Monday, July 19, 2010

Ten Ways You Can Love and Serve Others

I'm thankful that every dirty diaper I change can be an act of worship to Jesus. My days can be filled with "small things," but in those tasks I can kiss towards the God of the Universe.

At the same time, I'm very eager to use my job as mom, my home, and my hands to reach beyond my front door.

Many times we wait for others to find needs and figure out a solution--and then we wait for them to push and prod us to volunteer or donate. We wait for someone at church to organize a program.

But there are needs--big and small--all around us.

Why am I not seeking them out? Why am I not rallying the troops? Why am I not praying?

Today I have been thinking about some simple ways that I, in my role of a stay-at-home-mom, can reach out and love people (both inside the body of Christ and outside).

1) Moms spend a lot of time cooking. Many of us do this freezer cooking thing. Why not double a meal and take the second one to someone else? Someone who just had a baby, someone who has been sick, or the college student whose primary food group is "Ramen." Better yet, organize a whole group of people to take that new mom meals for a week or two...

2) Visit a nursing home--if you're a regular reader of my blog, you know that I tried this recently in our new town! If your kids are old enough, have them rehearse a song so they can sing it for the residents. Strike up conversation. Ask someone if you can pray with them.

3) Clean for someone. Almost everyone could use some help with housework! In particular, people with back problems, new babies, or lots of kids...

4) Invite people into your home. I firmly believe that our homes are meant to be sanctuaries of God's peace for our families and for others. Many times we don't invite people into our homes because we feel pressure to have them in pristine condition. In order to love others, you have to let that perfectionism go. Jen just wrote a sweet post on that topic.

5) Write a letter. To your sponsored child, to your grandmother, to a Christian in prison...

6) Volunteer to watch someone's kids.

7) Find a place to donate goods that you have acquired through stockpiling/couponing. Preferably a reputable, faith-based organization that serves your community.

8) Seek friendships outside of your comfort zone. Do all the people you hang out with look, smell, act, and think like you? If so, it's time to start changing things up!

9) Most towns have homes for battered/homeless women or pregnancy centers for women with unexpected pregnancies. These can be great places to volunteer time or donate unneeded clothes/baby items.

10) What are the needs surrounding you? You might be the only one who knows about a certain need. Don't wait for someone else to meet it.



As always, I'm linked up to my favorite Tuesday meme--Top Ten Tuesday! I am also linked to WFMW.
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14 comments:

  1. VERY WELL WRITTEN
    I really appreciate your thoughts it would be great to be able to do these
    Thanks !!!

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  2. Great tips. It's the same kind of things I've been thinking...how do we get our selves and our kids to focus on OTHERS and not on ourselves.

    Love this post!

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  3. Awesome post! Very thought provoking. A few years back (before having kids) my hubby and I went through a phase where we were always helping others (financially and with our time) and it felt great. However, we got burnt out and felt used after awhile by certain people. So we backed way off. I would like to get back to a happy medium there.

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  4. For an easy way to organize meals for new moms, check out TakeThemaMeal.com. It was extremely helpful when my friend adopted her baby.

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  5. Great post! have been led lately to help in unusual ways - out of my comfort zone. Blessings seem to be abundant in that space where I"m not quite sure I can handle it, but with grace am willing to give it a shot. *Blessings* Lib

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  6. Great list! Always looking for ways to serve. These are some good ideas.

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  7. Here from TTT. A wonderful list. I remember going to nursing homes with my church youth group and my brother often takes his kids. I have a lot of trouble with making friends outside my comfort zone, b/c I already feel like I have so little time for friends, but I think it is a great idea. I have also heard that being a mom is a great way to follow Christ's example since we do things for others they can't do for themselves. Helps me feel better about all those diaper changes and sweeping the kitchen floor 5 times a day.

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  8. Great Post... definitely something to think about.

    One thing I do whenever my friends/relatives have a baby is to bring them a meal, clean their house, and offer to watch their older children for an afternoon.

    It is SO much nicer than another baby gift and they really seem to appreciate the acts of service.

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  9. I love this. You are so right, and so often we make it complicated when it doesn't need to be.

    As my empty nest approaches (faster than I would like) I want to be used by God in creative ways that I never thought possible. LOVE your list. It has my brain turning.

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  10. Great post! Very motivating. I have actually found myself out of my comfort zone a few times this past week, but I felt the Lord challenging me with #8. I should use those moments as opportunities to reach out and be an encouragement.

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  11. "Blessings seem to be abundant in that space where I'm not quite sure I can handle it, but with grace am willing to give it a shot."

    I love this quote, "Em and Lib"! I have found it to be so true.

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  12. Alicia I love this post! I don't know you personally but I am proud to know you on line girlfriend!!

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  13. Beautiful make a difference ideas.

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