I could easily tell you about 82 things I’ve done poorly as a mom this week. But that would just depress me. So instead I’ll tell you about one thing I recently did in obedience to God.
A couple of weeks ago the Lord challenged me to think of something other than myself, my kids, and my tan this summer. And by His grace I listened. (Though I really could use a tan.)
I contacted our church and asked if there was any community outreach that my kids and I could participate in this summer. And the pastor gave me two ideas.
So I decided that we would do both of them.
First, my kids and I will love on three ladies at a local nursing home. They are members of our church but aren’t able to get out. So my kids will draw them pictures. I will clean their eyeglasses. And we’ll pray for them. And I just know that they will bless us more than we will bless them.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
Second, we will help tend to a garden. But not just any garden. Our church planted this garden for refugee families. All the produce goes to families that have relocated to our city for various reasons — many with Muslim backgrounds. So we will put our hands in the dirt, believing God to bring a harvest. And in turn the love of Jesus will shine on people from miles away. Amazing.
(Oh and please pray that I don’t kill the garden.)
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
I’m convinced. Convicted. Determined. We will do more than just go to the pool during these hot summer days. Because life is short. And I want my kids to learn to give of themselves rather than just live for entertainment.
Here are a few other simple ideas to help us reach out this summer:
- Hand out water bottles at the park with a label on them that says, “Jesus quenches soul thirst.”
- Befriend an elderly person in your church and have tea parties together. Then pray for him or her as a family.
- Pick up sticks or other debris out of a neighbor’s yard.
We can shine His light in our dark world. Even if it does mean less time at the pool. Believe me. It’ll be worth it.
{Linking up with Michelle for a Thought-Provoking Thursday.}
Fill me, Lord…
What are some other things that we could do this summer to give back and shine Jesus in a dark world?
Beautiful way to fill your summer – we’ll be doing more of this during the school year, too….especially as the kids get older and more opportunities are available.
Good to see you, Rebecca. Hope you are doing well these days!
Hi! Visiting from the link up this morning. What wonderful idea to have your kiddos do service…those ladies from your church are going to be blessed by your kindness. You’ve got me thinking about what we can do for service this summer…even offering a baybsitting night/playdate for our friends’ w/newborns would be helpful…
Oh, great idea! “Offering babysitting night” Love it.
I have been thinking about this too, even though my kids are older. My daughter leaves for Jamaica to serve with a missions team in a few days and it will be hard for her. Lots of hard labor. But my son and I need to do something outside ourselves. Thanks for the push and hope you have some good stories to tell afterward.
What a blessing it must be to see your daughter go serve the Lord on a missions trip!
I love this! Such a great idea. 🙂 I may “steal” it.
Steal it, girl.
Awesome,Lara!! We are also looking for more ways to serve those around us. Beautifully inspiring, my friend!!
You are precious, sister. Hope your summer is off to a good start.
Those are awesome ideas (especially love the church garden!) I found you through a SEBTS friend Betsy Sibley. I’m not sure if we were at SEBTS at the same time, but love your heart and your blog!
Nice to “see” you here. I just love Betsy. We were roommates at SEBTS. Thanks for the encouraging words.
Make gift baskets….spring is perfect at the dollar store- garden gloves, seeds, pots, little shovels, a little fake flower, card, gum, and a hand written note telling about God’s love for them. Make several and anonymously drop them off on doorsteps with your kiddos. It’s fun to drop and run! You can do different baskets for different times of the year/holidays/seasons. We pray before that God will lead us to the right homes and prepare the hearts within for His message. We have been blessed to see fruit from these baskets. Love hearing of more ideas and opportunities to serve. It is something I want my kids growing up doing consistantly and with a servant’s heart.
I love that! Thanks for the idea!
Hey Lara! So happy to have you on the garden team. Praise the Lord for rain this week and hands to pull bermuda grass 🙂 Hope to finally meet you soon! In Him, Amanda
http://lovemygr8life.blogspot.com/
Love these ideas. I really like the idea of my children befriending and drawing pictures for the elderly. My husband is a disabled veteran and everytime we go to the VA hospital people love to interact with our children. Which gave me a great idea, I will pray about a way we can be a blessing to those eldery at the VA hospitals. Maybe before each appointment I can have the children make cards and pictures:)
Great ideas!