Over the past few years, one of the most requested topics on my speaking circuit has been a lesson in which I list a hundred ideas for training our kids to be servants. Service oriented kids grow up to be productive adult servants in the kingdom and it’s those people to whom the Lord will say, “Come ye blessed of my Father,” according to Matthew 25. So it matters if I’m making a real effort, as a mom, to put the heart of a servant in my child. For this reason, I’ve decided to devote a post, every now and then, to a service suggestion — a simple idea for moms to make their homes busy service centers for young hearts and hands. I’d love to hear from those of you who try them. So here goes:
Sign My Guestbook
Try putting your child (ages 3-15) in the foyer with a brand new and age-appropriate journal-turned-visitor-guestbook in the lobby nearest the door where most visitors enter your church building. Have him watch for visitors, follow them to their seats, wait for them to get comfortably settled in and then politely welcome them and ask them to sign their names and addresses in his “guestbook”. You may even want to make some scripture bookmarks or wrap some small candles in cellophane, tie them off with ribbon and add a scripture about the Light of the world or about walking in the light. These, of course, could be given out at the time your child is asking for the information. A second child could even be the gift-giver.
If I were a visitor, I’d be pleased with this gentle attention from a child. But the best part is that, on Monday or Tuesday, you take the info from the guestbook and send a card crafted by your child to the visitor(s). Make sure you invite them back and perhaps even include an appropriate tract from the great selection at www.housetohouse.com. You MAY influence a visitor to return or even set up a study. You WILL influence a child to be hospitable and evangelistic. You will be a better parent in the process, too.
