The Obama challenge

Dear Friends in Christ -

Did you know that our President-elect called for today (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) to be a day of service? I learned about Obama's call for a day of service on a couple days ago, so I didn't have much time to plan. But one of our family goals is to participate in "helping others" (loving kindness and social justice) together as a family, so we wanted to do something.

Ed and I have found that with two little kids, "helping others" is harder than you might think. Our kids want to help, but still need help to be helpful - they can't be relied on to have a lot of focus and stamina, they need transportation, and they don't have much money to fund their endeavors. The surprise, for me, is that they do really like to help. I'm surprised, of course, because when we suggest they pick up their shoes or clean their room, we get - shall we say - a less than enthusiastic response. But whenever we've suggested something to help others, they've been game to try. Wynne even heard the announcement at church about the foodbank needing help and asked if she could buy something to donate.

I'm proud of my kids. In the last 4 months, we've done four "good things" (as they call them) as a family: helped with a Halloween party for the kids at Sister Theresa's pre-school in Bridgeport, helped with toys at Toys for Tots, gave food (paid for with money from their allowance!) to help restock the local foodbank that helps families of school kids in Shelton, and, today, took flowers to a lady who's been sick for a while. The best part: all of these things have -in one way or another - been connected with St. Paul's. My kids understand that they're not the only ones doing good things.

Today, my prayer is that, as they grow, my kids - and yours - will have an opportunity to see how all the "good things" they do add up. To make the world a better, more beautiful place. To take us closer to heaven.

Faithfully yours,
Janet+