So, this is how my brain works.
I saw this idea on Pinterest.
Check! Filed away in my brain for something.
(I can wrap cones so easy with paper – even have a message. Brain swirls.)
Adorable.
Then, I went to my weekly Beth Moore Bible Study on James (LOVING IT by the way).
Group got in a great discussion on an issue all kids are facing.
DICONTENTMENT
ENTITLEMENT
UNGRATEFUL HEARTS
DEMANDING STUFF
WANTING MORE
All of our kids just want, want, want.
They expect so much.
What have we done to create this? Fuel this?
What can we do?
I have a LOONNNGGG post coming about my thoughts on the issue.
So, I left that afternoon and had to take action.
My kids face this like everyone.
They wake up like me and think/say,
“What are we doing today (for us)?”
“What are we getting today?”
I would love to change our first thoughts with,
“What are we doing today for others?”
“Who are we serving today?”
“Who are we encouraging today”
So, I get home from Bible study and mind still cranking.
Enter the Pinterest idea.
Larson was napping.
I tell Ella.
WE ARE GOING TO CREATE AN ICE CREAM SHOP
DOWNTOWN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
EXCEPT…
IT’S FREE!
Her eyes got big and her smile bigger.
Ella, let’s just give away as much ice cream as we can.
Make other people smile so big and surprise them with our generosity.
It was 2:30.
We had our stand up by 3:30.
I’m only telling you this, not to brag, but to tell you it’s about just GOING FOR IT
and NOT DOING THINGS WITH PERFECTION.
We forgot the table.
The ice cream about melted.
We had very few customers.
Our sign blew away and only “cream” was left.
We forgot wipes.
However, IT DID NOT MATTER.
My goal is always to teach my kids power lessons
that go deep in their hearts not through a lecture around my table.
I want them to epxerience the goodness of a life following Christ.
That when we love others, it just plain feels good and honors Him.
We can make people smile and brightens others days.
There is certainly a place for teaching how to sell things and make money through lemonade stands and ice cream shops – but on this day, my heart was about:
IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE.
I hope your week is wonderful with your kiddos.
Just like weaving grated carrots into brownies,
sprinkle some virtues and biblical principles into your everyay adventures.
They will never know what happened and actually love it!
No eye ball rolling with this style of fun.
Kids Bug Some People