Cultivating Compassion in Your Kids

Having studied the life of Jesus, there is a repetitive phrase in the Bible that grips me every single time.  “He had compassion on them…”  Notice, never do we read, “He felt obligated, he was hoping to get something in return, he was fulfilling a quota or checking good deeds off a list, etc.”  Jesus lived a life of compassion.  I desire nothing more than to pattern my life after Christ and lead my children to do the same, so it is obvious that as a parent I must cultivate compassion in my kids. 

    

Each of my little blessings possesses character traits that can be fostered and developed to increase their compassion for others.   For example, one of my little guys is very attentive when people are in harm’s way.  He gets very concerned if someone around him is injured or sick.  My other little man vividly remembers his earliest years in Ethiopia and what it is like to be without food or material possessions.  He is the voice of truth so often reminding us all to be thankful for our fortunate circumstances.  My sweet girl has a genuine servant’s heart.  Nothing brings a smile to her face more quickly than being able to be a helper or do an act of service for someone else. 

While the end goal is for my children to live a life of compassion of their own choosing, I realize that at their current ages they will often need my guidance either in recognizing times to be compassionate or seeking out ways to show we care.  Observing my children’s inclinations and knowing their strengths and weaknesses better helps me lead them in opportunities to extend compassion to others.  I will understand times that they will instinctly rise to the occasion and times where a little prodding or explanation is needed. 

How can you cultivate compassion in your kids?

My husband and I have always strived to value all people as God’s dearly loved children.  This takes many forms from simply offering a listening ear, interceding in prayer, sending a card, making a hospital visit, taking a meal, babysitting children, etc.  Other times, it involves sacrificing our time, money, and possessions.  Sometimes we must physically go to those in need whether it is in another room, across town, or in another country.   All of these examples of compassion are lived publicly, day in and day out, right before our children’s eyes.  In no way is it as a form of “Hey, look at me!” because we fail far too often.  Instead, because we have been completely changed by God’s grace, mercy, and love, how can our lives be anything but compassion-filled? 

If you are living out compassion in your daily life, your children will take notice and will ask questions.  Enter openly into dialogue with them so that they may come to understand your motivation in serving.  I can think of two very recent examples of doing just this with my kiddos.

·         Often when a homeless person is on the side of the road, I offer a bottle of water, package of crackers, or some other food staple we try to carry in the van.  On a recent occasion, I had none of these items, so I pulled a few dollar bills from my wallet.  It was a long light, so when handing the gentleman the money I was able to ask his name and promise to pray for him before driving away.  One of the kids asked why I had to give that man money.  In response, I was able to share that I didn’t have to, but because God has blessed us I was able to help someone less fortunate.  I asked the kids if they remembered his name.  When they did, I reminded them that each of us is precious in God’s sight.  Others may not treat this man kindly because of his situation, but by asking his name we could not think of him as “one of those homeless guys” but remember him as a child of God.  Then, we prayed together for the gentleman.

·         Just last month, I led a supply drive for an orphanage in Ethiopia that cares for HIV+ children.  The goal was to collect 100 tubes of anti-fungal cream to meet one of their current needs.  Through FB, blogging, and word-of-mouth efforts, donations came in.  We were receiving packages and checks in the mail.  I could have handled this all privately out of sight.  Instead, I took the kids with me to purchase cream and had them help me package it to mail.  All the while, we had conversations about the children without families, their medical needs, God’s deep love for them, and God’s people working together to care for them.

·         Pray for those in need
·         Make cards for shut-ins, the sick, military personnel serving away from their families, etc.
·         Create care packages for orphans, kids entering foster care, college students, soldiers, new moms, new neighbors, etc.
·         Pack  Operation Christmas Childshoeboxes
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·         Visit hospital patients, nursing home residents, children in group homes, etc.
·         Cook a meal and deliver it
·         Purchase and wrap Christmas gifts for children less fortunate
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·         Collect school supplies, stuffed animals, medical supplies, etc. to be donated to community or global organizations
·         Get involved in meal-packing
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·         Pack ziplock bags with bottled water, peanut butter crackers, slim jim’s, nuts, etc. to keep in the car to offer homeless people you pass by on the road
·         Volunteer as a family
·         Sponsor a child (I recommend Children’s HopeChest and Compassion International)
·         Go on a mission trip

THE LIST AND IDEAS ARE ENDLESS!!!!!