Kindness Starts With me

Since we were toddlers we have been told to be kind, to be nice, to share our toys.  It makes sense, doesn't it?  We all like for kindness to be shown to us so why wouldn't we show it to others?

But that's easier said then done isn't it?

Jesus not only showed kindness to others, but He actually redefined it for His disciples. He showed kindness to all people. People who were marginalized. People with bad reputations. Children, beggars, the sick and outcast. All people.  Today if Jesus was on earth he would even be kind to a Patriots fan!

In the month of February, it seems like everyone is talking about how they’re going to show their friends and family how valuable they are through cards and candy and flowers.

We live in a world that most often seems like it’s anything but kind. I mean, just think about the arguments that break out in your own home or at work.  Think about a show your kids may watch on Disney or Nickelodeon. Often the kids are disrespectful to their parents.  We may laugh at family members being mean to each other.

What would happen if we decided to live out what Jesus said about showing others they are valuable?  What would happen if we were extra kind to those closest to us?

Since I was a little boy I have been a Cowboys fan! Even though I am a huge fan I can still recognize kindness shown by two young fans of teams I have a hard time cheering for.   Check this out.

"My son lost his best friend in the world last week after a short illness. He grew up with Boo from about one year old. Boo was my sons dog, his best friend, the one who played with him, shared most all home meals with him and loved him no matter what. About 3 months ago Boo was just not himself and after a vet visit we all learned his time on earth was very short. Well Boo went to dog heaven last week and my son knew for the first time in his short life the feeling of losing someone you love.  I was lost as how to help him heal , and out of no where a dear friend offered us two tickets to the game in Seattle. I got the tickets, bought the plane tickets and called a friend of mine in Seattle to see if we could bunk for the weekend. All was ready so I told my son. He was very excited and for a minute seemed to be doing better.

Off we went and boy what a great time we had. Seattle is such a wonderful city and to see our much loved Packers play could it get any better. Sunday arrived and off we went to the game. Great seats, loud, exciting, nothing better then this I thought.

We were seated next to a large family of Seattle fans so what joy we were having kidding them as our Packers run off to a lead. My son was sitting right next to a young girl of 12. They talked and seemed to be having a great time.

Well we all know that the Packers played a great game but a win was not to be had. After Seattle scored in overtime I noticed the young girl was crying and still sitting in her seat. Her father talked to her and gave her a hug. When we were leaving I asked the father if the girl was crying for joy by the win and to my shock he told me no, she was crying because she wanted the Packers to win because she knew my son had lost his dog and she thought he needed this more then she did. I kept this to myself on the flight home.

While my son was having our dinner meal he looked at me and said he was glad that Seattle had won. I was surprised and ask him why. He looked at me and told me the girl sitting next to him had lost her cat to a dog attack only the day before and he wanted her to have something to help her feel better."

How will you show kindness this month?

The Plan!

This month in Inspire Kids we are teaching our kids about commitment. For us commitment is about making a plan and putting into practice.

I like to run from time to time.  Not doing a very good job of that right now.  I guess I need to make a plan.

A few years ago I participated in a 10 mile run at the Pear Blossum in Medford, Oregon.   It was a great experience.  Would love to do that again or compete in a half marathon.

But I didn't just show up one day and run.  I trained for almost 3 months so I could actually run to the finish line and not crawl.  At times I had to run in the rain.  Glasses, rain, wind, and running don't mix very well.  Saturday's were hard being my long run day.  There was no way I could skip those days.  I had to stick to the plan in order to reach my goal.

When it comes to our faith, we need to stick to the plan.  It takes work, it takes practice, it takes a plan.  What is your plan for growing in your faith?  What goals are you trying to reach?

Do you have a Bible reading plan?  Do you have a plan for your prayer time?  If not,
make a plan and stick with it.  Help your kids to to develop a plan too.

My goal this year is to read through the Bible  Below are some resources that might be helpful.

www.youversion.com
www.bible.com/kids

Oh yeah . . . if you like to run like me, you may want to check this out.
www.icskagitvalley.org/the-thank-you-5k

The Rehearsal Room

Rehearsal Room

When I was a teenager I tried to learn how to play the keyboard.  It was a pretty awful experience.  I really have little to no musical abilities.  It just isn't how God made me.  I also didn't put a a lot of effort into it.  So with my lack of talents and my lack of efforts, I was never going to become an amazing keyboard player.

To become great at playing an instrument, you need to practice . . . to rehearse.  You need to commit to sticking with it even when you don't feel like it. (God given talents help too!)

This is true for faith.  To grow -  to mature - takes practice.  It takes commitment.  Once you accept Christ as your Savior you don't automatically become the perfect Christian.

Just like learning an instrument takes practice . . . so does your faith.  This month in Inspire Kids will focusing on different faith skills as we learn about the Life App, Commitment.  Kids will be encouraged to make a plan to put these faith skills into practice.

As we start a new year what a great time it is to check our personal rehearsal rooms.  Are you growing in your faith?  What faith skill (prayer, personal worship, Bible reading) needs a little more practice?  This new year make a new commitment to grow in a specific area.

Christmas!

Christmas!  It's a time for family, for traditions, for making memories, for gifts, and for Jesus.

Growing up, my family had a couple of silly traditions.  We always had pizza on Christmas, Eve, opened up one present on Christmas Eve, and of course we got our Christmas cookies ready for Santa Clause.  I have continued some of those little traditions with my family.

Take some time to teach your children about the real meaning of Christmas. It's so easy to even have a family Christmas gathering and get so wrapped up in the gifts, the food, and the social activity . . . that we neglect to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas is a special time where memories are created that last a lifetime.  Take some time to plan your Christmas week carefully to make sure the things you do and say have lasting value.   Maybe you can start a new tradition this year.  Here are a couple of ideas.

• Attend a Christmas Eve service together as a family.
• Read / tell the Christmas story on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning before you open the presents.
• Make a birthday cake for Jesus.
• Give back to your community this Christmas by serving at a community kitchen or homeless shelter.

What are your Christmas traditions?

Generosity - Pay It Back

Merry Christmas!  What a fun time of year. What a crazy time of year!  This month there will be lots of opportunities to practice generosity.

Often we think of generosity in terms of finances, but generosity goes beyond our money. Generosity should impact everything - our time, talents, energy, and resources.

1 Timothy 6:18 says to“Be rich in good deeds … be generous and willing to share.” We're not generous because we are rich, we are rich because we are generous.  Generosity changes us when we learn how to give the way God gives.

As focused as our kids may be on what they're getting for Christmas, sometimes that makes it even more surprising how much they want to give.

Children seem to be the first to notice the homeless man on the street or know about the family with the unemployed dad.  They're wired for generosity, and how we approach the holidays will help determine if they stay that way.

In each one of our lives, we have a tendency to move towards a lifestyle of generosity or a lifestyle of greed.  Are we wrapped up in ourselves or our things, or do we reflect God's character by giving freely to others?

So how will you as a family demonstrate generosity this December?  Here's one idea.  I'm sure you can come up with your own as well.

Pay-It-Back Cookies!
As a family make several batches of cookies.  As you're baking talk to your kids about people who help others.  Decide as a family who you will give the cookies too.  Be sure to deliver the cookies with a thank you note.

Let's all get wrapped upped in Jesus and in giving and not the gifts.  If children understand how to be generous it will not only change the people around them but it will change them as well.

Life isn't fair!

In Matthew 20:1-5, we read that a few of the workers started making comparisons to what others were getting paid and became ungrateful and started complaining.  Then at the end of the day, they had a bad attitude because they thought, that's not fair,

The truth is that sometimes life isn't fair.  Your child should have had the opportunity to play more in their game, you should have received the promotion over your co worker, your bff should have kept your promise to you.

Life isn't fair!

There are many times when we don't want to give thanks - especially when life isn't fair.  But our hope in Jesus allows us to be thankful regardless of our circumstances.

So how do you teach your kids to be grateful?

1. Model and teach gratitude:  It's been said that things are caught not taught.  The best way to teach gratitude to your kids is to model it.  Are you showing gratitude to your spouse, to your boss, to your parents, to the Lord?  Don't just say it but show it.  Work gratitude into your daily conversation.
2. Have kids help.  Find things for your kids to do.  Serve at a community kitchen as a family.  Maybe come up with a family tradition of serving the community at a particular event each year.
3. Insist on thank you notes.  Its so easy easy today to say thank you through text or a Facebook message.  It's quick and easy.  There's nothing wrong with using technology to say thank you.  But you may want to take an extra step and have your kids write out thank you notes for their birthday and Christmas gifts.  They can even send a note to their teacher or coach as well.

Showing gratitude is not just an action but its an attitude.  As you model this attitude you are teaching your kids to do the same.  It's about choosing to be grateful instead of miserable.

Gratitude

Gratitude!  This the time of the year that we tend to think more about what we're grateful for.

White Mochas.  Family.  Health.  The Dallas Cowboys beating the Seahawks!

Gratitude is more than things; it's an attitude.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 says "Give thanks no matter what happens.  God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus."

If we never take the time to acknowledge what God has done in our lives or how others have helped us, we may develop an unhealthy ego or a growing frustration with the people around us. We might become bitter and complain about everything little thing. 

Take time today, this week, this month, this Thanksgiving, this Christmas . . . to be grateful.  You always have something to be grateful for.

How will you practice gratitude these next two months?