Need me to help keep your kids? Gladly! Need help setting up for an event you are hosting? Sure! Need me to drive you to a doctors appointment? Of course! I often stay and clean up after friends' kids' birthday parties, because that is my thing. (Just be sure to affirm me afterwards or I will get my feelings hurt...ha!)
I say that to get to this. On Sunday at church, our pastor said that, as Christians, it is time to get off our butts (he said bottoms, because he is a pastor) and LOVE OTHERS. A previous pastor often said, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." I don't know if it's because of my love language, but this fired me up, ya'll. My faith is not about sitting on a nice, cushioned pew in a nice, cool sanctuary, drinking my coffee while listening to an ensemble and a sermon. That has it's place, believe me. Even as Christians, we need teaching and let's not suffer if we don't have to, am I right? But, personally, I don't feel called to pack up my family and move to Africa. I don't feel called to go all David Platt and sell everything I own for the gospel. What I do feel called to do is show others that I love them.
Write letters to elderly and/or shut-ins.
Send gift packages to military families.
That mom down the street who can't keep her daughters' heads lice-free, because she can't afford the treatment? Take her the Nix. And maybe even volunteer to take some bedding home and wash it for her, because treating five lice-ridden heads is enough to drive anyone insane.
The new family in the neighborhood? Take them cookies or muffins or even a full meal.
Ditto with the family with the new baby. Offer to keep older kids for a few hours.
Send a note of appreciation. Or encouragement.
Speak well of others, not because you have to but because you can. (This goes along with my Words of Affirmation language--nothing makes me happier than hearing nice words about myself.)
Cook dinner (or order pizza) and invite a family over.
Pay for the person's meal behind you in the drive through.
Drop a gift off on a doorstep. Muffins, cookies, chips and salsa. Leave a note, so they'll know it's safe to eat :)
Pray for someone, and then let them know. A simple text message saying "I prayed for you today!" can go a long way.
Contact your local school and see what supplies are needed. Donate these.
Purchase and deliver items off a needs list for a Children's Home. (Or nursing home, children's hospitals, etc.)
Leave a big tip with a nice note.
Deliver snacks to the local fire and/or police department.
Buy frivolous grocery items and deliver them to a family in need. (Fruit, pop-tarts, popcorn, cookies, snacks.)
Go to a lower income neighborhood and hand out books (children and adult). Books can be new or used.
Have more ideas? PLEASE share them in the comments. The girls and I are making this summer a Summer of Service!
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