Our schedule this school year has me seeing all my classes once a week except for two. I have one 2nd Grade & one 4th Grade twice a week. This creates a dilemma of what to do with the "extra" day. I decided that we'd use this time to create art that would be gifted to the school (collaborative projects to beautify the building), to elderly in our community, and possibly area hospitals. Once I shared this idea with my students, they were excited to use their art to brighten the days of others. Sometimes students are very possessive of their creations, and you never know how they will respond to "giving" their work away. I actually feel their more excited to create for others than for themselves. I hope they will carry this with them throughout their life.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10-11
We all have gifts, talents, and skills that can used to minister to & serve others. Sometimes we become possessive of our time, talent, and finances. It is not always intentional. Life is busy. Life can be challenging. We get so inwardly focused at times that we neglect to look up and see the needs around us. This is something that Jesus NEVER did. He had his eyes & heart focused on the world around him. He saw not only their basic needs in life (food, finances, health..etc), but he saw their hearts' need for a Lord & Savior. He met people where they were & ministered to their needs. This is the life he has called us all to as well. We must freely give our gifts with a gracious and loving heart in order to be the people God has called us to be. It is not an obligation...it is an opportunity to be Jesus to the world around us!
We all have gifts, talents, and skills that can used to minister to & serve others. Sometimes we become possessive of our time, talent, and finances. It is not always intentional. Life is busy. Life can be challenging. We get so inwardly focused at times that we neglect to look up and see the needs around us. This is something that Jesus NEVER did. He had his eyes & heart focused on the world around him. He saw not only their basic needs in life (food, finances, health..etc), but he saw their hearts' need for a Lord & Savior. He met people where they were & ministered to their needs. This is the life he has called us all to as well. We must freely give our gifts with a gracious and loving heart in order to be the people God has called us to be. It is not an obligation...it is an opportunity to be Jesus to the world around us!
What a great perspective to turn something that could have been seen as a "problem" into a gift! Another great post Mr. E.!
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