Daily Archives: February 10, 2012

Training children to serve and to give to those in need

I am reposting an article from Proverbs 31 a women’s blog that my dear friend Rebecca sent me.

When I was a single mom, there were many times I thought how dire my situation was, paying child support, struggling although I made pretty good money to provide for my boys but when we (the boys and I) would see someone in need, would give to them, no questions asked.

Taylor Hartman picking up food for YAS

It sometimes irritated them, they were pretty young at the time however, they continued to watch me give to those who had less than us and began to do it themselves. This carried over to their teen years and young adult life, as each of them starting with our oldest, Taylor served and still serves in the YAS outreach at our food pantry in Orange along with his wife, Halannah all the way down to Caleb, our youngest.

Ashley, her husband Jack serve everytime they come to California, Skylar, Krystin, Cody, Alexis and Calebserve regularly too. Cody, Caleb and Alexis have been an integral part of this outreach as they have given a lot of their teen years to serving and helping to build this outreach along with many other young people.

Caleb, Travis and Christian helping build out part of the YAS room

One thing about our church and this community program, many of our families have children and youth who work side by side with each other, with all ages, all walks of life and all ethnicities to give to those in need here in Orange.

Sky talking to a woman about YAS

We taught our children to serve and love it because there might be a time when they have a need but most of all, it is what Jesus says to do. He tells us in John 6 that he fed the 5,000 and He knew what was in their hearts and Mathew 14:14 says, “He was moved with compassion.” In James 2:15-16 we are told If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

Madison and Susan Saldivar serving the community with Susan Durocher

This is a good post and very transparent. As parents, we model for our children, what they should do and live and prayerfully, they will follow suit. ~Michelle

Teaching Our Children Empathy

 by Laura Hodges Poole
 Recently, my son Josh and I were surfing the Internet for a particular charity to which he wanted to donate. With the click of the mouse we made a contribution, and he was off to his next activity. Something troubled me about this, and then it occurred to me what it was: It had been too easy to click and run.