Serving Others

By Kristy Solis

It is easy for children to serve others, especially when others are kind and grateful.

My husband and I are both part of the service industry; therefore, we try to role model how to serve others in every aspect of our lives.

However, how do you teach your child to serve others when the other person or in this case a child is not kind?

My daughter experiences this harshness routinely.  As a parent, I try to instill in both my children what was taught to me by my parents, “When something unpleasant happens to you by another, pray for this individual; since, this person needs these prayers the most then continue to serve them in spite of.”

My daughter did not understand so we turned to the Bible for an answer.

When I mentioned this to another mother, she directed me to this Bible verse –Matthew 5 38-42 –  to share with my daughter: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”

When we discussed this passage, it helped my child to see unkind children in a different light.

Think about how do you deal with the unkindness in the world? And how do you teach your child about it?

Let us pray to the Lord that he assists us as families to serve others and sow the oats of serving others even when there is nothing in return except God’s will.