Shirley’s Prepackaged Crafts

Rewards.  What do we consider a reward?  What about our kids?  And the Lord?

This month in addition to the certificate, arm yourself with tangible treats like M&Ms and give a reward throughout the month when you see and hear any of your children living out what Jesus has called us to – a life of love and grace.  Talk about rewards here on earth and rewards waiting for us in heaven.

Are there acts of kindness that can be shown in secret?  Do them!  Have you overheard one child say to a down-cast sibling, “I’ll do your chores for you” or “I’m sorry for . . . ”

Is one child willing to take the punishment for another?  Has a child come along side of another to offer help and assistance in a loving manner?

Once the concept has caught on, “catch” one of them doing it and then give them a tangible reward (a treat, sticker, sweet grapes, a bit of pop, shinny penny, etc) and tell them how proud you are of them for doing something that doesn’t always come easy.  Choose to make a way to talk about rewards.  Talk about how you want your family to function and live a different kind of way.

If you are not seeing any of these things in your children, then let it start with you.  Instead of a punishment one day, extend grace and tell them what it is, why you are doing it and then introduce them to Jesus who extended grace to us, who so desperately need it.  Tell them all they have to do is ask Jesus to be their friend and for Him to come into their life and help them do what is right.  Then ask them if they want to do that.  Some will say yes (pray with them right there if that’s the case – and then write it down and celebrate!), some will say no.  The spiritual realm is abstract and at this age kids are very concrete learners.  If they have questions and don’t understand, you can talk about how we can not see the wind, but we can see what the wind does and where it blows.  Same is true of God and His son, Jesus.

After a few days of giving rewards, wonder together at God’s rewards.  He is a good and gracious God, filled with creativity.  What does He consider worthy of being rewarded?  Who does He reward?  What kind of rewards does He give?  When does He give them? (Look in your Bible’s concordance under “reward” if you need help.)

Now imagine together how wonderful the reward will be when they see Jesus face-to-face and no reward has been given here on earth! (Matthew 6:3-4)  And remember when you pray together to tell the Lord how proud you are of your child, so they can hear you!