Monday, June 27, 2011

Willing Gifts

Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD.
1 Chronicles 29:9


We have been so blessed by the willing offerings of so many people. More and more boxes of used Homeschool Curriculum and books keep arriving at our home! It is such a joy to be able to receive these things for the homeschoolers in our area who have been affected by the tornado.

Just now as I was writing that, our door bell rang and two more boxes of books arrived on our front porch - all the way from California! Thank you so much to every one of you who have given of your time, money, books, thoughts, prayers, and so much more!


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Every Sunday I have the special opportunity to teach Scripture Memory to the children at church. I usually have 15-16 children ranging in age from 5-14. Normally we memorize 2-3 verses each week, and after we have finished "Verses" for the day, I'll dismiss all but the oldest children. The older ones and I will then work together to come up with actions for the following week's verses.

This week was a little different though. I gave the middle group the very special opportunity to do what the big kids usually do, and they got to help me come up with actions for next week's verses!

They were so excited and took their responsibility very seriously. We're memorizing Proverbs 2:1-13 & 20-22 right now, and the first verse we had to do actions for was verse 20: "That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous." We already had actions for the first part of the verse, but needed to come up with something for "good men". I started discussing this with them, and it was so sweet to see and hear the first things that came to their mind.

The just turned 11-year-old immediately suggested doing a giving action because good men give to others. The other three children thought this was great and the 10-year old excitedly said, "Like Joplin! We can be giving to help Joplin!". All of these children live in or close to Joplin, and they've seen and experienced not only the damage, but also the incredible display of serving and giving not just here in the community, but from all across the country.

I was so blessed to see that their first thoughts about "good men" are that they don't just think of themselves. They reach out to help other people.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

1 comment:

Me said...

AWESOME!! We have some friends in Joplin and nearby areas and I am amazed at the damage that Joplin has endured. We sent some things with some church friends and hope that all is well. I know it will be a long recovery and our prayers are with them and others suffering from the other damaging tornados as well. Prayers!!! And it is wonderful to see goodwill and christ like love like this, charity never faileth!