More about this at the bottom, but I have a new video course – absolutely free – about technology and girls. It’s one way I can serve you!
Today I wrote about serving others on my Proverbs 31 devotional.
Becoming a leader in your home is about becoming a servant. Servant leadership may sound like two opposite ideas, an oxymoron like “jumbo shrimp.”
How are you supposed to lead and serve at the same time? My husband James likes to call it being a “benevolent dictator.” You are soft hearted towards your children, putting their needs above your own, while providing strong guidance. Being a servant doesn’t mean your kids get their way all the time because you are their “servant.”
You are the leader of your home.
But you are humble about it, and you consider your children as people to serve. Your attitude isn’t like, ‘I’m your parent! Serve me!” You want to imitate the attitude of Jesus, the ultimate leader.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Jesus modeled a life of service. That’s the kind of example we want to follow for our own spiritual health, and also for the spiritual health of our kids.
They will learn service from our example. Make it your goal that your children will learn to be comfortable in serving others. Your children will not pick this up by accident or online. Rather, they will learn it by watching you serve them and other people with joy.
You won’t gain the hearts of your children by blowing commands with a whistle like Captain Von Trapp did in The Sound of Music. You won’t win them over by acting as a harsh tyrant. You’ll gain their hearts by praying for them faithfully and fervently. The kingdom of God works differently than the world. Becoming a leader in your home is about becoming a servant. If Jesus himself came to serve, humble service is for us too.
Think about it today. What are a few caring acts of service that you do regularly for your child?
As long as you are doing them (laundry, driving, dishes, etc), you might as well do it with a grateful, servant’s heart.
What are a few different caring acts of service that you could do for your child today?
Here are a few ways you might serve your child this week:
-Help your child practice for their sports team, such as pitch and catch for baseball or shooting free throws for children participating in basketball
-Wake up a half hour earlier to make a special surprise breakfast for your children
-Make a list of several of your child’s favorite screen-free things to do with you. Then periodically do one of their favorites when they least expect it.
-Create flash cards for your child’s upcoming test or quiz. Work together with your child until they feel confident with the material.
-Assist your child in fixing a favorite broken toy or bicycle. Simply taking the time to repair it communicates love to a child whose love language is acts of service.’
Another way to serve is learning about issues that are important to your child’s development. I have a new FREE video course about understanding technology better as it relates to girls. Check out Screen Time: 3 Reasons Why Your Daughter Can’t Stop. It’s free and I believe it will really help you understand your girl and technology’s seductive pull.
