For August 10th:

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."  Psalm 127:3-5

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

Scott and I make a conscious effort to try to teach our boys to serve others and help those less fortunate (we are so happy to be in a church that stresses service to others).  We go downtown once a month and feed the homeless.  This is a good reminder for all of us that we have so many blessings.  All of the boys are so good with everyone we encounter, and the people we meet leave an impression on all of us.  Then we go home, and sometimes I wonder if they are really getting the message.  And then there are days, like today, when I see God working in them.  While we were cutting through the Walmart parking lot, there was a man standing near the intersection with a sign asking for help.  He had on his Vietnam Vet hat and was carrying an oxygen tank that he was hooked up to.  I had no money in my purse, so I dug out all of the spare change I had in my cup holder and handed it to him.  He thanked me and the light changed to green. As I pulled away and turned onto Gunbarrel Rd, the boys were calling out to me from the back seat.   Matthew and Christopher had money of their own that they wanted to give this man.  I told them that I could go back if they really wanted me to.  A little piece of me was hoping that they would say never mind and we could head to our next destination without having to navigate that parking lot again.  Instead, they said, "Can you?"    I headed back around into the Walmart parking lot, and rolled down my window as we approached this man again.  I told him that my boys wanted to give him some of their own money.  I was as shocked as he was when the boys handed me $10 to give to this stranger.

Thank you God for giving my children such big, kind hearts that don't judge people by appearances.  Thank  you for giving me 3 amazing gifts in Michael, Matthew, and Christopher.

Danielle Brinkley