"Can I help in the nursery today?"
Her daughter's question surprised Melinda. Molly was only in fourth grade.
"You're too young, aren't you?" Melinda asked.
"Amanda is helping," Molly said, referring to an older friend. "She said there were a lot more babies today than usual."
After getting an OK from the nursery director, Melinda agreed. Later, Melinda thought that serving in the nursery might be a good way to encourage Molly to help others. The next week, she asked the nursery director if Molly could volunteer once a month.
"She's a little young, but she did great the other day. I'm willing to give it a try," the nursery director said.
Molly was thrilled. A year later, Molly still plays with the babies. The experience has helped shape her view of church as a place to give as well as receive.
Copyright © 2008 by Melinda Means. Used by permission. ThrivingFamily.com. This article first appeared in the November 2008 issue of Focus on Your Child Tween Ages newsletter in "Seven Ways to Focus on Others."
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