I don’t know. Aren’t kids supposed to stick to lemonade stands?
Just two honest salesmen, trying to make a living.
Although, come to think of it, I haven’t seen very many lemonade stands around these days. Have we filled up our children’s time so fully that they don’t have idle afternoons available for sitting by the curb and hoping for customers?
Is it more “productive” for children to be involved in sports, classes or structured social outings? I hear my own children beg for play dates and outings at the park on Saturday afternoons and wonder when they will learn about work if they are always so busy playing? Am I actually doing them a disservice by allowing entertainment to be the main focus of their free time?
Friday was a gorgeous day here in Washington. Tim took the day off to be with the children while I sold books at a used curriculum fair. Amidst their various activities, Daniel and David spent time (a LONG time) selling their tomato plants. They were hot and bored at times. They did NOT want to continue, but they persevered and succeeded in not only selling several plants but learning some important life-lessons.
David was Daniel’s faithful associate during the hot afternoon of tomato selling.
Potential Lessons of the Day
- An engaging, friendly attitude provides a good connection with customers and generally improves business.
- Being fired is a real and serious threat. It’s also a motivation to stick to the job and keep working.
- The extent to which you invest in a project has a direct correlation to the effort others are willing to assist you.
- Location matters – a quiet section of a street does not yield a high amount of traffic which means the customers are few.
Our sermon today was on the topic of work. The pastor is taking the congregation through a study of Proverbs. Daniel sat in church with us, as he does each week, and took notes. As I listened to the pastor speak and watched Daniel fill in the outline, I wondered if he processed the sermon in conjunction with his experience selling tomatoes. Did he remember any of those life-lessons? Did he understand that the Lord wants him to be a diligent, hard worker, not because He is a cruel master but because He loves Daniel?
Tim and Daniel created a Tomato Hand-Out full of instructions.
I want my children to view work from a godly perspective – to work with honesty and integrity, to value hard work and diligence, to avoid get rich schemes and workaholism, and above all to honor God with their work. I appreciate the opportunity to study the scriptures and then discuss the ideas with the kids.
In our Small Group this evening we talked about teaching our children Biblical principles so they have the moral reasons and understanding to govern their lives in a godly manner. A proper attitude toward work is a significant aspect of our parental training.
Now to model that same honesty, integrity and discipline in my own work.
How come no one ever told me parenting was such hard work? I was a really fun babysitter. I didn’t realize parenting was going to be layered with some much complexity and significance. The responsibility is tremendous.
Anybody want a tomato plant?
Kathy
