Giving Service

Today I would like to talk about giving service.

My intention with this post is not to shame but to inspire. It is my wish that my children and grandchildren will see just how important giving service is. It is my wish that they can carry this message forward to their families.

What dose giving service mean? In my opinion it simply means giving your time, talents and energy to others. Notice I did not mention money. Money will help most people yes. But by giving your time and energy that is the key. Some of us do not have spare money that we could give. In my 47 years of living I have noticed that most people have a hard time accepting money. They feel shy, guilty, they feel they would have to pay back. But if you give them service then they relax a little.

Who do we give service too? How about to our families? How about to our neighbors? How about to our friends? and finally how about to strangers? As you can see we could and should give service to everyone. If you look around, you will see someone who needs your help. In my opinion, there is no reason or no one to not give service to. Why not help put a smile on someones face. Feel the glow deep in your soul by giving. There is no greater reward then to see the smile on the face of those you serve.

What kind of service can we give? Find something that you can do for whoever you want to give service too. We are given so many gifts of talent. You can do something simple like bake cookies and give them to your neighbor or friend. You can do something more complex like fix an appliance or car. If you are young, you can do something simple like clean your room without being told. Or you can take out the trash without being asked. What about babysit for a couple so they can have a date. What about sitting down with that teen and ask how is your day going? Lend your ear and listen. They might teach you something. What about read to someone who cannot see very well or cannot read. You might even volunteer at the food shelter. You can mow someones grass for free, or rake the leaves. These are just a few ideas. There is so much more you can do.

Some families have one night a week were they have a family night. We in the Mormon faith call it Family Home Evening. What a great way to spend time as a family then to choose a service project and do it as a family. This will help build stronger family bonds and also show your children the importance of giving back. I know a few families who go together to the food shelter and work. I know some more that go to a neighbor and mow, rake, trim the trees, weed etc.

Sometimes giving comes without planning it. You can be walking down the street and see someone in need. What about the lady with all those kids trying desperately to put the groceries in the car and get her children in the car and in car seats. Why not offer to help put the groceries in the car while she put the children in their car seats and buckled up.

I know a gentleman who saw how some kids have to do without on Christmas. He was on social security and really had no money to give. He thought about it and came up with the idea of making toys. With what he could put together he made a few toys to give. Pretty soon his family got involved and he was able to make more. Than some friends joined in. It exploded, now he gets help and donations from his community.

I know several young men who get a group together to clean the cemeteries as an Eagle Scout project.

We had a family in our church that was struggling because of the economy. So our church set out to help. We all donated our stuff and held a huge yard sale. Through our efforts we were able to raise over $1200.00. Now I just showed you something with money. But please focus on how we pulled together and did a yard sale. Some of the men moved the heavy stuff around, the women organized it all. Others priced the merchandise. And others provided the service of being there to assist the buyers. The thing is we saw a need. We focused on what we could do and planned it out and did it.

Now, the important part. Giving service dose not come with a guarantee that the person or persons you will help will stop and say thanks. You might feel offended. But don't. Just know in your heart that you did a good thing. Know in your heart that the reward is just doing and there is no greater call then that of giving to others.

My intention of this post was not to be preachy. I did want to inspire you to reach out. To inspire you to think outside the box.