Be a help

I don't know how many times I've instructed my kids to "be a help". You know, when we are somewhere and there is work to be done, I want them to seek out whomever is in charge and offer their help.  This is not always an agreeable task to any of my children.  Raymond is somewhat reserved so his hesitation is not in the work, but in the inquiry.  Zachary is so easily distracted, he doesn't usually get to the right place at the right time and Addison is usually more interested in the other kids that are surely there.  I've thought long and hard about how to facilitate this particular behaviour and have even occasionally thought they'd probably just figure it out, since they KNOW it is the right thing...right?  Apparently not.  Something happened recently that really made this particular thought resonate.  I was with several of our teen girls, just hanging out and playing games and when the time came to "clean up", all but one vanished.  It really made my blood boil and
I wasn't quite sure what to do about it. 

After I felt I had regained some measure of composure, I started by telling that sweet girl that stayed to vacuum and clean up how very much I appreciated her help.  I wanted her to know that it was not at all lost on me that she (as was her usual MO) was the only one working.  I even got a little choked up when I was talking to her, so gave her a hug and wished her a Merry Christmas and went back to what I was doing.  I was still pretty irritated by the other girls so I decided to call them on it...sought each one out and let them know that I "noticed" their disappearing act and was a little disappointed.  I got a variety of responses but none made me feel any better.  It got me thinking...how do these girls, young women by all accounts, simply choose not to help.  I know their parents and I know they live in good homes and are most probably being taught the same values that we teach our kids.  So what is going on?  How do I better instruct my own children so they won't let me down when I'm not there to push them in the right direction?  *sigh* A question for the ages, no doubt. 

So on the home front, I took my daughter to a senior saints activity the other night and wanted to encourage her to "be a help".  She did such a great job and really enjoyed asking the older folks what beverage she could get them.  She was sweet and very polite and she made her momma proud!  Best of all and what really filled my heart with joy was that she had fun doing it.  I know, it wasn't cleaning but it was helping.  I want my children to obtain joy through service so I guess the best thing I can to  is encourage them to serve and let them see how much it can be appreciated, how good it feels to help others.  That's it, that's the best I can do....teach our children the best I can, point them in the right direction and pray God will guide them the rest of the way.