Give without Sparing

 

 

As a parent of Toddlers I can barely contemplate anything further than nap time. On the rare occasion that I get a good nights sleep I wonder what my kids will be like 5, 10, or 20 years from now.

I've heard everyone say it at least once. "I'm going to give my children everything my Parents didn't do for me". As far as I'm concerned I want my kids to be happy, healthy, and a genuinely good person.

 

Now, I realize my children are too young to realize what good Character is, but that doesn't mean I don't want them to see me living it.

This photo was my desktop picture for months. Everyday I logged onto the computer I scanned over this list. Was I living like this. Did I show my children how to be a good or at least better person that day? The "Act of Love" that always stands out to me is #3; Give without Sparing.

We have all seen and heard the incredible Random acts of Strangers and we even watch it in movies. 7 pounds and Pay It Forward. Examples of the extremes strangers will go to, to make this world a better place. And even last year during Christmas Time when strangers were paying off Layaway. Is this something I could do. A meal out for my family ends up around $50. Could we skip this one time and donate it?

I've had this discussion many times. Co-workers who didn't believe that "when you give you will receive". Bill and I always donate at the register when we are asked but do we do it so we aren't thought of as "bad people" or are we doing it because of our Character.

 

I browsed lists and blogs of Simple acts of Kindness I could perform on a daily basis.

 

1. Making Baked Goods for Local volunteers... I have a feeling though Leah might think of this as a "Random Act of Torture" having to watch precious cookies slip out of her grip

 

2. Tip your waiter a generously even when the service was bad

 

or even 3. Leave dollar Bills in the Toy department for Kids to find

 

So this is what the Kids and I came up with...

 

 

The Plastic Bag Reads: Enjoy This Random Act Of Kindness

 

It contains $2.00 in quarters for someone to use.

I possibly only fueled this "Random Person's" caffeine addiction but in the long run I have no idea how this person may Pay it Forward.

But most of all, My Children watched me Give without Sparing ($2.00 or not) 

 If I want to teach my children how to Build Character. I need to work on myself first.