My Kids and Service

Posted by laura.elizabeth at 1:58 AM Labels:
For sometime I have been worried about my boys because they are incredibly self absorbed and often insensitive to the needs of others. I wondered and pondered and prayed to know what I could do to teach then how to love and serve others. I tried all kinds of things with little or no success. I was frustrated with them and with myself for not being able to figure it out. Then one day it occurred to me that I was teaching them how to serve (which is important) but not helping them want to do it. It dawned on my that I had been spending all of my time and energy teaching and correcting behavior without even considering what I could do to help change their hearts.

After giving it some thought, I realized that my love for other people and my desire to serve them is directly related to my relationship with God. When I seek the Lord through scripture study and prayer, I feel His love and see His hand in my life and I want to share that love with others. When I serve others my love for Him grows and I want to be closer to Him. When I seek Him, I find Him, feel His love, and the whole cycle begins again. (Do you see?) Well, I decided that if this is true for me, it must be true for my children too. I realized that in order to teach my children to love and serve others, my job as a parent is to help my children strengthen their relationship with God. (Are you still with me?)

So here are a few ideas I have had about how to help my children know God and feel His love.
1. Pray with them individually everyday.
2. Help them keep a record of the good God does in their lives.
3. Remind them everyday that they are blessed.
4. Spend a few minutes with my children everyday being very quite and very still.
5. (And here is the big one) Develop a better relationship with God myself.

What do you do to strengthen your relationship and / or the relationship your children have with God?

3 comments:

  • V and Co. | February 29, 2008 at 10:32 PM

    we've just started to make sure we read one chapter of the scriptures every morning, and we pray together as a family two times, once in the morning and once at night. this has made a huge difference in our "craziness" we're actually not so crazy as much, and about service, i have a hard time receiving service, but just a little while ago we were all so sick and we didnt have jake so the relief society and the elders quorum took over, and i let them, i think that made a huge difference in how my kids saw it, on the other side of it, we talked about how nice everyone was to us and how much they cared for us, and we want to do the same for others when we see them in need.

  • laura.elizabeth | March 1, 2008 at 1:33 PM

    Interesting thought. I have a hard time receiving help too, maybe my kids need the chance to see service from the receiving side so they know what their kindness means to others. Hum... I like that- thanks for sharing!

  • Bonnie | March 2, 2008 at 10:44 PM

    Laura I think the biggest thing parents can do is be a good example in both giving and receiving service.I think your kids so get service and I know they have seen so much of it from you and Robert. I love all the things you always do for your neighbors involving the kids, the time you painted and redecorated the entire staff room over a three day weekend for the teachers at Spencer's school. You have always gone above and beyond and I know that is and will continue to rub off on the kids. As RS President your kids have got to see what you do and I know they are involved at some level.

    I also believe that charity begins at home. Teaching kids to serve their family is an important step to understanding and implementing service in their lives. Keep on keeping on..you are doing well and so are they! A lot of what concerns you about hem is just them being kids...it will pass. Love you, Baby! Mom

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