When a Good thing goes . . .Good!

I love to read. If boredom begins to set in, I will read anything that is placed, or happens to be in front of me. This idea came from such an experience as I sat perusing Hot Mama's copy of "Rachael Ray Everyday."

Yes . . . I know.

In the most recent edition was a section for Holiday traditions. One of them was something called, or that I called, service jars.

Here is what we did. One Monday night we gathered all the children and came up with 24 ideas of how they could serve others during the month of December. Simple things, like; opening doors, smiling at others, or hanging out with those who have less friends. Then the ideas were typed  and nine copies printed. Later that night each child cut their ideas into 24 individual slips of paper. These slips were then placed into small individual jars (that we purchased at a dollar store) for each family member.

Every morning as we begin the day we each individual chooses one slip of paper from their Jar. The paper is read, then placed in a small gift box and becomes our Gift to Christ that day. Through out the day we look for any and all opportunities to serve others. The results have been fantastic.

Each day the children share how they tried to serve others. One day, little man pulled out "Smile at others". From then on he had a constant smile on his face, when I dropped him off for school I said "have a good day", he looked back with his biggest smile and said, "Have a much better day"! Squishy, among other things,  changed every diaper yesterday, without being asked, (no small task for a 7 year old) because her's that day was "Help others as much as you can" Tiny invited a less popular kid to hang out. His Highness encouraged those who were down one day. . .

I could go on and on.

It has changed our children from just wanting, to wanting to give. Even the youngest ones are focused more on what their sheet says than on what they are asking for or perhaps receiving this year. The Christmas season is more about Service and love.

All this from a "wasted" moment looking at a cooking magazine, 1 dollar jars, and seven pieces of paper. 

Life can be so simple and wonderful!

Merry Christmas