A Giving Tradition

My husband and I are trying to teach our children (even the grown ones) to live their lives with a giving heart. We have been showered with blessings and even in the toughest times, God is still generous in His giving. So, every New Years, we give our daughters something small that they need and remind them to be aware of others and to help others if they see a need they can fill.

Things You’ll Need:
A Family
Compassion
Desire to Give to Others

Step 1
The first thing you need to start a tradition of giving is a compassionate heart. You need to seek God daily asking Him to show you who needs you or your help today. Ask Him to make you aware of those around you and their needs. Even if you can’t help the person, God may send someone your way because you know someone who can help them. Be conscious of the people around you.
Step 2
You need to WANT to help others when you can. Don’t go crazy getting in everyone’s face, prying into their personal lives to see what they might need. Just care enough to hear what people are really saying. For example: There’s a single mom at your work who has been struggling with her babysitter not being reliable. Your dependable sister just quit teaching to open a new pre-school for parents who can’t afford pre-school. Give your co-worker your sister’s number. You probably helped both women with one thoughtful gesture.
Step 3
Here’s another great way to carry on a tradition of giving. When someone does something nice for you and doesn’t want anything in return, pay it forward. Oprah Winfrey had this on her talk show. It’s when you do something for someone else and don’t accept anything for it. It really isn’t hard to make someone feel special or to bring light to their life. Some people have a hard day everyday, but just a kind or helpful gesture from just one person might bring them a moment of relief/joy/hope. Shouldn’t everyone have hope?
Step 4
You may be asking yourself: How is this article about teaching? Easy! If you help someone when your children are around or you casually mention how someone did something for you and didn’t want anything in return, they will hear you. They will see your giving spirit and they will feel the joy and peace that comes with giving.
Step 5
If you don’t already, read your Bible with your children. Set aside 30 minutes everyday (more if you can) and read about the compassion Jesus has for us. Read about all the giving going on in the Bible. Let your children talk and ask questions. You never know when you might get the opportunity to teach them about giving and the hope giving brings to others.

* When your children are with you, sometimes it’s hard to see others. You are more distracted with your children and possibly grand children. This is the best time to teach compassion, giving and hope. Ask God to make you more aware of the needs around you.

* Just think of what the world we live in could be like if the next generation was full of a giving spirit and a compassionate heart. It can start with you.