Our entire family is so extremely far away from that perspective. And I don't see it getting any better on its own. As an example, Jackson just recently made the connection between the little coins he gets and purchasing Hot Wheels (and it was my doing...I took him to the store and showed him how the whole free market works). He is now obsessed with earning enough (a whole dollar!) to buy the next one. And I know the drill. As soon as that one is purchased, the thrill of it is gone and he wants another one. Why? Because material things will never satisfy, of course.
I have always felt a bit discouraged at the thought of getting to the place where Kristi has gotten because I cannot imagine how I could get my kids to think that way. No, wait a second. Yes, I CAN imagine a way. I just don't know if it will work.
As a method of encouragement for other moms in my shoes, I am going to chronicle my journey towards giving my children a love-burden for the lost world. As with so many things, this is not a sprint but a marathon. You can't do anything in a rocket-ship fashion and expect the propulsion to last. So I am starting by collecting ideas of ways kids can help. I am on the hunt for hands-on, experiential, show the kids a bigger perspective opportunities. I want them to fall in love with the idea of helping. It seems like this is at least a two-pronged first step:
- first expose them to needs through conversation, books, maybe an Internet video or two.
- second, get them to see that these people are helped by other people doing something.
So, off I go. Like I said, I will update you on how the marathon is going, and hopefully provide enough information and encouragement for you to take similar steps for your kids, if and when you tackle this "giant."
