Helping Hands

<h2>Helping Hands</h2>You became imitators of us and of the Lord. <a name="147842aa56114d33_www_biblegateway_com_passage__" href="http://links.biblegateway.mkt4731.com/ctt?kn=17&ms=NDY1ODA5MTES1&r=MjY3OTQ2OTczOTUS1&b=0&j=NDgzODE0MDExS0&mt=1&rt=0" target="_blank">1 Thessalonians 1:6</a> I already knew that children are prone /to imitate their parents, but it was the “Siggie shave” incident// that brought this fact /home /to me. Danae was two years old /the first time she noticed Jim shaving in the morning. She was fascinated and watched every detail /as he soaped his face and applied a razor/ to his skin. We should have known that Danae would try [what she had seen]. The next morning, I came/ into the bathroom and hardly recognized our dachshund, Siggie, who was sitting in his favorite spot /on the furry lid of the toilet seat. Danae had covered his head /with lather and was systematically shaving the hair /from his shiny skull! I screamed, “Danae!” which sent Siggie and his barber scurrying for safety. It was strange [to see our frightened dog /with nothing but ears sticking up on the top of his bald head]. [Our kids’ tendency /to imitate] provides an opportunity /for their parents to teach them. Invite your children /into the kitchen /when you are preparing breakfast, explain [what you are doing], and allow them to stir the pancake batter. Teach them [how to fold the clothes from the dryer]. Show them [how to mow the lawn]. Demonstrate [how to scrub away the dirt on the doors and windows of your car] / when it’s time for a wash. Then bow your head to thank God for giving your family food to eat, clothes to wear, and a place to live. In this way you teach your children, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (<a name="147842aa56114d33_www_biblegateway_com_pass_1" href="http://links.biblegateway.mkt4731.com/ctt?kn=18&ms=NDY1ODA5MTES1&r=MjY3OTQ2OTczOTUS1&b=0&j=NDgzODE0MDExS0&mt=1&rt=0" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:31</a>). It’s true that you may not finish your daily duties /as quickly with the “help” of little hands, but [showing your children how to properly complete tasks at home—especially when handled in a positive, fun manner—]can give them [a wonderful sense of accomplishment], help them develop good attitudes/ about work, and create an enriching time /for the whole family. You’ll be setting an example //that will benefit your children and yourself /in the years ahead. -Shirley M. Dobson