Growing up I volunteered at a children's home with my mom and brother one Sunday a month. I planned activities and crafts to do with them and I absolutely loved it. When I graduated and left for college it broke my heart that I would not be able to keep doing that. These kids were in so much need to love and comfort, and one day a month I was able to give that to them. I also cooked meals for a co-worker of my moms when I was in high school. She was a single mom of four young boys who had been diagnosed with cancer. I cooked her meals once a week for an entire year because she was struggling and couldn't do everything on her own, and I had a little bit of money, time and love to give to her.
When I tell people things like that that I have done, they often say "Wow. You are so nice." And yes, I do try to be nice. But I don't feel like I am doing anything extraordinary. I simply have seen needs in my community that need to be met, and I have decided to meet them. To me is something that has become so instictual thanks to my mom. My mom taught me that "You always have something to give to others no matter what." She raised me being aware of what is happening around me and looking for ways to give back. Granted, she was a youth minister for 25 years, and so volunteering was part of her work. But growing up she would take my brother and I to the soup kitchen, homeless shelter, we would go rake leaves for elderly people and cook meals for people that has just lost a loved one. Now I don't even have to think twice about helping some else now. It is just something that I do. And I would love for that to become the norm with everyone becaue then the world would become a much happier place to live.
Here is a link to the podcast of my pastor's message from last week if you want to listen to it: http://www.capitalchurch.com/podcasts/10-Blessed-to-Be-a-Blessing.mp3