Early this morning as I drove home from the gym, I heard the radio hosts ask this question, “What are you modeling for your children that they will then model for their
own?”
I thought about how
every week my husband and I welcome a group of college students into our home
for Bible study. Students come
from our church, or the nearby university, friends bring friends and the group
has ebbed and flowed now for two years.
Some evenings we may have a student or two join our family for dinner,
which is a great time to get to know them better, and for them to interact with
our three kids. Once the rest of
the students arrive, I serve brownies or popcorn and the students jump on the
trampoline with our kids or sit at our table discussing science concepts that
are way over my head.
Eventually, our kids head into our bedroom to watch a movie
on my laptop and we corral the students into the living room where
my husband leads us in Bible study.
Fifteen years ago, as a college student, I lived with a family who modeled to
me exactly this kind of hospitality.
They held a weekly Bible study for college students in their home. Sometimes students shared a meal with
them. There were always yummy
snacks, good conversation and focused time in the Word.
Perhaps one day, one of my children will be in college and
will attend a similar study in the home of a nice, young family from a nearby
church. Or perhaps they will lead
one themselves once they are adults with families of their own.
So friend, I'd love to hear about what was modeled to you as a young person that
you now model for your own children?
my dad always gave to fundraisers, charities, church offerings, etc. with a big heart and big gift. regardless of who was asking (basketball booster even though I didnt even play basketball) he always gave it away without a second thought.
ReplyDeleteit taught me to give generously when I can, and it also taught me the value of giving to others what I had to give! I don't have the same bank account as a young adult that he had as a 50 year old, so I try to give my service more than money - the principle is still there!
This is a great series - excited to continue reading! Feel free to check my 31 days on patience. :)
So glad you came to visit :). Generosity is a wonderful thing to have modeled to you as a child! What a gift your father gave you. I did read your blog on patience and will definitely be checking back...GREAT topic. We are waiting on a big something right now and I the idea of patience as perseverance is extremely helpful.
ReplyDeletei have always loved that you guys do that ... so powerful.
ReplyDeletei don't have one from childhood, cause that was all kinds of weird. but more recently we had friends who prayed and counseled us through some hard times. i learned so much, and felt so much comfort that it made me want to do the same, and i have had the joy of doing so with one precious young lady.
now she in turn ...
What a great example for your kids, and how neat that you saw it modeled as a student! My parents set a wonderful example of hospitality; people over for meals, anyone was welcome, delivering food to others, etc. It didn't have to be elaborate, but was very genuine. They were generous with their time and resources and we enjoy continuing that with our family.
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