Serving Hangups

We had our women’s shepherd training last week and we talked some about service and outreach. The Women’s Ministry at our church takes one week during the spring semester and sets it aside as our ‘Go Week’ and all of the small groups choose something to do or collect for different organizations in order to reach out to others.


During our training, all of the shepherds were discussing the different reactions from their groups last spring regarding this experience. One shepherd shared with us that her group had a really hard time with it…as in they really did not want to participate. Now, just in case you were about to all get high and mighty and judgmental you need to know that these groups are primarily moms of young children…a lot of them with newborns even. Their argument was that they felt they barely had enough time and energy to serve their own family let alone others. I get that! I have been there! I have moments/days/weeks that I feel that way. This amazing shepherd who shared this told us that in response to their grumblings she sent out an email to the girls in her group with a link (I think it was a link or maybe a list??) with lots of little ways that we can still ‘serve’ others as easy as picking up a piece of garbage at the park that missed the trash can. It is that easy! Just doing those little things can and WILL change our whole frame of mind, because instead of being self-focused you will slowly become others-focused and isn’t that what it’s all about?!?! It doesn’t matter that you are not over in Africa this week administering vaccinations to HIV+ grandmothers. While that is absolutely wonderful, you CAN make a difference right where you are! Not only to others but for yourself and for your children and friends and ENTIRE sphere of influence. WHY WOULDN’T WE WANT TO DO THAT?


I have thought a lot about that group and about where I was personally with regards to serving others when my now 9 year old was a newborn. I remember being right about where this group sounded to be.


Some of our discussion that day was also about how easy it is to get hung up on wanting to serve ‘BIG.’ Like that is the only way to make a difference. That was one of my own biggest hang-ups when I started putting this plan into motion. How silly...a peanut butter and jelly sandwich lunch. What’s that going to do, right? I’ve even had a ‘friend’ essentially tell me how ridiculous it is. The thing of it is, it IS making a difference. And it is WAY more than just a PB&J!