Isn’t that a great visual?
Here, I know you're hungry. I’m going to toss you some Great Value French cut green beans, and a short, little reading on Jesus.
Just stay where you are.
Here it comes.
Ready?
One, two, three-
Stay put buddy, and I will also get you stewed tomatoes asap.
I don’t want to be all heady and philosophical (HA! Hello, because I’m not!) about GIVING, and I know I don’t want to be a tosser of canned goods. So tomorrow my family and I are volunteering at a community event. Please hold all applause because here’s a little secret. I don’t want to go to this shindig. Nope, I do not want to go at all. I mean we are talking zero desire to assist.
However, I do want to get a better idea of what is happening in my community, and I do want to participate in volunteer service outside of my church, and I do want to spend time with my family. So I will go, but tossing a couple nonperishable items at someone sounds pretty tempting right now.
15 comments:
Oftentimes, it's difficult to find the motivation to volunteer. However, every single time I do, I am rewarded and very happy I went! Hope you have fun!
It's amazing what I get out of volunteering. It's a high without the liquor. Hope this situation is good. thanks for folowing my blog and your comment re nature. have a good day. Rose
I remember in college not wanting to take part in a homeless ministry...until they needed someone to translate for a deaf man (I happened to know sign--just enough to get by). I was blessed incredibly by the experience...they ministered to me probably more than I did to them.
I'm not against can goods...especially for pantries where people can actually go out and pick things they need. I remember putting together boxes one year from our church and thinking "I wonder if the people we are sending this too even like this type of food?." I think a great Christmas or Thanksgiving idea would be to ask the people these canned goods are going for ingredients for the food they like to make for Christmas and Thanksgiving and try to provide that specifically.
Mrs. 4's and Rose,
I'm going. I'm going, but my attitude isn't as postive as I'd like it to be!
Gayle,
I agree with your comment about wondering if people even like the food you are sending. Often what is given is something someone doesn't want anyway, and if the giver doesn't want lima beans, my guess is the receiver isn't too interested in them either!
I hope it is going better than you expect today! I know that feeling of wanting to hurl cans and run well...but really getting involved and spending time with those in needs and really learning about their needs is a blessing.
I love your raw honesty!!!
Found you on Saturday Sampling. I'm your newest follower on your super awesome blog! I turbo love this post. I needed this.
KyAnn
http://checketts-myers-clan.blogspot.com
Thanks for being willing to verbalize what so many people already feel or have felt at one time (myself included). I mean, what is the best way to be a gracious giver? I'm not sure I know the answer, but I like that I am learning along with you about the whole wonderful process.
You are wonderful!!!!
I can so relate to this...
One of the most unforgettable messages I heard on the story of the Good Samaritan included an illustration of a man falling into a pit...different types of people gave him advice from the ledge of the pit...offered to pray...but not until a brother jumped into the pit with him to lift him out, did the man escape...when asked why he jumped in, the brother replied..."I have been here before"...
I take Oreos and Fruit Loops to our local food pantry. Why do they have to have lima beans and stale Saltines and expired peaches?
More so, I want to give these folks true, face-to-face friendship and love. My farmer-husband and I have been working on that one lately. Thanks for the extra nudge in that direction.
I don't know if someone else said this already, but it's even worse that I pick out the "bad" foods to donate... you know, the ones that I know will never get eaten. Like canned yams. When I realized I did that I quickly corrected myself.
I hear you, girl.
Just about every single time we work with GAIHN, this program we participate in with homeless families, I do not want to go. I really don't. But then I get my rear end off the couch and go, and it's ALWAYS good. I'm always amazed at how fun it is. Why am I like this? Human nature? Just me being crochety? I believe in the program, but sometimes the inertia is just hard to overcome.
Wow! I really like that visual too. How did it go serving in your community?
Karyn,
It went so well! So easy and so much fun! Overall, a fun experience that got us out of our comfort zone.
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