30 WAYS TO SERVE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BUSY
I remember sitting in church one Sunday, with a baby on my lap and a toddler trying to climb on my head (it was his climb-on-top-of-mom’s-head phase). Dutch was dealing with everyone else.
The speaker at the podium was telling the congregation about some upcoming service opportunities that were on a church-owned farm. And I thought, I want to go! I want to drive around on a tractor all day and think my own thoughts!
And then, a man sitting behind us started laughing. It was one of those Did-I-say-that-out-loud? moments. Yes, I did say that out loud!
Sometimes, we overlook the good that we are doing. We wish we could be serving in a bigger, grander way, maybe in a faraway country. And maybe this is why Jesus Christ gave us the parable of the mustard seed.
The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof (Matthew 13:31-32).
The parable itself is short, only 2 verses. Yet, it has so much meaning for us. We might be serving in our own seemingly small ways, yet we are doing great things. We are blessing other people’s lives and are having an impact as we serve.
So, let’s continue to serve each other, wherever we are, and however we can. And if we think we are too busy, or don’t have a way or means to serve, then we should talk to Heavenly Father about it. He’ll guide us to specific ways that we can serve.
One Sunday, I was sitting in a Bible Class, and the teacher was talking about serving others the way Jesus Christ served us. Well, I had just had twin girls. I had several other children as well, and my oldest was nine. We lived outside the city limits, on a bunch of acres of sage brush. Which was a great place for our kids to grow up! We had a sometimes-working van, which we would pile into and go to the park or to the library or on an adventure up the canyon. Every time we went somewhere, it was a major ordeal (all moms know this). Shoes, jackets, toys, books for those that wanted to read instead of run around, blankets-big and little, fully loaded diaper bag, snacks, change of clothes for certain kids-and it was a guess which kids were going to need that, etc. etc.
And I thought to myself, while listening to the teacher in this Bible Class, If Heavenly Father wants me to serve someone, well, they’re going to have to come knocking on my door. I don’t know how else I’m going to be able to serve anyone.
And the next day, someone knocked on my door! It was a young mother with 2 little girls. They had recently moved into a cabin in the mountains above us. She didn’t have a phone or neighbors, and they were just starting to get to know people in the area. So, I invited them in to play. And we became good friends and our kids played together that whole summer.
If you truly want to serve others, Heavenly Father will give you opportunities!
30 SMALL & SIMPLE WAYS TO SERVE OTHERS
Here are some simple ways to serve others, for those who are busy, hesitant, or just don’t know how to go about it.
- Share a favorite book with a friend or a coworker.
- Take someone who might need a friend to an activity or a party you are already attending.
- Write a letter to someone who might be lonely-maybe an older relative.
- Acknowledge someone else’s kind actions, even if it didn’t involve you. Say thank you, send a text, or write a thank you note.
- Compliment someone on the way they look or something they have accomplished.
- Smile at someone and say hello.
- Pray specifically for someone.
- Water plants for a neighbor who is going out of town.
- Remember someone’s birthday with a card or a text or a phone call.
- Give someone a ride home.
- Shovel a neighbor’s walk and put down ice melt.
- Eat lunch or take a work break with someone who needs a friend or a listening ear.
- Take lunch to a sick neighbor, friend, or coworker. It can be as simple as soup and a sandwich from the grocery store deli. Text them and tell them you are leaving it on their front porch.
- Take out the garbage can for an elderly person on your street. Then take it back in for them.
- Go through your closet and take clothes and coats and shoes that you no longer wear to the thrift store. Or give them to someone who would appreciate them.
- Go through your kitchen cupboards and take dishes and pots and pans that you never use to the thrift store. Or give them to a neighbor who could use them.
- Put your phone away and talk to someone. Ask questions and listen.
- Treat a coworker or a friend to a soda or a hot cocoa break.
- Invite someone to get a snack with you from a drive through restaurant dollar menu.
- Take a flower to a friend or a neighbor or a coworker who needs cheering up.
- Go to a neighbor’s or a family member’s concert or play.
- Take something to the local food bank.
- Leave for work and school and appointments early-it helps us to drive in a courteous way.
- At parties and gatherings, go in the kitchen and ask the host what you can do to help.
- Interact with children in a patient, fun, loving way.
- Be supportive of those in charge of activities you are involved in.
- Wait your turn in line with a smile on your face. Especially if you are in a food line. Be friendly to those in line with you.
- Smile when you are on the phone, especially if you are talking to customer service. It helps you remember that the person you are talking to is also worthy of love.
- Help with a work or a church or a neighborhood activity.
- Check in on a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. See how they are getting along.
This list is just a start. Add to it with your own ideas and things that work for your lifestyle.
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (Matthew 25:40).
Crafting wishes,
Marilee
Take a look at this post:
Words to Live By: words to follow that help us through trials
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