We drive our neighbor the the doctor every time she asks, even though the steps it requires are enough to make most people’s head spin.
Put the baby in a snow suit, Malone in a jacket. Buckle the baby into the car seat and car. Buckle Malone in the car. Drive a half a block to the neighbor’s house. Load the neighbor into our car from her wheel chair. Put the chair in the trunk. Drive to the appointment. Load the neighbor back in her chair and pray she doesn’t roll too fair while I unload the Malone. Put the baby in the sling. Wheel the neighbor with one hand across the parking lot. Hold Malone’s with the other. Entertain Malone in the waiting room, nurse the baby.
Reverse the order of the steps. Drive back home.
I don’t know any other way to teach my son about how to serve others, other than do to do it myself and include him. He loves to run ahead a little bit, he’s figured out how to open the doors with the handicap button. He holds the door as I push her through. He plays quietly on the rug with his cars as we wait.
I’ve had to work to gain a servant’s heart. I’ve had to overcome the lie that whispered “You can’t do it. It is too hard. She will find someone else to help.”
And in the process of that, I have discovered the joy of loving my neighbor as myself. We look forward to the days we get to take her.
For him, it is becoming second nature to think of others before himself.
Yesterday at playgroup, he asked to help the leader without my prompting. I could tell he enjoyed serving his peers as he handed out the shaker eggs for music time.
This might be one of the greatest gifts I can give him. One that will continue long after he’s grown.
An every day hero. With a servant’s heart.
This post has been linked up with Lisa Jo Baker and her Five Minute Friday prompt. Each week, hundreds of writers write for FIVE minutes on a topic, hit publish without editing, link up, and comment on each other’s blogs. It is one of the sweetest communities I’ve found. Please play along, if you’d like.
If you are looking for this week’s Ask Away Friday post, it is right here. I love both of these link ups so much that I will probably double post on Fridays for quite sometime. If you are here from #FMF, Ask Away Friday is a link up where two bloggers trade 10 questions and answer them on their own blogs. I’d love to switch if you, if you’d like. Email me at acookiebeforedinner@gmail.com
What amazing post. Thank you for sharing. I love the part you wrote about lies. Those lies are trying to stop us, but you have overcame it. And you are giving such a great gift to your son and your little baby.
Tarja Wörlin recently posted..Thought of the year 2014
The lies creep in so easily sometimes. I really have to work to keep them out. But, that is the way it always seems to go!
Oh, I can’t even stand how much I love this post!! The fact that you take time to help others and you include your kids is wonderful. The fact that your sweet boy has picked it up and made it a part of himself too, is just beautiful. You are doing this parenting thing right! Well done!! –Lisa
The Dose of Reality recently posted..Pinterest Nightmare #238: Neuticles
Aw thanks Lisa!
There are so many nights when I go to bed wondering if I’m actually failing my kids. Thank you for reminding me that sometimes I do get it right!
Friday is way too fun not to double post or do a two or three in one!! On vacation, I could only manage one.
It’s the only way to show them. You’re so right. And Malone and Lola are learning SO freakin’ much by your examples. So freakin’ much. The good stuff.
Tamara recently posted..Fly Away, Ask Away & Ladies Only Blog Share!
I agree, it is fun to double post on Fridays. I think that I will likely do it again, I love both communities way too much to let the other one go. I might just have to turn it into one giant post though!
Thank you for the kind words. They mean a lot to me. xo
“If not you, then who?” What a great thing you do for your neighbor, and for Malone.
Nancy recently posted..Slice of Life #4
You are right, Nancy. If not you, then who?
Great reminder!
NJ, I love this story! Malone and Lola are lucky kids and your neighbor is blessed to have you. I hope that I am setting a good example for my kids in this way too. And I love that you did #AAF and #FMF. I’ve missed #FMF, but I just haven’t gone back to it. I guess there’s no real reason I can’t double post on Fridays too.
Rabia @TheLiebers recently posted..#AskAwayFriday with Lisa from The Golden Spoons
You could totally double post, Rabia! I might try one big post next week and combine everything instead of having two. I don’t know which way is best… things to ponder, I guess!
Oh I teared up a little at this one:) Excited about next week!!
Aw.. Thanks Molly! I am so excited to launch too! This is going to be exciting!
Nice job, mama. Well done. xoxo
Sarah recently posted..#AskAwayFriday with Sonya from Everyday Saving
Thank you!
What a beautiful reminder that we can all be an everyday hero to someone. Thank you for not only showing me that but also teaching it to the next generation.
Amy P Boyd recently posted..Hero {Five Minute Friday}
Kindness matters. If we aren’t the ones to pass it forward, who will? I feel a great pressure sometimes, to make sure my tiny humans turn out to become upstanding citizens!
Our children learn more from our actions than our words. You are teaching your children wonderful lessons about charity and love that they will carry throughout their lives. Bravo! And it’s already paying off. Even better!
Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama recently posted..Reflections: Definitions, Stories and Pictures
Actions speak louder than words, right? I have to remind myself of this sometimes!
Visiting from FMF…thanks so much for this everyday life story! So important to continue doing these things and being a hero despite lies, doubts…be richly blessed!
Katha recently posted..[Five Minute Friday] Hero
Welcome, I’m glad you’ve come by!
It can be so hard to work past the lies sometimes, but it is so worth it to do so!
This is amazing… how you are being a hero – and growing one at the very same time! LOVE this!
~Karrilee~ recently posted..Hero – Five Minute Friday
Aw, thanks Karrilee! I’m trying, that is for sure !
What a beautiful story of living out an example of caring and helping for your children. They really DO watch (and when they’re teenagers and appear deaf, they really DO listen).
Anita Ojeda recently posted..{Hero} Worship-A New Definition
Their little eyes are always watching.
I’m afraid of the teenage years. Straight up terrified.
I’ve read a lot of books by Kevin Lehman–especially “Adolescence Isn’t Terminal (It Just Feels Like It). I think it’s been retitled and updated, but you can still look it up on Amazon :). Don’t worry, they really will learn and listen and with God’s grace, you’ll be able to navigate through the wonder years (my definition of wonder years: teenager–when you wonder what they’re thinking, when you wonder what you’re doing, when you wonder why they missed their curfew….).
Anita Ojeda recently posted..{Hero} Worship-A New Definition
Thanks for that, Anita! I am going to look it up!
YOU, are a hero. Serving your neighbor and your son. I applaud you.
Lisa recently posted..A Hero in Haiti
Thank you, Lisa!
I think influence by example is the only way we teach our children. They see everything we do (and don’t do) and it makes a difference. I love that he’s seeing the practical ways you live out what you believe. That God asks us to love fully and serve each other.
Alia Joy recently posted..Five Minute Friday: Hero
Hmm. Influence by example. I’ve never put a label on it, but you are exactly right!
OH, this is incredible and I do think you are a hero!!! You’re right – it would be so easy (and in your case true) to say that you can’t because it is too hard but the fact that you do it and do it gladly is true love of your neighbor. And, your son is learning every time – what a valuable lesson!!!
Kim recently posted..Welcome, Elise from 9toFit!!!
We do it because we truly love her. And because it is so important to me that my kids learn how important it is to serve others!
Wishing you continued blessings as you serve and seek to live a life exemplified in Christ. May your son continue to have this impressed upon his heart as he grows. These acts of love and kindness, acts of selfless serving, I am convinced their impression is indelible.
Thank you for your kind words, Jolene! It isn’t easy, but it is worth it!
Children learn by example. And you’re teaching them that it has to come from the heart, not just because they *have* to help others. I love this parenting lesson and hope to instill this in my children, too!
Gracielle recently posted..{Through the Lens Thursday} Reflection
You are right, they do learn by example.
I hope they both always love to help others and remember the fun we had doing it!
Just beautiful!!! I truly believe that serving is not just something we DO, but rather it’s a way of life. You obviously are living that life, and it shows in your children. Wonderful inspiration!
Katie @ Pick Any Two recently posted..Fifty Percent of Women Have Never Done WHAT?
You are totally right, it is a way of life.
After awhile, it becomes second nature. It really does!
Great post, thanks for sharing! I’ve been tying to work hard on making time to serve others and it’s not always easy.
Mrs. B recently posted..Free Valentines Day Card Printables – Mustaches & Super Heroes
[…] 2. Look for opportunities in the everyday. This is one of the easiest ways to get kids involved in giving. It can be simple things like holding the door open for a stranger, giving a few dollars to a homeless person on the street (or better yet, a hot meal), or bringing popsicles to the gas and electric guys working on your street on a hot day. I’ve written in the past about how I don’t know any other way to teach my son about ho… […]