Come to serve

Our MOPS group is once again participating in the Operation Christmas Child ministry. As a family, we enjoy participating as it's something the boys can be involved in a tangible way.

This morning I talked to the boys before we headed out to fill our shoe boxes for our child. We sat down to watch the video about the children we are sending this to and why.

We saw children whose lives had been destroyed by natural disasters, those who have no home, those who have no parents, those who live in war torn countries, those who daily wonder where their next meal is coming from, and those who have been told the world has forgotten them. We also saw children who don't know Christ.

I looked at the captivated faces of my boys and prayed they would be able to grasp some aspect of what we were seeing.

Sam looked at me with excitement and told me he wanted to go and get special things for our child (and he said he wanted them to live with us).

The older boys were geared up and out to go and purchase items to fill our box.

Before we got to the store I reminded them that this shopping trip was for our child, and for our child only. Not for them. Not for toys. Not for candy. But for our child.

Heads nodded fervently in full agreement.

Once in the store the reality of not getting anything for themselves sank in.

"We could use this too mom."

"I love this, we could get two."

"I like new things"

"I NEED this."

The teachable moment had begun. They finally resigned to the fact that this trip was not for them, but not without visible internal struggles. (Or lack of joy). I tried explaining to them that Christ had himself had come to serve (Mark 10:45). I continued to explain that we have been blessed by God, not just for ourselves, but so that we can bless others and give God glory. (Matthew 5:16) As profound as I thought I was, I was received with blank stares. And although we had a smooth trip, it seemed their hearts were hardened towards what we were doing. (i.e. silent pouting)

We checked out, loaded up, and I got the crew into the van.

As we were driving away, Sam said to me "It's hard to put others first mom, but I know that God will help me to do that." "Yeah," said Shep, "I love our little boy." (Sol was just pumped for the snack on the way home.)

As we got home and put our Christmas box together, they begin to get excited about who would receive this box, what he was like, what he wanted to play with. They had soon forgotten that our trip gleaned no new "stuff" for them.

I pray that they continue to find joy in serving others.

Because their mom struggles too.

"The Lord pours in, while we seek to pour out."
-George Mueller-