Lunch time. A time of the day where I learned the meaning of giving, thanksgiving, and gratefulness.
I am one of 6 children, so needless to say, our family is pretty big. This made one simple meal like lunch, a huge ordeal. We live in a neighborhood full of children, and for some reason they all seem to gravitate towards our home. I swear everyday I meet a new family, with a new set of kids, who want to play at The Whitlow Household. And they all come hungry.
I don’t come from an extremely wealthy family, and I’m not a daughter of the Queen of England. But my parents have always provided not only for our family, but people that aren’t in our family. My mom would feed 5 extra neighborhood kids plus her own children, even though it didn’t seem like we had the means to do so.
My parents embodied the three things of givingness, thanksgiving, and gratitude. It is who they are. They have been perfect examples of being the hands and feet of Jesus, for as long as I can remember. My father has taught us to live by the verse, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15. He has done nothing but show us kids, how to serve wholeheartedly.
The thing that blows my mind, is that they go above and beyond feeding these neighborhood children. They love them too. My sister’s friends will come to my mom with problems they face at home or in school. Mom and dad pour the love of Jesus into these children’s lives. I have never seen such a willingness to give from anyone in my entire life.
Proverbs 21:26 says “The righteous gives and does not hold back.”
My parents continue to listen and be examples of God‘s love. I have been so abundantly blessed I can’t begin to explain. My parents inspire me to do missions because they serve God everyday.
Thank you All knowing God. You are a good good father. It’s who you are, it’s who I am.
