others (ex. giving, community service, donating, collecting items).
Both of the children are in organizations (Lucy’s Kids for Peace and my daughter just started Girl Scouts) that actively seek to do good deeds - and then follow through and do them . Even though organizations are not needed to implement intentional living - I knew that I needed the help because I become forgetful, busy, disorganized, tired, etc., and then have trouble with my follow through – which is the most important part! With others involved, it helps us be accountable and active with the kids in our goal of putting faith into action through good deeds. It’s small steps in teaching our children intentional living, but…“Every journey begins with but a small step and every day is a chance for a new, small step in the right direction. Just follow your Heart song” Mattie J.T. Stepanek
- Tara Godard
