Hands and house

Hands and house

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Elementary Watson...

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23

This is a painting in the visitor's lounge at the orphanage....it is so deeply true



We have been thinking and talking a lot this week about parenting these kids that we are so blessed with


(at the orphanage playground)

We kindof jumped into this serving adventure not sure of what it would be like



and while we were there, it was like a lightbulb went on...


(in the nursery)

What do we most want to grow in our children?



There is the saying, "Do what I say, not what I do"...

and yet we all know that our children do just what we model

So...



If we want to grow compassion in our kids



we step out, roll up our sleeves and show compassion

and true joy????



well...what happens when we risk and step out for God and find that He meets us????


it is absolutely contagious....


watching them learn that serving God by serving others is fun!



and we don't have to be anything but exactly who we are


(playing in the Macadamia nut shells from the orchard)

surrendered to God....

Willing to step out and risk


and trust that

God knows both what our kids needs and what we do...

and I have found that

My fears have been washed away,

my kids have grown in love, joy, compassion, servanthood, understanding....they have grown in beauty and I am in awe of what God has done.




Yes, we served others but we have been far more blessed by what God has done ine our hearts.

This is where the Gospel, Scripture and what is truly, deeply important comes into full view.

Merry Christmas all of you!!!!!


Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:26-28

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John10:10


7 comments:

Tara Anderson said...

So precious seeing your kids be the hands and feet of Jesus to those precious little ones! It's great that they're seeing their parents at work, and modeling it at such a young age! I can't wait to see what God is going to do with their early training! You are going to keep a blog that follows them into adulthood, right? :)

Kristina said...

Your children are blessed, Shannon, because you DO model compassion for them. What a joy to read this post - Merry Christmas!

Gretchen said...

Mery Christmas to your sweet family!

Carla said...

Thankyou for sharing and posting pictures!! It is wonderful to get a little glimpse of the kids that I know,the names that I recognize and the descriptions I could have written about them myself! What a blessing to your family and the little ones you loved on. You are teaching your own kids what a big God they have and how to love His precious little ones. Blessings.

Carla said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jewels of My Heart said...

Beautiful...................
I just can't find the words.....
I know that when we were in Peru... the more He poured us out, the more He poured into us... we were overflowing!
I love you and your beautiful family sister!

Karen said...

This is my first visit. I came from Charlotte's prayer list. Saying a prayer for Georgia today and praying God's blessings for your family! happy new year!

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