Wow, I only got one blog in last week! Sorry about that - my schedule was a little different last week and for whatever reason, I did not do any writing. However, this is a new week and I should be able to get my four committed posts done! I hope everyone had a great weekend and is looking forward to a very productive week! Let's get right to it...
Yesterday at church (it's Monday, so of course this is a church blog), Pastor Pete spoke about our responsibility when it comes to service. As human beings, our job is to help others when we see a need. Many times, we get so caught up in our own lives and trying to look out for "number one" that we lose sight of what is going on around us. I am guilty of this and yesterday was a strong reminder to get back to volunteering, finding opportunities to serve, and paying it forward (subtle reminder that our Pay It Forward day is Saturday, September 17th!)
There are many reasons as to why we should serve others. Besides the fact that it is our responsibility, there are two that I want to mention. The first is the effect that your own heart has when you give of yourself to helping others. Every time you volunteer, help out a charity, give financially, or help someone going through a hard time - your heart gets bigger and it motivates you to want to do more. We all know the feeling of seeing someone's face when they are the recipient of an act of kindness, and it really is priceless. Serving is not about what we get out of it, but the truth is it makes an impact on us as well as them. The second reason is that we really have no idea the long term impact of one act of kindness. You can be a part of changing someone's life and they can go on to change other people's lives as well. Some of the "movers and shakers" of the world are that way because someone intervened in their own life. That someone took a moment to invest and it literally changed the trajectory of their life. It might not have happened if they let that opportunity pass them by.
I cannot stress the importance of serving and getting past our own needs to help others. Lack of opportunity is not an excuse. Not enough time is not an excuse. Lack of resources is not an excuse. You can google "your city's name and volunteer opportunities" and I promise that plenty of options will come up. Many of us are busy, but we make the time for those things that are important to us. Carve out a few hours on a Saturday and I promise that it will be time well spent. We might not all be able to give huge amounts of money, but most volunteer opportunities do not require any money. They just need our time and willingness. I am a part of an organziation called Hands On Nashville. I love this group because it allows you to find lots of different ways to volunteer and use your own talents and abilities to help out!
As Pastor Pete shared the various ways that our own church is serving across the world, I wanted to sign up for every one of them! He also shared some alarming statistics of those in need in our own city and it will make you angry that people in America suffer the way they do. It is not right and it is up to us to make a difference! Instead of talking about it, we must put action to our words! Find an opportunity to do something, anything to be of service! Allow your eyes to be opened to the reality of the needs of this world and do your part to make positive changes and share God's love with so many who need it.
One way to do it is through our Pay It Forward Day. It is Saturday, September 17th and it is all about thinking past ourselves and making an impact on someone else's life. You can participate in whatever city you live in. Simply think of one way that you can make a difference in a stranger's life - a random act of kindess. Then encourage them to pay it forward to someone else! I am really looking forward to that day and already thinking of what I can do! I hope you will join me as well!
Today I am grateful for: 1. A really fun and full weekend 2. Church on Sunday - so energizing 3. Good things happening in my family's life 4. The 3-layer chocolate cake I had last night 5. The motivation to be used more
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