The Joy of Service

This year, in addition to what we do at church, our family decided to serve lunch at the local community shelter on Memorial and Labor Days. The folks there told us that they often have trouble serving meals on holidays, because people do not work on those days. (Contrary to myth, people staying in shelters are not lazy bums who lie around all day. They work, but are down on their luck.) Everyone wants to serve on Thanksgiving or Christmas, but people need to eat the other 363 days each year.

Our kids love going. We usually serve hot dogs, chips, brownies, bananas and a drink. It kills our son not to be able to eat any of the hot dogs. Yesterday, our kids got to mingle with some of the people. I sent our daughter out to refill cups, and our son to replenish the chip supply. The people smiled and thanked us profusely for bringing a meal.

We go to be a blessing to those less fortunate, but I often fell that I leave more blessed. The people, for the most part, are very grateful, offering endless thanks for the food.

I challenge everyone to make this type of thing a family activity. It brings you closer as a family. Your kids will realize how truly blessed they are. You will be the hands and feet of Jesus serving humanity in a tangible way. You will be blessed. It doesn't cost that much.