Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Each One Reach One...

I'm sure you have heard this phrase before. Whether you have heard the song or you have just heard someone say it. It is so true. We all have the ability to make a difference to someone. Do you have a place where you volunteer or serve? I'd love to hear about it!

It always fascinates me when I'm talking to friends and I find out about a charity or an organization that I have never heard of before. There are so many areas of need and often times I hear of these fabulous organizations and I think, "Oh yeah! Why didn't I think of the fact that children need tennis shoes, or a friend, or someone to send letters to soldiers, or interviewing skills and professional clothing for women, or helping abused and abandoned animals, or cars for kids who otherwise wouldn't get a car...the list goes on and on and on. The world is definitely full of good and places to join in and do good. I hope we will take the opportunity to join in the charge we have been given to help, to serve, to love others.

I mentor a little girl once a week. This is the third year that I have been meeting with her....she is a big, bad third grader now! And she is such a joy. I look forward to my time with her each week because she adds a bit of that childlike faith to my life. She is so happy and so carefree. Her biggest decision is whether to read Junie B. Jones or Mercy Watson and if she wants to go down the slide or play on the swings. She reminds me to not take myself too seriously.

My mom serves at a food pantry called The Storehouse once a week and the stories that come out of there are just amazing. I think she is being fed just as much as the families coming in for food. Like the man standing in line to get ONE grocery bag full of food for his family (they can come ONCE a month) and he slipped a dollar in a collection jar for a local charity. MY goodness. I can't even imagine what that dollar must have meant to him because he was standing in line at a food pantry to get $20 worth of food to feed his family...yet he gave to others in need.

We are so blessed. I'm sitting at a computer reading this in my home with air conditioning and heating. I'm fully clothed and sitting on a full stomach. I have my family that loves me and I have a pretty rotten little Yorkie laying next to me pouting because he's wondering when I'm going to start playing with him. I am saved by the grace of God, I am loved unconditionally and I am blessed.

Where else can I serve? Where do you serve? I would love to hear your stories and hear about the organizations and the people you choose to serve. Maybe it will give some of us more ideas of what is out there! Are you involved in cancer organizations, service to children, animals, the elderly? Do tell! XOXO

~Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' ~Matthew 25:34-40

5 comments:

Allie said...

You go girl, great post! And funny because I JUST finished posting about one of my favorite charities. Check out my blog for details: www.schmal.blogspot.com

This year I've really struggled with the idea of SERVING others...sometimes I think to myself; that I'm just one person, how can I make a difference? But then I'm reminded of the huge difference that just 1 can make & it inspires me to do MORE!

Jax said...

Excellent post, lovely! I've blogged about it before but I'm currently working full time on our city's United W@y campaign.. It's a two month stint where I basically handle all the ins and outs of gathering over 5 mil personally for this year's 23 million dollar goal. :) Lemme tell you.. after this experience, I will forever help the United W*y organizations.. I took tours of agencies and have met many of those affected. I felt so sheltered that I've never heard of more than HALF of the agencies here in town. From here, I'd love to become part of the Big Bros and Sisters.. or even CASA. I agree with you that there are many places to serve...and we can all learn a lot about ourselves, our communities, and our fellow neighbors by giving our time and love. Good post. Good post indeed.

Suburban Princess said...

Great post!

I used to volunteer in the hospital - I did it for more than 20 years :O) I was the person who pushed the library cart around and I visited every single patient in the hospital every single day. It is amazing how many people wouldnt get a visitor otherwise!

Now that I have my son I cant get out as much but we adopt a soldier every 6 months and send them parcels, letters, emails etc :O)

The Little Miss said...

this is really great ! I think we all need to think about how we can help one another even if its little. The things Ive done lateley is buy homeless people lunch. If I see them Ill stop and bring them lunch. I think its something they really appreciate!
Im having a giveaway if you would like to take a look at littlemissheirlooms.blogspot.com :)
xoxo
Priscila

Meredith Sisoian said...

Great post, adn ironic because just last night Nick and I went to St Marys, Blake Mycoskie the founder of TOMS shoes was doign a lecture on his life's journey. Nick was able to go to a small dinner party with him before the lecture and said he was truly amazing! We were so moved by the events of the evening and being reminded how being philanthropic and following your career dreams do not have to be mutually exclusive. You can find ways to give no matter where you work or what you do. Very inspiring!