Several years ago, we were getting ready to head on over to a Soup Kitchen to serve dinner to a room full of people. I was taking my three boys for the first time. I was a little nervous, not knowing how they would react. We arrived early enough to help set out the desserts and get everything ready to serve the individuals. Each family was assigned a table.
Once people began to arrive, we began to serve the salad. Our job was to make sure each person received a salad and to clear off the plate when they were finished. My three sons were doing a good job helping to serve at our assigned table. I liked that I could keep an eye on them, monitor how they were doing. Next we carried out the dinner plates; I helped my youngest because I did not want him to drop any plates on the floor. As a Mother I was proud. Then I realized I lost sight of my oldest son. “Where was he?” I was a little worried, but thought maybe he was hiding out in the kitchen somewhere.
Suddenly I realized he was not only helping “our table”, but everyone else’s also. He was moving in a fast but diligent manner; speaking kindly to everyone he helped serve. When it came time to have dessert he made sure he got the biggest pieces for the people he served. The people were in love with him. And my son made them feel like either a King or Queen that day.
My oldest son, up until that moment, had been my “challenge” son. He questions everything, challenges me on silly things, and gives manly man and me a run for our money. But that night I walked away realizing, “Lord he was in his element. And his element is to serve you.”
“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”
~ Calvin Coolidge ~
Former President of the United States
Head on over to Darlene for more wonderful takes on this quote.
That’s wonderful! What a gift…a son that desires to serve!
What a beautiful story of your son discovering his gifts. Bless you!
Absolutely beautiful. Isn’t it thrilling when we find them in their element and realize what God sees in them. Awesome!
Oh, Laurel. Thank you so much for sharing this story. It reminds me of the times when our son was serving at the youth program at our home congregation. A challenge for us, but not in public…
Blessings on your day and always…
Wow, that almost made me cry. Isn’t it wonderful to see the Lord working through your kids. There is nothing like it!
sweet! You brought a tear to my eye. It’s so wonderful to watch our children excell in the Lord’s work isn’t it?
What an amazing gift you have in your son. Mine is also beginning to show signs of wanting to serve and it lights my heart with joy!!
What a Christlike quality- the desire to serve and to do so diligently. I love it how God gives us these little glimpses, especially when things have been “challenging” in other areas. It’s as if He’s saying, “Don’t worry. I’m on it. S/he’s mine.”
It’s very evident that you are “raising him up in the way he should go” and I have no doubt he gets his servant’s heart in part by seeing it modeled by his godly mother. Thanks for sharing this story!
I just posted on this- sort of, and had no idea what the words were for today.
I love to hear stories about kids doing for others. They learn it an an early age and it continues on.
It is so great to see our children growing in the Lord and doing things that we taught them….but doing it without us telling them to…it’s become a part of who they are….thanks for sharing
Blessings
I love it when we begin to see spiritual gifts developing in our children, and when we begin to see what kind of a flower these young seedlings have become. I have a thorny little stinker right now (my five year old). You give me hope.
Whew!
What a wonderful story and a wonderful son! God bless!
Kim
That’s so sweet. It is always surprising to see our kids acting out in the ways that they are gifted.
That’s a wonderful moment to cherish. My younger son is all grown up and a pastor now. Last evening he and his wife went over to my mom and dad’s house (they just moved in a couple of weeks ago) so they could give them hand with the unpacking. His wife brought dinner, and he helped his grandpa with some of the heavier work.
It never gets old – seeing God’s hand in our children’s lives. And they are always our kids – no matter how old they are (even if they do have two little girls of their own).
I loved this post.
Laurel, I’ve come to believe if we can shape and direct the “difficult” tendencies of our children, what could be a weakness will mature into a beautiful strength. It’s not easy…having kids keeps me humble and reliant on God as He shapes ME through parenting my children. Once I got that perspective, it changed the way I saw them
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He sounds like a natural servant–what a gift!
How beautiful to see that gift come to the surface in your son! Thanks for sharing your sweet memory with us.
(And thanks for your sweet email yesterday!)
What a sweet, sweet story. Sometimes it’s our “challenging” children that surprise us the most.
how incredible that must have felt to see your son in his godly element! thanks for sharing