March 20th, 2005
Help
For some time I’ve known helping people is important to me, but up until now I never realized how important.
Volunteering isn’t something I’ve done much in the past. I was always scared I wouldn’t have anything good to offer. And I was scared of the commitment. But mostly, I was just scared of the unknown. I had no idea what it’d be like.
A month or so ago Ryan, a guy in our small group, suggested we volunteer at the church doing something small and seemingly insignificant. We could do it in teams, so it wouldn’t be as scary etc.. so I tried it. And I liked it. I loved it actually – enough I did it 3 Sundays in a row. Then something else came up this past weekend and I took that opportunity as well.
In this month I learned a few things: Volunteering isn’t scary. I don’t have to be “good” to volunteer, only willing. I can make a difference in peoples lives. Volunteering doesn’t necessarily involve commitment – I can make a difference in only a few hours one single day. When I’m doing something significant, thanks doesn’t matter as much as seeing the results of my actions – I don’t crave credit and praise, I get more out of the knowledge I’ve improved someone’s life just a little bit.
Through all of this I’m realizing, as my uncle put it, “(I’m) not the only person here on earth.” And it’s not that I didn’t know that, but I don’t think I knew it deep down. I will be doing more volunteer work in the future. I know it’s a passion, something I truly love. I thank God for bringing things in perspective for me. I can feel God changing my heart.