Reaching Out:)

In today's world, it is so easy to get focused on one's self and forget all about the people around you. The people who may be hurting, and a simple phone call would put a smile back on their face. A family that is struggling, and a simple prayer sent up that may ease the tension. A widow who just needs a little help keeping her garden in shape, and a simple hour would have it weed free. As Christians, is it not our duty to serve? To reach out to the hurting? To be hospitable to those who have no place to go? To shine our light so that others may see Christ in us?

I know it is so easy to get busy and think, "I just don't have any free time." But really, is it a lack of free time that causes this apathy, or the lack of time management? How many times do we sit at our computers looking at what someone else is eating for dinner, or searching the newest DIY projects on pinterest? How often do we get caught up in a fiction book and are not able to put it down when someone needs us? I once saw something on pinterest (I know, I just admitted that I'm guilty of pinning away) that talked about things to do BEFORE you got on the internet. It was a simple little list. I cannot recall all that was on it, but I'm sure we could all come up with a list of our own.:) It might go something like this:

1) Call a friend
2) Bake cookies for an elder in the church
3) Send a card to someone who has been going through a tough time
4) Invite someone who doesn't get much fellowship over for brunch
5) Make a prayer list and pray for each person

Now, those are just ideas of things we can do to reach out to others in our churches or communities. I could continue the list with things that would help us, spiritually and physically. But that's another subject for another post.:)

I know having someone over for brunch may not fit into everyone's schedule all of the time, but it doesn't take too much time to pick up a card at our local Hallmark and send it out, or even to bake a double batch of cookies. And I KNOW it wouldn't take much time to pray for others, talking to God about how someone needs His help is ALWAYS better than talking it to other people about what so and so is going through.:) If we figured out how much time we spend on the computer, reading fiction books or doing countless other time-draining activities, how much extra time would we have to be a servant for others?

As I write this, it has me thinking. What things ought I to do different? How should I reach out to those around me? I know it's not always easy, but in the end, wouldn't finding out how much we've helped someone be worth a few minutes of our facebook time? Just a little something to think about.:)

Blessings,
Kristin:)