I Challenge You to Serve: Weekly inspriation on service

This week is all about service. The past week started out with me having jury duty. I, of course, was not looking forward to it (except for it did fall on a day I had to work, so I wasn’t too sad about missing work). Once I arrived at the courthouse, they talked logistics and judiciary process for about an hour. Then they started calling out names for the jury panels. They called eight panels, and about 30 people did not get called. I was one of those 30, so they excused us.  By that point I was actually starting to look forward to it. It would be something different, a break in the ordinary, and a good experience. In  essence, it was serving our country. I thought of all the soldiers serving our country now and in the past, and I thought serving on jury duty could be the least I could do. Hence, I decided for this week’s theme to focus on articles and inspiration about service.  I thought of all the times that I focus on myself and my family, and how little I focus on others. This, of course, is in direct contrast to what God teaches us. Of course, I don’t intentionally not serve others, I am just very busy and wrapped up in a life filled with toddlerhood, work, marriage, and pregnancy. I also thought about how much I want my child to lead a life of Christian service and humility. I can only teach that through my actions. Now, before children, I used to volunteer at random places quite frequently: at a volunteer clinic, a literary clinic, habitat for humanity, church activities.  I have since fallen off the rocker, if you will.  The following is some inspiration to start a life of service, for me and hopefully for you. All that to say: I do believe you have to take time for yourself, and by that I just mean, some kind of activity, even if for ten minutes to help you relax and rejuvenate, so that you may serve others with a humble heart.

1. I recently read an article titled “Four Totally Unselfish Things You Should Do Today”. Unfortunately, I forgot to save the link, so I do not have the link for you to read through the whole article. (I promise I will do better next time! I am learning!) My favorite quote from the article stated, “And that’s a shame, because every job-and every person—deserves to be treated with respect. Every job is important. Every employee is important.”

This especially rings true for me in my line of expertise. I work in an environment where you have people making six figures to those barely making ends meet, living  paycheck to paycheck, and all income levels in between. Somehow, we all have to work together. From doctor and manager, to nurse, to cleaning attendant, and to the maintenance crew. If one person fails at their job, then it could cause immense harm. Somebody else, if not multiple people will have to work ten times as hard. We have triple checks and double checks and triple checks on all of the previous checks. The ultimate goal is to ensure optimal safety and quality care to those in the most vulnerable position of having surgery. These people cannot speak for themselves; we are their voice. If one part of the system fails, then potentially someone’s mother, child, husband, sister, or loved one may be harmed.  Every person has to serve and work in some capacity to make the system work.  I wish we could all realize that and recognize the efforts of all parties involved and serve those people. Let every person know that they are important.

2. I am currently in the process of completing the “Make Over Your Morning” course, from moneysavingmom.com.  On Day four of the course, it asks the following question: Ask you spouse what he considers the top two to three tasks are to consider a day successful. Ironically, it stated that you might be surprised by the answer he provides. So I asked my husband, and I was surprised. I, of course, was thinking he would say something on the lines of housekeeping tasks. His top three: Spend time with God, Spend time with Family, and to go along with our theme, do something nice for somebody else every day. What an awesome thought, to do one thing nice for somebody everyday, one thing.  It doesn’t have to take up most of your day or be planned or it can be planned. Perhaps you can make cookies for your neighbor, mow their side of the yard. Perhaps you can let someone in front of you at the grocery store line? Perhaps you can pay for someone’s coffee or meal just out of the blue? Even something as simple as a compliment or letting someone know they are important. It could be for your family, co-worker, neighbor, church member, or complete stranger.  I challenge you this week to take five minutes every day to do something kind for somebody.  I would love to hear any other ideas you have. My kindness for today day: baking cookies that my husband would like. (It was his idea, after all.)

1 Corinthinians 12: 4-6 “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in diferent ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.”

3. What better example of service is there then to look to the Bible.  One of my favorite stories of service is the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

“A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him “Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.” Luke 10: 30-35 

Jesus tells us to go and do the same (verse 37). Don’t be the person who leaves the person for dead or looks the other way.  Be the person who picks up the trash, buys a homeless man a meal, helps the elderly carry their load. I am challenging myself as well. It is so easy to get wrapped up in our own lives and forget to look around.  Look around, and be the one who practices compassion. Follow along with me as we complete our challenge together.

I will leave you with words to a favorite hymnal. Check out the following version on you tube. Beautiful! ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rznoe3zKxM)

“Make me a servant, humble and meek

Lord let me lift up , those who are weak.

May the prayer of my heart always be

Make me a servant, Make me a servant,

Make me a servant, today”