Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
Each year, our family donates some of our toys to children who won't get one during the holiday season. This year, with a four year old, it has been a little harder. I start with throwing out some of the toys that have gotten no love whatsoever or toys that are missing too many pieces to make them worth giving to another. Josh, my 4 year old, found this pile I had begun one night and started to ask his litany of questions. "Why are these here?" "You're getting rid of them!?" "WHY!!??" (add some whining here). "I LOVE THIS TOY!!"
I sat down to explain to him that (a.) you don't play with it, ever and (b.) some children don't have toys in abundance like we do and that we need to share our things. After a bit of pondering he asks, "Will they give them back when they are done?" (add more whining)
I understood that he loves his toys and that he was a four year old and that this was somewhat normal. But I was still sad that he couldn't understand that someone else wasn't going to get anything this year and my explanation wasn't working because it was just something else out of the mouth of mom.
So instead of another mom-ism bouncing around his head, I decided he needed something else to help him rationalize his decision to give away some of his toys this year rather than to just obediently obey mom. He needed prodding from the Lord. A higher power with a bit more pull than mom. So I pull out the kid devotional that I got on the dollar shelf at the local christian book store and start searching for something to help him be a better giver.
"God loves the person who gives cheerfully!" 2 Corinthians 9:7
There is was! So, I wrote the verse on an index card and waited until bedtime when I have his best attention. I convinced him he was staying up a little later (he felt excited and really special to have one on one time with mom, even if it was in his bed!) I talked to him again about how some children don't have as many toys as he does. "How would you feel if you didn't have this diego next to you? How would you feel if you didn't have a train to play with?" I could really see him thinking about the answer and I really believe that his heart was moved for these little boys. Then I introduced the verse to him. I read it to him one time. Then I asked, "what does cheerfully mean" and we decided it meant "happy"
Then, I asked him to repeat after me. "God loves" ("God loves") "the person" ("the person") "who gives" ("who gives") "cheerfully" ("cheerfully")! We did this three times.
After the second time I added the reference "second Corinthians" ("second Corinthians") "nine seven" ("nine seven")
BONUS: I didn't realized that my two year old was still up in her bed across the room from Josh. Wouldn't you know that after Josh and I did the verse the third time, she chimed in with "cheerfully" in her sweet little two year old voice.
I reminded Josh of the verse as I left the room, "remember that God loves the person who gives cheerfully...tomorrow we will talk more about the toys we are going to give away."
The next day, we had an issue with sharing a toy and instead of shouting "you need to share!!" I said, "let's remember our verse, "God loves the person who gives cheerfully." and they practiced repeating after me.
We continued to use the verse when we needed to share around the house. It was working! I wasn't shouting an empty mom-ism, I was calmly helping my children rationalize their behavior, rather than just obeying mom and I truly believe it was the Holy Spirit at work in my children's hearts!
At lunch, during a bit of silence I said to the kids, "Does anyone remember our verse?"
"God" ("loves")
"the person" ("who gives cheerfully")
"second Corinthians" ("nine seven")
Josh (4yrs) was a pro and Ellie (2yrs) was catching on!!
When dad came home we proudly announced our verse!
I said, "God loves" and Josh said ("the person who gives cheerfully")
We did it for the grandparents too and I discovered that my children were already learning how to evangelize...or at least to become comfortable with sharing scripture!
I didn't think that learning the verse would go as well as it did!
As we are amidst the holiday season, what a great time to teach your children to give with a cheerful heart! I know the Holy Spirit has also been working on me through all this as well!
Feel empowered to teach your children scripture just like you teach them their letters!!
Mom verse: Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:7
Kid verse: God loves the person who gives cheerfully! 2 Cor 9:7
Ellie dancing for Matt during the decorating
Ellies candy cane section
putting on the stockings!!
Matt helping with the star!!
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at home with our new curious george's
loving her new movie!
The ten little indians!
They all brought in their favorite food!
playing in the snow with zach and big willie!!
notice josh has no leaves...
Josh's "T" has a pancake on it...hum.
painted with homemade puff paint
it's a ball.
josh loves orange!!
and ended up with Troy Polamalu and sidney crosby!!!
