May 25

I haven't used the big garden boxes in the backyard in a few years which means they're filled with unwanted vegetation. Since I can only be outside in short stints (courtesy of my allergies), I asked the kiddos to help with the process of clearing them out (and offered monetary compensation, since I consider it to be outside the scope of "normal household maintenance activities").

They were all keen on the idea; Abby worked a few hours yesterday and Isaac dug by the light of his phone last night. (And I know that sounds odd; it was odd to Adam and me when he headed out back after dark with a shovel slung over his shoulder, but we rolled with it.)

And then today after church, Isaac returned to work. There are scores of roots that course through the dirt so it's not an easy task, but he did it with a smile (and turned down the offer of payment). 

They could easily have turned down my request, but they didn't, and I'm grateful for that. And I'm grateful that I got to see this kiddo serve with a smile, too, because as 2 Corinthians reminds us, God loves cheerful givers.