Yes, I'm a People Pleaser

My friends would say that I lack the ability to say a certain two letter word. My kids would probably disagree. ;) I love the fact that I can serve others and help where ever I'm needed. I get great joy in knowing I can make a difference in peoples lives. I do know that if I wear myself out I'm no good to anyone...and I've been known to many times to forget this. What can I say "I'm a work in progress"! ;) Being a faithful servant is the one of the most important things I want to pass on to my children. The best way to instill this value is by example. What is the purpose of being on this Earth if you are not going to spend your time loving others. God made us all for a reason. We need to live in His grace and remember that our experiences are there to share. My history isn't there for me to dwell on and be consumed by the vast sadness of what accomponies the traumas I suffered. Instead I wish to help others who are going through similar trials...to share my story whether it's child abuse, caring for a terminally ill loved one, infertility, special needs children, or even our new adoption journey, maybe my story of being married to a man who has an identity issue and thinks that he is a professional bmx biker would help someone. ;) I have found myself bribing my children...yes, I said it...please don't turn me into the Super Nanny...whether it be out of sheer exhaustion or rewarding them for good behavior I've probably done it all at one point in time. I've been contemplating this action and not just because I'm afraid my kids will be spoiled brats but because I would hate for my children to live off the hope of being "rewarded". I don't want them to serve in a soup kitchen or toy drive hoping their picture makes the front page of the paper. I want their reward to be the smile on someone's face, wiping tears of joy off someone's cheek, or just knowing that our Great Father would say "Well Done". I am thankful that my kids are learing this first hand through fostering. They have given so much to children in need...they have shared their Mommy and Daddy even taking the backseat at times so a hurting child can be cradled and comforted. I hear each of them talking about serving in orphanages or going on missions to tell others about Jesus. It is amazing at how realistic these dreams are to them...I teach my kids just as much about doing missionary work as I do about going to college...or maybe even more. I pray that my life legacy won't be of the lady that never said "no" but the lady who was willing to serve and be the face of Jesus. I pray that my life will be full of purpose and love. If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.~Philippians 2:1-4 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.~1 Peter 4:10-11 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. "Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.~Matthew 5:14-16