One of my favorite hymns is "Have I Done Any Good?" because it reminds me that each day is an opportunity to do something that can make a difference in the life of another person. Small acts of kindness can go a long way. A smile, a hug, a listening ear can all be a blessing for someone. The best part is that they do not cost a single penny!
When was the last time you woke up seeking a service opportunity? The number one thing that parents suffer from chronically is stress and depression. Guess what the number one treatment for these conditions is? You've guessed it....it is serving others. What are some ways we can serve our fellow man? There are countless service opportunities in our communities. There are countless opportunities to serve our family members. There are so many out there who are sick and home-bound. What about perfect strangers? How can we serve them? A smile or listening ear is a great start. What about just helping someone who needs at that moment? For example, you are standing in line at the grocery store and you see an elderly woman unloading her groceries onto the conveyor belt. You can help her. What about that gentleman who has ONE item to purchase and is standing behind you in line. You can let him ahead of you. Opening doors and holding them open is a great way to show courtesy and love. Traditionally, men hold doors for women, but I love to hold doors open for ANYONE who I see is coming up behind me. These small acts of kindness are considered service.
Do you know a parent who has a special needs child? Are they lonely? Are YOU lonely? Why not call that parent and check on him/her? When was the last time you got together? Maybe it is time to invite people over or meet up at a park or restaurant. During the summer there are many opportunities to do things with the kids. Call your local library and see what fun opportunities there are to serve. There are usually family-friendly summer events that libraries plan. These are great opportunities to meet other parents or meet up with friends.
I recently saw a video of a man who decided to do at least one act of kindness or service for another stranger every day. The thing that baffled me was how untrusting many people were. It was actually a CHALLENGE for him to find people who would allow him to do these acts of service. They assumed he was either looking for compensation or they just did not trust his intentions. It made me reflect on the way society is changing. I don't want my kids to live in a world where being nice is the exception. I know that there is so much good in this world. We live in a time where we can reach so many people. The truth is we are closer to one another than we realize. Let's make a difference in the world. Let's teach our children the importance of serving others and the value of small acts of kindness.
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Have I done any good? If not, I have failed indeed.
