I am, for all intents and purposes, a stay-at-home mom. Technically, I'm a work-at-home mom, but since I generally only work when the kiddos are sleeping, I often forget that I'm a working mom at all. My days are full and my nights are short, but I believe it is that way for all mothers/fathers/grown-ups.
Just as the title would imply, I am trying very intentionally to live life outside of my own four walls, so to speak. To be clear, I believe the happenings inside my four walls is important too, but I can become engulfed in it so easily that I lose sight of the fact that this world - and my life - are not all about me. And truthfully, it's not all about my kids either. I want them to grow up thinking about others. I want to be a family that not only thinks about others, but is moved into action and, quite possibly, called to sacrifice for the sake of others.
So here's the thing. We just came off of two weeks of "the sickness" (that is beating up on seemingly everyone in our area) overlapped with a blizzard. I was literally in my house for an overwhelming majority of 2.5 weeks. I was losing my sanity in a serious way, along with my patience, my housekeeping abilities, and my control over the television. (In our house, sick camp=movie marathons... judge me if you will).
And then in the last week or so , I have been reminded in several different ways that life exists outside my walls and it matters how much I get involved. Whether it is the abolition of human trafficking, caring for the homeless, helping a friend who is going through a physically difficult time, or praying pleading with God on behalf of a sweet baby girl the same age as Little Buddy who was fighting for her life this week, I was reminded daily of the needs - physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional - of those around me and around the world.
So, I ask you, blog readers (whoever you are), what do you do to be intentional about loving others? What do you do to help your children start thinking about loving others? I'd love some good suggestions!
2 comments:
Wow I have been having a lot of the same thoughts for quite awhile! We have also been stuck at home due to illness and I was having quite the pitty party for myself but it doesn't take long to look around and see just how blessed we are. Kris and I are constantly trying to teach and remind and educate the boys about caring for others but it is hard to convey such a big message to their little minds but it is something I will not give up on :) So I need suggestions as well.
Really good post, Court. I don't know that there's a cookie cutter answer, but I'll share something that's been working for us lately... exposure and appreciation. Exposure for us simply means being aware of what's around us. We live just south of downtown Fort Wayne in an area where there is a lot of need. We often see homeless people, or kids wearing inadequate clothes in these frigid temperatures, etc. and when the girls ask about it, it gives me a chance to share with them. Then I ask, how do you think we could help? I usually follow up by letting them know how much God has blessed us and trying to drive home the thought that because we have plenty, we have plenty to give. By no means am I an expert at this, but we're trying...
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