We are not protoplasm with personalities, driven by survival and guided by our glands. Young people today will, unless aimed differently by their parents, gravitate toward being self-absorbed people. But the more focused you are on your own feelings, wants, pain, and needs, the smaller you feel. Our kids gain no sense of worth by just taking up space or living for themselves. As parents, we have the privilege of introducing them to the excitement and dignity of living to make a difference for others.
Parents enlarge a child's world and worth when the family becomes others-oriented.
Our whole family scoured the house for toys and clothes we could give to burned-out families for Christmas. We went together to reach out to the homeless downtown. Karen has tried to make our home a welcoming haven for people who needed a place to stay or unload emotionally. That list of strong points children should build their lives on is not only for them-those strengths are their wiring to make a difference. We have two kinds of meals at our house.