Lord, Make Me A Servant

Each day, I pray for the Lord to show me where I may be lacking as a mom. A while back, I was convicted about how my children acted when they were asked to do things for others. As we train our children to do chores and to help others, we must also teach them to do it with a servant’s heart, full of humility. They shouldn’t expect to be rewarded for doing things asked of them. They need to learn that doing chores and helping others is part of being a family or community. Jesus served others. He didn’t do it for gain, but as an example for us to follow. He did it, expecting nothing in return.

I am not saying that we shouldn’t reward our children, but we need to be sure they understand they are not owed anything for doing what is right and good. It is their attitude and heart we are after here. We want them to have a good attitude toward serving others. We want them to be obedient and compassionate out of love, not their desire for the latest toy.

I am all for encouraging our children. Our words must show them that we are pleased with their actions and attitudes, but when we are giving them toys or candy every time they display the correct behavior, they will expect that all the way into adulthood. I feel that is what is wrong with many adults today. They expect something each time they perform their duties. Let’s raise our children with humble hearts, who are willing to do what is right, even when no man is looking.

I love the verses in Luke 17:7-10: “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink?’ Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ”

I want my children to have a servant’s heart, just like their Savior. He was willing to serve. The best example of Him serving others was when he washed his disciples’ feet. The KING was willing to get on the dirty ground and wash very dirty feet to show us that we need to be willing to serve. Serving like this shows true humility and love toward others. Jesus didn’t care what others thought; he just wanted to love on his brothers.

Sometime during the next month, I would like to encourage you all to do something very special as a family. We have found this activity to be an incredible way to teach humility. It is a family footwashing. Each person chooses another, and they wash each other’s feet. You can do this while listening to or reading the Bible aloud. The passage of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet is found in John 13:1-17. It an amazing experience. I promise it will be a life-changing moment in your homes.

My name is Betty Daley. I am a wife, mother, and homeschooling teacher. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 24 years and we have six children. I have been homeschooling for 20 years. Our older three have graduated The Daley Academy, and we continue to homeschool our younger three. We love sharing about our homeschooling adventures. Our family motto is “Do all to the glory of God”. We pray that we can encourage others as we give you a look into our lives. https://letsgetreal2016.blogspot.com/