Friday, January 4, 2013

Out Of The Mouths of Babes--What Motivates Your Actions?




How often do you pause to think about what motivates your actions? 


Before our schedule got a bit busier with Christmas and family gatherings, Rebekah and I were chatting about a chapter in her devotional, The Walk the Walk Book—It’s a God Thing!  The focus of our discussion was about acts of service.  Rebekah has a beautiful heart to serve others.  Acts of service naturally flow out of this eleven-year-old girl.  However, I wanted to challenge her to search her heart as to what motivates her to seek out opportunities to help those around her and the community abroad.  Rebekah took my challenge seriously and didn’t give me a quick response to merely place a “check mark” by a proverbial to-do list (i.e. math—check, reading—check, chores—check, motivation to help others….hmmm???)

As a parent, it is my privilege and duty to raise my daughter and hopefully impart knowledge and wisdom to her.  Yet, God often chooses to use Rebekah as His vessel to impart His wisdom to me.

This morning Rebekah came to me (completely unsolicited) and shared her inspiration with me.  “Mom, do you remember when you asked me why I like to help others so much?”  “Yes,” I replied.  “I realize I like to help others because it gives me an opportunity to share God’s love, of course.  But even if I don’t have a chance to tell someone (directly) about God, when I help them I can offer them HOPE!” 

I am proud of Rebekah for taking the time to search her heart about her motivation to help others.  She certainly offers a lot of hope to those around her. 

May we be challenged (by this young girl) to take the necessary time to pause and think about what motivates us in life! 
To help those around you, offers HOPE!  I have nothing more to add to this beautiful wisdom—thank you, Rebekah.




Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. 
Proverbs 13:11-13

(This verse is special for Rebekah…she is an inspiration to offer HOPE, as well as the symbolism of the TREE of life…she loves trees!)

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