I laid in bed unable to sleep. What can a stay-at-home-mom like myself do to make a difference? I wondered as I struggled to still my restless mind.
I snubbed every idea that came to mind because they seemed too small and insignificant compared to the colossal crisis we are up against. I began to entertain the narrative that tricks me into believing that unless my efforts reach and impact the masses, they are not as important or meaningful as those that do.
God gently corrected my wrong thinking: You can make a difference in your circle of influence. Do what you are able to do, no matter how small you perceive the assignment to be. I could almost sense Him tenderly smiling over me, nudging me to embrace the seemingly small ideas that were going through my mind, which can be summed up in two words: Service Projects.
As believers, we are called to be the light of the world, to love our neighbor, to be peacemakers, to reach out, and help the vulnerable and the oppressed. Participating in service projects is one of the ways we can fulfill that calling. I’m a big fan of getting children involved in serving the community, so since my kids were very young, I’ve searched for opportunities to serve in kid-friendly places.
It takes some research, planning, and sometimes trial and error before you find the right fit for your family. Some places don’t accept volunteers under a certain age, but there are multiple things you can plan on your own to get younger children involved.
Here are a few ideas of how you can impact your community:
WRITE ENCOURAGING NOTES
Write to whoever the Holy Spirit places in your heart. Sometimes I underestimate the power of a timely word delivered through encouraging notes, emails, social media, or text messages. If you have something encouraging and nice to say to someone, please share it with them! You can write to friends who are hurting, to doctors and nurses, to your local police officers, to your church pastors, etc. You can also write to the residents of retirement homes. Some of them don’t get visitors for months, so getting an encouraging note can help lift their spirits. This is a great opportunity to teach your children to build others up. Young children can make drawings and older children can write notes as well.
FOOD, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, OR BABY PRODUCTS DRIVE
Connect with your local church, food pantry, or pregnancy crisis center, and find out what are some of their needs. Share with your church, friends, and family the list of items you will be collecting, the goal you have in mind, and the name and mission of the organization you want to help. There are a lot of people that are willing to contribute but don’t have the time to find out where or how to do it. For some, all it takes is a friendly face on social media leading the way. A friend of mine recently collected 95 sets of peanut butter and jelly for a local ministry that will be feeding children this summer. She became aware of a need, reached out to friends and family, and the need was met. The same can be true for other food items, school supplies, and baby products.
LUNCH PACKING
Ask your local church or food pantry if they know of any places that are looking for volunteers to make and pack summer lunches for children in the community, or to feed the homeless. This is one activity my children and I really enjoy because it’s fast-paced and fun.
FOOD DELIVERY
From feeding the homeless, to meals on wheels, to distributing lunches for children, to delivering groceries to elderly people, there are multiple opportunities to get out there and personally serve someone in need.
GIVE
If you don’t have the opportunity to volunteer but are in a position to contribute financially, find a cause that is near and dear to your heart and present them with a financial gift. Look for nonprofit organizations that use their resources wisely to help your local community or other countries. Your financial gift can help them further the cause they are tirelessly working for.
FUNDRAISERS
There are a lot of ways to raise money to support a cause you care about. Baked goods, babysitting, yard work, and garage sales are just a few ideas. When my son was seven years old, we walked around the neighborhood collecting money to buy shoes for orphans. A neighbor we had never met wrote a check for one hundred dollars! We never expected such generosity, but we learned that when we step out to do the work God called us to do, He has a way of showing up and showing off.
PRAYER
And let’s not underestimate the power of prayer.
He makes provision for people in need through anyone willing to serve and /or give. Thank you, God, for reminding me that we can make a difference after all. Praying for you!
Your turn!
- Is God stirring you up to serve in your community?
- What are some opportunities available in your area?
- Chose one and get the whole family involved, or go with one kid at a time to create a bonding experience.
