One afternoon at the pool a few months ago, Cate and her friend Norah started talking about having a bake sale. Norah loves baking, especially cupcakes, so I think her hobby prompted the conversation, but I’m not even sure. I just remember sitting in the baby pool with Rachel and my best friend Jaclyn when the girls were telling us about their idea and asking about when and where they could have it. My favorite part was when they started discussing to whom they could give the money they earned.
That was July, probably. And here we are in October.
But since that initial conversation, they recruited another friend from church, Violet, and nailed down specifics. And us moms figured out a time and place for them to have it. Jaclyn hosted a baking day. Then the girls individually decorated the cupcakes and cookies closer to time and baked some brownies.
Well, the much-discussed bake sale happened Saturday.
The girls raised $96 to send to Bethel Ministries International, the ministry with which we served in Guatemala in July 2015. Bethel serves families throughout Guatemala by distributing wheelchairs, food, and clothing; building houses; and sponsoring children who can’t otherwise afford to go to school.
With $96, one elementary-school aged child can attend school for about four months. That’s the kind of investment I want my kids and their friends to realize makes a difference.
I want my kids to notice other people.
I want them to see their friends’ and strangers’ hurts and needs so they can help them. I want them to realize our lives are better together – and sometimes that means taking the first step. I want them to love Jesus and love people.
And, let’s be honest, I want that in my own life, so I might as well teach my kids as I’m learning myself.
I don’t want service to be a part of our lives,
I want to default to living generously.
How do you teach your kids about giving? What are you some service projects that have worked well for you?
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Here are some other ways I’ve tried to teach my kids about living generously.
Operation Christmas Child
Compassion International birthday gifts & sponsorships
Collecting diapers or other supplies at birthday parties
Jesus Birthday Party
Treats for fire and police departments
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