The habit of rewarding service

 Habits for life  10 Responses »
Dec 192009
 

Part Two of Chores or Service Opportunities?

As parents, we want our children to have wisdom, faithfulness, and diligence.  They need to be able to handle money wisely.  They also need to learn how to work.  We combine these two goals; we pay our children for a portion of their work around the house.

The bible clearly links work with material gain.  It also links work to our very sustenance (2 Thes. 3:10-12).

God does not give allowances to those who won’t work (although He does provide for those who can’t).  We are living in a time when some believe that they are “entitled” to something for which they did not work.

“What do your children do with all of that money?” you may ask.  We divide earnings into seven categories: Continue reading »

Chores or service opportunities?

 Habits for life, Housekeeping Habits  13 Responses »
Dec 152009
 

Which sounds better to you – a household task or a chance to help? When I think of chore I think of Eeyore, hanging his head down because he has to rebuild his house of sticks, again. However, in service, we can choose to find freedom. The Bible urges us to serve one another in Galatians 5:13:

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom…

In our home, we have basic expectations for everyone. Make your bed. Pick up after yourself. Clear your spot at the table. Maintain your jurisdiction. Most things above and beyond the basics we will gladly PAY to be done. Paid jobs are called service opportunities.

Home Blessing Hour. One fun way the children can earn quick service opportunities money is during our weekly home blessing hour. This time is similar to Kendra’s Power Hour. We put jobs on strips of paper and each draws one. The timer is set for 10 minutes. Home blessing includes: Continue reading »

Ready, set, go!

 Habits for life, Housekeeping Habits  7 Responses »
Dec 012009
 

The habit of being ready

Here they come. Piling loudly through the church door. One child’s ankles are neglected – no socks. The wind and cold swirl inside behind them. The youngest girl’s pigtail is flopping and about to come out. Another child tugs on mother’s arm. Mom is harried and worn, her lips a thin, straight line. She wears no coat herself and carries all the necessary bags. She seems a bit relieved the family made it but mostly it looks like she just needs to sit down.

I used to be that mother. Some Sunday mornings, I admit I still am that mother. Those weeks that I don’t plan ahead. I don’t check the calendar and I don’t prepare. I am that frazzled mother lacking a smile and a coat.

So how can you make a habit of being ready for church? Or any event? How can you walk through the door with everything you need, on time, with several children in tow?

The answer rests in simple planning. Rather than compacting all you need to do into one, stressful morning, do a little throughout the week. Think of it as daily steps towards Sunday worship. Make Sunday the focus of your week. Continue reading »

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