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Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Find Ways to Serve

In writing about my five quarantine goals, I've covered keep a routine,  celebrate my children, and take a walk.

I'm a little embarrassed to share the fourth goal, since I fear it sounds like bragging. I don't want anyone to feel bad when reading this. Many of you are overwhelmed by the extra load of homeschooling. Please don't compare. You may be serving your family at top capacity right now.

When this quarantine began, I knew how self-centered I could become. When life turns topsy-turvy, I want to huddle around my children and shut out the world. It is easy for me to think only of myself, so I set the goal to find ways to serve.

I knew the elderly people, without church or visitors, would be lonely. Thankfully the mail service still works, so my first goal was to send a card every day.

I haven't made that daily goal, but I have sent far more cards this past month than usual. I don't know if the cards have been a blessing to anyone else, but I know it has been good for me to get my mind off of myself.

Others around me have also been looking for ways to serve.

My brother called various local organizations to see what their needs are. He found that many don't have their usual volunteers over this pandemic, but their needs are increasing.


One such  place was our local homeless shelter. So one afternoon we made and delivered a meal. When I think that just a few miles from my house there could be hungry families, I feel embarrassed at my full freezers. And I love making large quantities of food.


Another opportunity came through a lady at our church. Our local hospital had received a shipment of N95 masks from the federal stockpile, but the straps needed replaced.  My daughter and I both spent a day sewing with many other ladies to fill this need. 

I've been blessed to see how others are serving.

One of my friends came to our house very early in the morning when we were all still sleeping and placed a box of treats for the whole family on the porch.



My brother and my sons got up early on a Saturday and baked cinnamon rolls which they delivered to some neighbors. Another Saturday they helped a neighbor replace an exterior door.

Another brother, who lives in a low-income neighborhood, is planning to host a community take-out meal. One of the goals of the meal is to evaluate the needs in his neighborhood.

One of my friends is texting an encouraging verse or quote along with a lovely photo every day. 

There are so many ways that we can reach out to others. It doesn't have to be anything big or elaborate. 

Last week I visited Walmart for the first time in weeks. It was also the first time I was in a store since masks were required. I hate how masks hide emotions and give everyone an air of distance and unfriendliness. Typically when I shop, I keep my eyes on my shopping list and move quickly through the store. But with masks, everyone looked so sad, and I determined to try to make a difference. I purposely made eye contact with fellow shoppers. I nodded, said "hi," and smiled broad enough to squint my eyes. It felt a little silly, but my unseen smiles were returned and some shoppers stopped to say a few words. I think all of us are starved for some human contact.

Thann Bennett wrote, "Loneliness stems not from a place of being physically alone but from the lack of being truly known." I can't end the loneliness many are experiencing right now, but maybe I can do a little to show someone that they are noticed. 

I'd love to hear the ways you are finding to reach out to others. Or the ways others have encouraged you.

11 comments:

  1. I love this post. What wonderful ways to reach outside of ourselves and serve others. I have some health issues so the main thing I've been trying to do is send cards every day. Thank you for sharing the love of God with us all and with those you're meeting
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  2. Thank you for this Gina. I loved all your ideas about how to serve during COVID. I want to reevaluate my own goals... maybe instead of just taking the attitude that everything is on hold for now, I can take the attitude of looking for creative ways to serve. Especially loved the smile that crinkles your eyes idea. I too hate the distance COVID brings.

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  3. I have been trying to sew masks for people. At first I was very unsure about doing it because I still struggle to sew at times. But when I saw that family and friends ..neighbors and aquantinces needed them I felt convicted to at least try. My masks are nothing fancy and at times I feel inadequate to the others who sew masks then I am reminded that God does not require perfection out of me. All he wants is for me to use the talents and the skills he's given me .

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  4. You, your family and community are an inspiration to us. Any act of caring or charity is so important at this time. Travel is very limited where we are(UK) so I've been making good use of the phone, just a quick call can brighten a person's day. My daughter is an assistant psychologist and hates the masks, it's hard to engage with a patient when all they can see are your eyes. This virus is nasty, we know health care workers who are ill and friends who have lost loved ones, like yourself we must help where we can, stay safe and not forget to pray. Blessing to you and your family xx

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  5. You have given me some great ideas to help others. I am working from home, but can find some time to help. Blessings to you and your family.

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  6. Thank you, Gina, for the encouragement to set goals for this unique period in time. I, too, made a number of masks, for family near and far, for neighbors, and for MDS. Also, I meant to call someone every day, but haven't done very well at that. Your post was a gentle reminder to JUST DO IT! I also wanted to comment on your brother coming in to help you. My mother was widowed at the age of 26 with two young children, and her brother moved in with us for several years until he got married. What a precious gift of love that was for us. He remained a father-figure and a godly influence for me for the rest of his life.

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  7. I have been making masks for friends, family and a local nursing home. I make a couple of dozen and then find somewhere that they are needed. I'm sure that all of your good deeds are very much appreciated.

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  8. Thank you for sharing. Especially that quote about loneliness; that makes a lot of sense!

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  9. What great ideas! I have struggled to figure out if there is any way that I can help and still manage my own full plate. One way that I figured out I could help is to call my aunt more often. I normally call a few times a year. She is alone and her husband is in long term care and she has 0 contact with him right now- of course no visiting but he also can't use any other way of contacting her. So she's struggling and lonely. I've also tried to reach out to friends and neighbours to just send a quick message or email asking how they are. My husband wrote a letter to a friend and also sent a book to encourage him.

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  10. Thanks for sharing these Gina! For me being'stuck' with my whole family is a sweet blessing even though I'm sad that I can't go home. I've been taking the girls to Blessings of hope, to help pack food boxes, it gets us out of the house, allows us to help and then we can get some cheap groceries after. It's been so helpful in all those ways. We also helped to pack lunches for medical workers, which we really enjoyed. I too have enjoyed sending letters, mailing things is so convenient in America;) Blessings on your journey!

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  11. I would guess the postal service has seen an increase in regular letters lately, and that's a lovely thing in our age of texting and emails. What a blessing to have your brother close by; a good and helpful diversion at a time when it's easy to withdraw. I have 6 younger brothers, and it's a joy to remember the younger years while appreciating the current "grown-up" relationships we now share. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading about your CV19 goals, and as always, am blessed by your words. May you be encouraged as you keep on serving Him!

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