Weekend Kindness
Reaching Others Through Kindness

This past Sunday our church did something that we’ve done in the past except with a little twist. 

Every year we have what we call “The Carols of Christmas” which is basically a talent night where people sing specials, read poetry, read or recite scripture, and sing Christmas hymns.  The difference this year was that we actually “took the show on the road”– right down the road to the Presbyterian nursing home.

These people love children, and knowing this we made sure to bring all three of ours.  The funny thing, however, is that our kids are bashful when they first meet someone.  I like this and I don’t like this:

Reasons that I Like This

I really don’t want my kids so comfortable around strangers that they would get into a car with one.  A short while back I was in a Wal*Mart parking lot and an older man in a car jokingly asked if he could take one of my boys home with him.  I told the boys that day in the car that if anyone ever asks them that again that they should say “no thank you” and quickly find me, a policeman or someone that they know.

So, I like that they don’t go up to just anyone and trust them.

Reasons that I Don’t Like This

However, when I’m there, I’d prefer that they be friendly– or at least acknowledge that a person asked them a question.  There’s no harm in conversation: it’s just when they try to get them in the car or to do something they shouldn’t.  I would like them to shake hands with seniors in the nursing home, or new people.

But I guess that if I had to have one or the other I’d rather have them be bashful and try to find and hide with Dad then to have them go with anyone that they see or don’t know.

Did you have this situation with your child?  What did you do about it?

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