Pint-Sized Activists

This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'

(Zechariah 7:9)

One of the best parts of having an older sibling, is when you get to be an auntie before becoming a mommy. You see great ideas in action and build a tool chest for when you have your own kids! One particular thing I LOVE is the way my brother and sister-in-law have built compassion into their children's lives. As my niece grew and started asking questions about people, lifestyles, and poverty she soon learned that the world is full of need. Moved by compassion, she decided to do something about feeding the poor who live a world away. At first she was perplexed, because she didn't have a job (at age 3!)
She ultimately decided to paint pictures, sell them to friends and family, and buy a variety of things for others through Samaritan Purse's catalog. Her dad gave her tips on technique and helped her frame her work. She even accompanied him to an art show last summer, selling her work beside his. People love contributing to her cause. To date, she's raised and donated about $500!!! She's helped stock a fish pond; donated fruit trees, honeybees, chicks, and milk for babies. She also has donated to the service of helping a child to read and write, as well as introducing a child to God's Word. Her mom says she was originally inspired to help because God tells us to help widows and orphans in the Bible. Many are inspired by her childlike faith, including her family.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

 (Matthew 11:25-30)

Watching my niece become a pint-sized activist made me so excited for the day when my own kids would be old enough to understand and show others compassion.

So how do we instill this gift in our kids?

"During his talks, the Dalai Lama emphasizes how important it is for children to experience compassion from their caregivers from birth. True compassion involves being highly attuned to your child's needs, and accepting them for the unique persons they are." http://www.squidoo.com/teach-kids-compassion

Besides treating our kids compassionately, there are fun ways to introduce the idea. Show a child how to share, and how to respect younger siblings. Start talking about it in everyday conversation.

Our daughter started asking questions about the way other people live when she heard about new places. Do people in Africa have houses like us? What do people in Afghanistan eat? As we explained poverty in an age-appropriate manner, she naturally desired to reach out. The other day, she approached me with an idea, saying she knew how we could help poor people. We can give them things! So we sat down and I recorded her talking about this idea. She went on to say that our family couldn't take care of everyone's needs, that we needed more people to help.

I told her about an organization called CareNet that helps new moms. She decided to donate, some of her own clothes, and we went shopping at our local children's consignment shop. They were having a massive sale, so we ended up getting 60% off the already low prices on gently used infant clothing.

She helped me choose the outfits, and we bought her some pajamas to replace the ones she was donating. For the above pictured 8 outfits and two onsies, we paid a mere $12!!! If we were shopping at Walmart, we would have only gotten 1 to 2 outfits for that price. On Monday, we're going to take the clothes to our local CareNet office, and she is hoping to meet some of the moms and babies. :)

Fun ways to grow compassion:

1. Sponsor a child! I've been sponsoring Zawadi since she was eight. Now she's about to graduate from high school and Compassion International's program. Soon we'll start sponsoring a child close to our kid's ages. Have your kids write letters, draw pictures, and pray for the sponsored child.

2. Volunteer! Bring your kids along if you can. Let them see you serving food at a shelter, and eating beside those who stop in for the meal.

3. Take them on mission trips! When they get older take them along on short term trips to help rebuild a community devastated by a storm, or get involved with local Habitat for Humanity builds. Check out Teen Mania Ministries' Global Expeditions at http://www.teenmania.com/. I had an awesome experience volunteering on the Texas campus, and doing the expedition into Mexico.

4. My husband would like to add: helping turtles cross the road. Seriously, though, teach your kids how to care for animals. If you don't have pets, go to the zoo and aquarium and have your kids talk with the animal keepers.

5. Let your kids help around the house! Share in chores, participate in writing thank-you notes or sympathy cards, and let them clean up their messes.

6. Give wings to their ideas!!! If your child comes up with a plan or idea to make the world a better place---run with it! It doesn't matter how impractical it may seem to the adult mind, let the child experience the entire process, from idea formulation to seeing how their compassion affects other people.

7. If you dare to be radical, like friends of mine, take in a homeless youth, and give them a place to call home. 

8. Take your kids to visit an assisted living home! Whether you go caroling during the holidays, or just stop in to visit a relative, children have the power to brighten a the residents' day. My friend invited us to go on a visit with her last summer. The elderly folks beamed at just seeing the little ones.

9. Consider adoption or foster care! Watch this awesome video about a couple who has adopted 9 children:

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.  He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.

(Deuteronomy 10:17-18)