What will our boys remember most? The talks or the walks? The stories or the trips? The lessons, the lectures, or life…real life?My boys are pretty much grown now, and when we all get together, it’s the memories of real life that win out.
And how better to make memories together than with feet-on-the-ground service?
You don’t have to go far. In fact, sometimes that makes it even more meaningful. There are those people who minister to us, those we automatically label as the ones who serve. The pastor, for instance, and his family.
It’s easy to see those who minister to us as invincible and strong, and wrongly assume that they don’t necessarily need us. But this mama has a pastor son, and I can tell you, it can be a lonely place to be, fraught with expectations. Helping take a load off those shoulders can be a blessing all around.
So how can you and your boys serve a family that serves so many?
practical tips for serving those who serve
1. Invite them over for dinner. Have them bring the kids. Just spend some time eating and talking and sharing.
2. Offer to take their kids for a day. It’s pretty much a 24/7 job for most pastors, and it’s hard to find time to yourself. Even if their kids are older, take them on a picnic or have them over for Game Night.
3. Take them dinner, or just surprise them with a bunch of cookies. Let the kids help with the baking.
4. Make cards or write thank you letters to the pastor and his wife. You can mail them or deliver them with those cookies.
5. Pray for them. Just pray for them. Add the pastor’s family to your nightly list, and pray with the kids, keeping them in the forefront of your minds.
Feet-on-the-ground service, ministering to those who minister to you. It’s a great way to make memories.
Question: How do you teach your boys to serve? We’d love for you to share ideas with us!
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Mom’s Mission Minute at the MOB Society
Join me in supporting America World Adoption.
America World is near and dear to my heart because they’re working to bring a little girl to the Groves family. This agency is dedicated “to building families according to God’s design of adoption, and providing service that is personal and dependable.” A faith-based organization, America World has an impeccable reputation among families and adoption professionals alike. A number of waiting families I’ve spoken with say they would not adopt with anyone else. Check out their blog to learn more.
If you’d like to follow an America World family, visit Longing for India and read about their journey to that little Groves girl who will make the trip from India to Kentucky. It’s a long process, and my son Jonathan and his wife Kristen are waiting for a match, anxious to see her face. We can rest, though, knowing she was “matched” long ago to their family in the Father’s heart.
I have two boys at home that are still young. I can already see that my oldest wants to be a leader so badly but he hasn’t fully understand that he isn’t the “boss” right now. We don’t want to squelch this natural born leadership in him but we do want it to be used in a Godly way. One of the things that we constantly teach him about is servant leadership and how we see that through Jesus’ life. We frame it as an honor, a dignified thing to serve others before ourselves. One practical way we teach him is by serving younger kids first. So in our house, we always serve the younger brother first. This isn’t because of favoritism, but it is so that our child begins to think of others before himself. We will teach our youngest this same as he gets older as well.
My own oldest talks about wanting to “be the boss” a little too much when he was young! Love your idea of servant leadership — in fact, I write about that very idea in my book, I’m Outnumbered! Thanks for sharing with us here at MOB, Stephanie.
I just found your website. Yay!! I have two boys. They are young adults now with one actually married but I’m discovering quickly that I love what you share here.One way I’m teaching my youngest son (who is still living at home) is the past couple years he’s helped pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. I love to seeing his enjoyment in doing this. I think if we make serving others a daily part of our life this will reflect in our children’s lives as well.
Happy to find you all here!
Blessings.