Although adding more to your plate seems like it might literally break you, service is the best and fastest way to put things into perspective and realize which tasks you have prioritized that might be able to take a back seat for a few days or weeks. Further, service lifts others and allows you to see when others are reaching out to you, as well.
Some points to remember about service:
1) All service counts. Service does not only count when we plan something extremely elaborate or it feels nearly impossible to put something together. Service counts when you make a conscience effort to look around you and fill a need - and even offering a sincere smile to someone counts as service.
2) Realize that you probably fill 80% of your day with service to your family, friends and neighbors and start counting what you are already doing. When I treat my task list of making dinner and folding laundry as service towards my family I am immediately more concerned with doing a nice job and my feelings and attitude changes.
3) Offer deliberate and specific help. It can be very difficult to know what will benefit and help others, but two things might help: first, think back to when you were in their shoes (new mom, poor college student) and do something you wish was done for you at that time or second, spend a little bit of time getting to know the person to know what help to offer. That second choice takes more time and effort and might be impossible in some stages of your life, but provides life-long friendships and builds relationships that will repay and strengthen you in your times of need. We come to love those we serve.
On paper, service seems so very backwards. But it is actually a huge part of helping us focus on what we have been blessed with and filling our lives with goodness. When you feel you are drowning in life and the things demanded of you, add one more thing and focus on others. It will actually be the thing that puts everything into perspective for you and ends up saving you.
Amen, Amen, Amen. Loved this post. Funny...same mind waves going - this is all I have been thinking about as of late. I love that you said, "puts things into perspective". When we serve it doesn't solve all of our problems but we instantly benefit from it. Most times we learn that we can always have it worse and you will always gain a better sense of love and concern for someone other than yourself. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting! It really does change how we see our lives.
DeleteWonderful post Amber! When you count the service you're already doing it puts things into better perspective. As moms, we serve every day. It helps to recognize it and realize that even little things we do can be big things to others. Thanks for all your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I never realized that women don't count all they do as "enough" until a few years ago. I hope to spread this way of thinking.
DeleteI read the title and thought "Oh that Amber, she's crazy. Probably gets it from her mom....haha" But you're right and so is your mom. Being a wife and mother IS service and while I know it's important to serve outside the home, it helps to be reminded that the things I do for my family count too. I'm going to go do some service called dishes now. Love you!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I love that you go right to the "oh, geez" first. That must mean you know me. :) Love you! Hope you're doing well.
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