Before I became a mom, for that matter before I got married, I enjoyed going out into the community and serving. I spent years serving in my local children’s hospital, every Saturday morning, I would go in and rock the babies who parents couldn’t be there. It felt good to help, I didn’t mind having to give up the late night Fridayevents to help out.
And I also have many fond memories of going on mission trips across the country (I have to admit I haven’t taken an out of the country trip…) and serving others in need.
Then I got married, and had kids. And well my time suddenly was always full of daily responsibilities. I started to long for amazing ways to serve, wishing I had taken advantage of the time before I was a mom and a wife.
Luckily my eyes were opened recently – there are plenty of ways to serve in my local community. Ways to serve that my little boys can help me with. Ways they can even learn that serving needs to be on our to-do list even when our responsibilities seem to be more important.
So here is what we’ve started doing – looking for chances to serve.
Actively looking.
Granted my church does a great job of displaying such opportunities on a regular basis. I just have to make the effort to clear my calendar.
As a result, we’ve made dinners for local single moms who are working long hours. My boys love making cookies, and I love being able to give them away (save myself from the calories).
And since cooking seems to be something I can easily add into our lives, we make meals for families who have new babies – there is a great joy that comes from seeing a weary mama’s face light up when she receives a home-cooked meal with a yummy dessert and special treat for breakfast the next morning. The relief she feels in knowing she will be able to take a break from that one responsibility is worth any of the extra effort we put forth.
Now I know these sounds like minor things. Little nothings. Especially when we think about what other people go through… but still serving those that are close by to us seem the perfect way to show that God is at work everywhere. Not just in poverty stricken areas and third world countries. God is at work everywhere, always. And that is the truth I want my boys to learn as we do small acts of service.
So while we still put together shoe-boxes for Operation Christmas Child, and save up money to donate to Destiny Rescue, as a mom trying to raise men who serve the Father the little acts of service allow me to show how faithful God is at working out all things. We just have to look for it.
Sure there will be times when we read about moms and women who are serving as missionaries in communities that are in desperate need for food and water and we feel like we are not serving well. There might even be moments when we feel like we are doing nothing, not a single thing, to help others. You see I know this is true, because I have felt that way. But the truth is, I just have to let go of the worry of what I’m not doing, and look for something close to my home that shows where God is at work, and do what I can in that place. And I know, you can do the same.
6 comments
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Sarah
July 4, 2013 at 7:10 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Serving along with you ..
I’m splashin’ around for ideas to splatter some joy into our summer. I would love to hear your creative ideas to add a bit of zest to our scorchin’ summer. Join me in splashing.
http://justsarahdawn.blogspot.com/2013/07/splatter-it-up.html
Splashin’
Sarah
simplyhelpinghim
July 8, 2013 at 1:43 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ll swing by with what we did this past weekend 🙂 Blessings!
Kelsey Ferguson
July 2, 2013 at 8:14 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh wow did I need to read your beautiful words this morning. My heart has been burning to serve, but ‘go’ doesn’t seem like an option at the moment. Thank you for inspiring me to take my conviction to serve and apply it to my local community or church community. As a mom of a toddler, I feel like my options are limited, but you gave me some really great ideas of how I can help!
Thanks again! 🙂
simplyhelpinghim
July 2, 2013 at 3:13 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Amen! There is so much we can do right where we, I too am struggling with a “go” heart right now. Thank you for stoppin by! Blessings!
Pamela
July 2, 2013 at 7:01 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This really touched my heart. I’m all about encouraging (Sheltering) in our everyday lives. I don’t think God expects us all to “go.” There are so many around us that need the encouragement. My daughter often fixes extra so she can bless a working or busy mom. I love that you involve your children, too.
simplyhelpinghim
July 2, 2013 at 3:12 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh yes, there are many that we often “forget” here at home. Thank you for stoppin by! Blessings!