I write about giving.
I scratch out stories of my family’s life as we try to break from our preoccupation with all things Sullivan.
And through praying and searching and serving and learning, I see our family of four changing, a little.
We met new people, people like Aidan and Angela and Jeff.
We go new places, places like a food bank, River Festival, and Adriane’s house.
We discuss new topics, topics involving far away places and clean water and a little girl, named Audrey.
But sometimes I wonder if our family’s tiny acts of service really change anything at all, and then I read this:
The primary reason Jesus calls us to servanthood is not just because other people need our service. It is because of what happens to us when we serve. –John Ortberg, The Life You’ve Always Wanted.
And that’s it. Our journey simplified. Others may not need our service, but we need to serve. I smile, and I read it again.
Can you think of a time this week when you gained something big from serving in a small way?
I scratch out stories of my family’s life as we try to break from our preoccupation with all things Sullivan.
And through praying and searching and serving and learning, I see our family of four changing, a little.
We met new people, people like Aidan and Angela and Jeff.
We go new places, places like a food bank, River Festival, and Adriane’s house.
We discuss new topics, topics involving far away places and clean water and a little girl, named Audrey.
But sometimes I wonder if our family’s tiny acts of service really change anything at all, and then I read this:
The primary reason Jesus calls us to servanthood is not just because other people need our service. It is because of what happens to us when we serve. –John Ortberg, The Life You’ve Always Wanted.
And that’s it. Our journey simplified. Others may not need our service, but we need to serve. I smile, and I read it again.
Can you think of a time this week when you gained something big from serving in a small way?
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14 comments:
Oh wow, I love that quote. It's so true, isn't it? It CAN get discouraging, to realize our impact in serving is so infinitessimally small. But yet, it has a trickle down effect. What you are teaching your children now will multiple as they serve as an example and teach others...and that cycle will continue to repeat again and again, until the impact is indeed much bigger than we could have ever imagined.
LOVE that quote. Gonna write that one down...I have felt the same way too. That when I serve, it's sometimes more for my benifit than anything else.
I gained big this week when a few of us made and delivered lunch to another lady in our church who was just diagnosed with breast cancer. She's struggling with fear and asked for us to pray for her. We asked if we could come to her house and bring lunch and pray for her. Only four of us. Simple sandwiches. Paper plates. Prayer lifted from godly women who have walked with Him for years. I felt rather small after being in the presence of such sweet godly women. It's hard to put into words exactly what I gained....but it has to do with what happens when the Body of Christ comes together for the purpose of bearing one another's burdens...even when you're sort of fumbling around while doing it. It feels weird to call and invite yourself over to someone's house but sometimes that's what we need to do.
Oh Amy..I agree! just me walking with a friend this week and not just being the only one who was talking but also being the one who listens and gives to her..so often it is just small things but you really never know what God does with all of those small gives...hope your weekend is going well:)
xo
oh this is true. the ironies of following christ are beautiful, no? i am bursting. simply bursting right now because i just got off the phone with the girl i mentor and she has made a tiny bit of progress. PROGRESS! months after i started listening to her. and understanding. JOY! PRAISE! great post, amy!
That's a great quote, A. It's easy to fall into that trap of thinking our service won't make a difference. I get overwhelmed by all the possible areas to serve in when that's not the point. I needed to hear this.
That quote really captures the essence of servanthood. More often than not, I feel like I receive blessings just as much as my intended recipient.
Melody,
I love what you said about a simple lunch and paper plates. Nothing fancy required. Yes.
Lori,
I get overwhelmed at all the places to serve as well. I used to think that I didn't want to be tied down to anything, and that alone kept me from serving. I'm trying to let some of that go.
Kendal,
I am so happy for your girl. I know what a big deal even small steps are! So glad you are a part of her life.
There is such great wisdom in this Amy. We really can never out-give the Lord. When we do those small acts of service we are blessed in ways that we can hardly take in. You are teaching your children lessons of eternal value.
Hi Amy, I'm just now getting over to your site to post a comment, because my BlackBerry wasn't allowing me to, so now I'm at a computer.
Anyway... sometimes we might feel, too, that our service goes unappreciated, or unnoticed, not that we want to be noticed, but others that are in the distance will notice our good works, and sometimes make comments that we may never hear, and this brings honor to the One whom we really are serving, Our God.
I've been thinking since I first opened this tab on the weekend. I gain whenever I give. Isn't that the paradox of Jesus? Dying, we live.
Oh, yeah, I can Amy, and it is sweet. Teachers go awhile without any thanks sometimes, but I've been plodding along, doing my teacher thing, helping kids with research papers. (Which many of them hate.) It's what I do, part of my job and my service. But I got the sweetest call from a mom today who thanked me for "being so good to her son."
This young man works so hard even though he struggles. It's kind of like what Cheryl said above -- we get back what we give out. What happens to me when I serve spills over on everyone around me.
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