February 27 - Keep on Doing Good

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9 

Persevere—don’t get tired or discouraged. This verse also reminds us that we reap what we sow, as illustrated negatively in Job 4:8 NKJV…Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same. Try to “plant” some good things, not trouble—so that you can reap or harvest good things like respect of friends and family, self-control, kindness, joy and self-respect. Those character traits will be evident to those around you…and will be taught to your children, without a lesson. Children learn what they live…and what those around them live. Remember how they are just little sponges, soaking up what they see and hear? 

Training Tip – Good Deed for Your Neighborhood. Find a spot along a safe road near your home. Determine if you need to get permission from some government agency before you start a family clean-up project. 

Provide gloves and a garbage bag for each of your family members. Go to your “clean up” spot and walk along picking up the litter and trash that has been discarded. When the kids get tired, encourage them to keep working. Remind them how good the roadway will look when you all are finished. Keep on working until they are ready to drop…and then encourage them not to give up. Don’t use a bribe of a treat to persuade them to continue picking up the trash. They need to learn the value of hard work for work itself. 

Afterwards look at how good the roadway looks and praise them for their good work. Praise God that He has given you all strength to do this helpful task for your community. After an essential hand washing effort, is a surprise trip to your favorite ice cream shop a worthy treat for their community service? When they’ve finished the clean-up project, tell them that they reap what they sow…a good treat in return for their good work. I’m sure the kiddos will be in favor of that!  

Lord – Sometimes we get tired. Tired of helping others. Tired of just doing good at home, school, and work. Give us perseverance to finish what we start and to continue to do what You would want us to do. Good work.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.