I’ve been trying to teach my kids to have a heart of empathy. One of the ways I’ve been trying to accomplish this is by asking them questions like, “How would you feel if you were that person?” when we read a story. Another good question is “Why do you think they feel that way?” Or “What do you think is making them act that way?”. This really does help kids see others from another perspective. It helps them think about others feelings as well and not focus only on their own emotions in situations. One night, while reading a story about multiple people who needed help in different ways, I asked my kids this question, “How could we help this person?”.
The first situation was a little boy who didn’t have any friends because he was kind of a bully. My son suggested asking the little boy why he was mean and asking him to play and telling him that more people will want to play with him if he is nice.
The next situation was a sick friend and my daughter suggested to take them food and medicine.
The next situation was a teacher having car trouble and being late to school. My son said “They could borrow one of our cars”.
The final situation was a neighbor who needed help with their home and yard and both kids said they would clean the house and the yard.
I’m not sure if you’re picking up on the trend here. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard people say, and even said myself, “Man we need to pray for so-and-so in their situation”. Instead of actually doing something. All of my kid’s answers involved actions.
Now don’t read this wrong, I believe in the power of prayer and I believe God wants us to pray, he wants communication.
“Pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2
BUT, I believe that what we do with and for others shows love in ways they can see and feel.
“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth”. 1 John 3:18
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22
“They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” Titus 1:16And that my friends, is how we share Jesus. That is how we live out love and show discipleship.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
How do we love? How do we help? We act. We do. We be hands and feet of Jesus with our actions in how and when and where we show up for others.
Pray without ceasing because God is the only one who can change circumstances and change lives, then DO something.
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