VOLUNTEERING #3

 Volunteering #3

(Volunteering is almost a term for ‘service’ to the community.  As I was writing about volunteering, I remembered the following verses from the Biblical book of James - chapter 2)

Faith without Good Deeds Is Dead

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?  Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing,  and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.  How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

*****

Or this:  Galatians 6:9

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

*****

It can be hard to volunteer - day-after-day.  I think of RP - on the winter campouts with the Boy Scouts - giving up weekends for such activities, scheduling your vacation time so you can go with your troop to Scout Camp.  

There are some things I like to do (actually LOVE to do).  And, there are things that I do because they need to be done and I don’t mind them, but there are also things I don’t really like to do and would prefer not to do.  (And, Ron, camping in a tent in January for the Klondike Derby is on my prefer not-to-do list.)

I’m sure if I wanted to volunteer, there would be plenty of opportunities!!!  My parents volunteered at a hospital in their senior years and took cards, flowers, and notes to the patients. This was a value to the hospital and they gave them lunch and had an annual party with prizes.

 I’ve visited shut-ins and was able to sit and brighten their day (and I liked that).  

And, a note to those who work with volunteers - LOVE THEM, THANK THEM!!!  

I’m not sure if writing my blog is a form of volunteering - most days I love it!!!  (And some days, I get behind and have to rush a little).  I’m trying to get ahead a few days to spend Saturday with a friend and Monday consulting with a doctor.  And, maybe get some time to relax.  (Most of my friends know that the 1:30 to 2:00 time period is my afternoon nap time - almost ‘sacred’ time for me!!)  My other “sacred times” are my exercise time, my morning “quiet time”, and my Sunday morning worship time!!)

As I finish this series on volunteering (at least for a while), take some time to reflect on what you might want to do (and what you might NOT want to do!!).  I know at times, I have been overwhelmed with my volunteering (and especially my tuba playing).  There were weeks in Connecticut that I played tuba six nights a week!!  My wife got to be a ‘tuba-widow’!!!

Tomorrow will be LOVE WINS Friday, then a Saturday Story, and Sunday Funday.  

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

LOVE WINS!!

HUGS!!!

Karen