Well......
My rice dinner experiment backfired in the most unimaginable way ever. I will try to make it through this post without sobbing.
My plan was simple by serving simply white rice and water as a surprise to my 6 children-
It was to be a lesson in:
" We are using this as a visual and physical lesson in the harsh reality of poverty and hunger. With a message in gratitude for the absurd abundance most of us know."
I had it all planned- My children were to be seated at the table served only rice and water- Then after their dismay we were going to discuss what God has to say about poverty and hunger. I was going to show them a heart of gratitude-!!!!
But then this is what happened. Okay-Don't cry Steffany....
I sat them down. First they looked a little surprised. Then one by one they thanked me for dinner and ate. I was humbled. I was floored. Wait a minute..They were suppose to protest or something. But NO! They sat there thankful for their food. We then prayed and talked about FEED THE FORGOTTEN and each of my kids selfishly offered all the money they had. They were each excited about how many people they could feed. As I sat there amazed...It was MY heart that the LORD filled.
After dinner they all helped clear the table, but they did it differently... I can't explain it. Except to say we all walked away BLESSED!
I am in awe of my children's hearts. They continually sacrifice in so many ways. I am so proud to be their mother.
*The best part is when my 8 year old said it was the best dinner she ever had.*
14 comments:
I have chills reading this and tears in my eyes! I hope you see that this says something about the mother you are to them. You are showing them God's word every single day! I only hope to be as good a mom to my children. To teach them the way you teach your children! Great job Steffany! You inspire me!
Wow, Steff! That is incredible! We are blessed beyond words. Love you guys!
So beautiful Steffany. Children accept so many things that are hard for us as adults. We used to have only rice for lunch every Saturday as a reminder of those who have only that or even less. We would read from Voice of the Martyrs for children while we ate. The kids never questioned or complained. It made perfect sense to them that we would want to do this.
Thank you for this post. You have inspired me to start doing this again.
Blessings to you!
Sarah
I ditto Candace. What amazing parents you guys are. They are just following in your footsteps as you follow in your Father's footsteps. Awesome, just awesome!
Steffany, I love this post!!! WOW!! I pray my kiddos would respond in such a loving and thoughtful and compassionate way!! This was so inspiring!!
I hope we can bring our families together someday & meet in person:)
xoxo
OH MAN!!! God bless your sweet little kids. Gotta love being proved wrong here. Your kids ROCK!!!!!!! Which of course means you rock too ;)
Beautiful, simply beautiful...to be child-like...oh, Lord to be child-like! Now if we could get the grown ups to 'get' it so clearly!
Love this Stef...Kids really do get it so much quicker than us grown ups. This always happens to me when I think I'm going to teach them some big life, spiritual lesson.
Love you,
Missy
what a blessing. children's hearts amaze me.
Your generous heart and the example you are to your children is altogether inspiring! They obviously watch you closely and are following in your footsteps. Children do indeed learn by example - and what a great example they have raising them!
Where to start...well, it shows that God is working in so many ways around there. It shows that your kids have a tender heart toward the needy. It shows that your parenting is working.
What a precious story. And beautiful hearts.
Love this. . God is so good.
I'm so thankful for you as an example of a great mom. Your kids and their simple obedience and EXCITEMENT to join God in His work says so much about you and Adam.
Tell the kids I said Thank you . . and many children in Uganda say it too. They'd say, "thank you vedy, vedy much. Our hearts overflow"
Love you,
Bran
PS just linked this too!
Wow, I am amazed! I can only pray that all of us would have a heart like a child. We don't give them nearly enough credit. Thanks for the idea. We have been wanting to do something like this for awhile and I will be doing it this week. I think it would be great to do this once a week and use the money we would have spent on a normal meal to give to Feed the Forgotten.
What a blessing! Praise God for how He is already at work in and through them! They are blessed to have yo as mom!
Blessings sweet friend!
Joy
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