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Fundraiser turned into appreciation lunch
I so love my church and we are undergoing a three year capital campaign. As a leader in the church, you have to make sure you are plugged in…well, anywhere I go, I try to be plugged in. It has been a challenge and a thrill managing my life and my ministry duties. One of the ways that I am able to juggle the responsibilities is to have Imani connected to ministry as well. She has such a servant’s heart and she loves being involved on our youth ministry. People who know us often tell me how much they appreciate her and how mature she is. I don’t blow it off, but I know that my bar is high and I am plugged in to my family. I know her…and that makes me proud.
What did it for me today though is that a woman who I barely knows says to me, “Your daughter is one of my favorite people. I observed her at a youth function and without her knowing I was watching I saw her walk away from any girls making trouble. I see her working in ministry and she’s always so bubbly. If I could be in her world even some of the time, my life would real good.” My chest started to puff out and I said Thank You and I shared with her how I don’t buy that crap about your teenager is going to turn on you, turn their back on you or they are going to stop listening to you and only listen to their friend. Hogwash! BS!
While I was talking to this woman, I wanted to pat myself on the back. I wanted to put a PP on my chest (Proud Parent), but it wasn’t enough to think about me being a proud parent. I parent on PURPOSE. I work deliberately at giving my children the best we got, actually more than what we got and I pray that we all can kick up the intensity of our parenting so wherever you are, you can pat yourself on the back. Instead of appreciating my daughter, I took a minute to appreciate me.
What is the one thing that you do differently than your parent, your family that has had a positive (or negative effect) on your kids? Please share.
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We sent my oldest son to Australia last summer with People to People. I had this huge fundraising campaign and we successfully raised the money. However a friend of mine is sending her sons this year to Alaska and Australia as she has 5 just like you - but she has them working for the money. Yard and housework. You can hire them. If I had to do it again that is how I would. They didn’t HAVE to do it that way. They live downtown Chicago and vacation in Martha’s Vineyard but she is teaching them to work for what they get. So that is something I would do differently if I had a redo - my son is way lazier that I was my Mom even confirmed it. I went to Europe a few times as a teen and it was paid for so I guess I had no problem raising the money but I started working when I was 13 too.