I have to say the verses in Matthew 25 Sally quotes are ones I have been contemplating in a whole new way. I read Frances Chan’s book Crazy Love and I am realizing that our churches are full of so may people that are not living a life that Jesus has called us to live. And that begs the question…if they aren’t, what does that say about their salvation? I think we often get comfortable comparing ourselves to other Christians who may not be living out scripture like they should instead of going right to the bible and seeking out what we are supposed to do.

I love how she also says that noting the needs of others is not natural to sinful people but that you need to model that for and train that in, your children. My children are far from perfect but we talk a LOT about serving around our home. And I am noticing little things, like how my 5 year old will take out the recycle without being asked, get her brother a drink before I even realize he needs it, or, like the other day, my younger daughter was needing some discipline and while my husband was with her, my older daughter cleaned up the whole family room. Which had been my younger daughter’s job. My three year old is also seeing this “modeled” from her older sister and finds cute little ways to serve on occasion.

I LOVE the idea of getting your children involved in deciding where and who you should help. Saving their change, earning money through special chores; these are priceless oppurtunities to cultivate in them a servant’s heart. I know from experience it is much harder to try to cultivate an adult’s heart towards servitude than it is a child’s! I also think having your children pray for a few people regularly is a great way for them to learn to love others. Being “committed” to be in prayer for those in need is a beautiful habit to start!

Another thing I loved is how Sally mentioned that following Jesus and loving Him should be our primary goal. That those actions are not meant to “be nice” or even “be obedient”, although they are; but rather, they are an overflow of the love we have for Jesus and we want to serve him out of love. I think that makes things so much less complicated. I think she mentioned it in this chapter, how she prays for God’s “perspective”, and I have started doing that as well and I am being truly blessed by it.

Don’t we all want to see things from God’s eyes? If we did how would that change our behavior?

And lastly, I was encouraged by her reminder to not just ask our children envision for their future, according to their own wants and desires, but that we should be reminding them that God gave them gifts and strengths to be used for His Glory and that their live will serve as an oppurtunity to live out those gifts to further God’s Kingdom.

And the perfect way to cultivate that in our kiddos is to live that out each and every day. How can we do our schoolwork for God’s Glory? Play with a sibling? Treat the cashier at the grocery store? The child on the playground? Daddy, when he gets home from work? The oppurtunities are endless and I am quite sure that is no accident!

Sorry, for the long post..but I told you I loved this chapter!

I couldn’t help but notice that your recent post about the GIVEAWAY for the absolutely darling baby shoes (including the double-entry with a related blog note) stirred up quite an amazng excitement among your readers.

I’d love to offer a similar GIVEAWAY, to help stir-up a similar excitement for God’s Great Commission (and you know, with those cute shoes on their feet, we can teach our little ones, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things” (Romans 10:15).

If you’d be interested in doing something similar, I’d like to offer you a FREE GIVEAWAY of two of my books, one copy of THE MISSION-MINDED CHILD – Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God’s Purpose, and one copy of THE MISSION-MINDED FAMILY – Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny. Maybe you could have your blog-readers mention a mission-minded Bible verse or famous mission quote to enter. And then we could draw two names. We’ll get their address, and I’ll send out the books.

What do you think?

Thanks again for the encouraging book review!
And blessings to you and your family!
Ann