Lessons from Little Hearts — What Kids Teach Us About Serving

Hey friend, I have to share this with you: recently my kids became my teachers in the most adorable way. We were talking about serving others, and I asked them to write a few thoughts about what it means to have a servant’s heart. I expected cute or simple answers, but what they wrote made me laugh and really think. Their words were surprising (and a little hilarious!), but also so pure and true. Check out these nuggets of kid wisdom:

“Even if no one notices, don’t matter.” – Yes, that’s a direct quote from my child’s essay (unpolished grammar and all!). In kid-speak, it means you should do the right thing even when nobody is watching. No applause, no gold stars needed. Wow, talk about convicting my grown-up heart! My son instinctively knows what I often forget: real service isn’t about getting credit. Jesus calls us to serve humbly, without seeking attention (see Matthew 6:3–4), and my kid captured that in one blunt little sentence.
“Don’t care if it’s boring or dumb, just do it.” – Leave it to children to state plainly what we adults tiptoe around. Serving others isn’t always exciting; sometimes it’s dull or hard. My daughter was essentially saying, if a job needs doing, do it — even if it’s not fun. How many times have I secretly sighed at doing boring tasks? But this childlike attitude reminds me of Philippians 2:14: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Ouch (in a good way!). A genuine servant’s heart doesn’t wait for a glamorous job; it’s willing to tackle even the “boring” needs with love.
“Don’t just help ’cause you have to; help ’cause you want to.” – This came from another one of my kids, and it might be my favorite. Choose to help out of love, not just out of duty. In other words, our motive matters. They’re echoing a biblical truth here: “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). It’s as if my kiddos intuitively get that checking a box isn’t the goal—our heart posture is. Their simple insight challenges me: Am I serving others willingly or just out of obligation?

Isn’t it amazing? In their unvarnished, childlike way, my kids nailed what a genuine servant’s heart is all about: humility, willingness, and love. “Even if no one notices… just do it… do it because you want to.” I sat there reading their words, thinking how Jesus often pointed to children as examples for us. He once told His disciples that anyone who wants to be greatest in God’s kingdom must become humble like a little child (Matthew 18:3–4). I’m starting to see why. Children don’t overcomplicate things. They’re not chasing praise (at least when they’re young); they just speak from the heart.

After that little “assignment,” I reflected on how I serve. I’ll be honest: sometimes I do the right thing but inwardly hope someone notices or appreciates it. Or I’ll agree to help but then complain that the task is tedious. (Can you relate?) My kids’ words gently reminded me of the pure joy in serving for its own sake, the way Jesus taught us. “Even if no one notices, don’t matter.” In fact, Jesus said our Father sees what is done in secret and will reward it (Matthew 6:4). So truly, it doesn’t matter if people notice or not—God notices, and that’s enough.

I also thought about how young children often love to help simply to be helpful. Little ones might eagerly set the table or feed the pet, turning it into a fun mission. They’re not looking for a trophy; they just delight in doing good (and maybe getting praise from mom!). As we get older, we become more self-conscious or incentive-driven. But that childlike spirit of serving freely is something Jesus encourages us to rediscover.

So how can we learn from these “little hearts”? Here are a couple of ideas for us grown-ups, inspired by kid wisdom:

Do a good deed in secret. This week, try doing something kind without telling a soul. Maybe leave an encouraging note for someone, or tidy up a mess you didn’t make. Let it be just between you and God. Experience the quiet joy that comes from serving with zero fanfare, like a child who doesn’t even think about accolades.
Tackle a “boring” task with love. Is there a chore or duty you normally dread? (Cleaning the bathroom, anyone?) Decide to do it as an offering to God. Play some worship music, thank God for the people you’re serving through that task, and do it wholeheartedly. You might find it’s not as “dumb” as you thought when done for Jesus.
Check your heart before saying “yes.” Next time you volunteer or agree to help, pause and ask: Am I doing this out of love? If not, take a moment and pray for a willing spirit. Our prayers can shift an attitude of “I have to do this” into “I get to do this for God.”*

I’m so grateful my kids keep me grounded and teachable. Their simple perspectives cut through my grown-up noise and echo the heart of Jesus’ teaching. Lord, give me a servant’s heart like a child’s — one that serves freely, joyfully, and for You alone.

Let’s embrace the wisdom of little ones: serve without needing to be seen, do the humble things without grumbling, and let love, not obligation, fuel us. In God’s eyes, that is greatness. 💕