Go. Serve.

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." -Muhammad Ali

For the past several years, I have been an integral part of the "Feed Our Kids" ministry at our church.  For one week out of every summer, a team of volunteers prepares and serves approximately 3,000 lunches to children in need.  The entire operation takes tremendous manpower from planning the meals, buying the supplies, preparing the lunches and delivering them to multiple sites in our community.  At each site, children receive a yummy lunch, have the opportunity to make crafts/read books and play games with church volunteers.  For over six years, I have served as the site coordinator for one of our largest communities.  Each day of the week, a team of adult and youth volunteers serve between 150-200 lunches to an amazing group of people.  Year after year, this emerges as one of my family's favorite weeks of the summer.  In a season of Texas record-setting heat, I constantly ask myself how can this week be the "favorite week?"  In an age when teenagers savor time on their phones, sleeping in and chilling indoors, these teenagers rise early, work hard and never complain!  These are the truths I have come to know....

Every day is better when it begins with a hug.  When you arrive at our church each day, ready to work, you are embraced by someone.  Our church volunteers don't give small hugs.  They give bear hugs.  Now, more than ever, all of us need hugs.

Being part of a team is soul-strengthening.  Whether you are placing a napkin in a paper bag, building a ham/cheese sandwich or filling a water cooler, you are part of a team.  Your work is purposeful, and your soul rejoices.

We were meant to live in community with one another.  Despite all of the advancements in modern technology, we remain more disconnected and isolated from one another than ever before.  Gathering as a community feels good.  Laughing, celebrating and lifting one another up feels even better!

Serving others changes one's perspective in a meaningful way.  Giving to others transitions the focus from your own problems to thinking of others' needs first.  In the time I have served as a site coordinator, I have faced many battles/crises "behind the scenes."  Caring for others has allowed me to view my own problems through a more healthy, realistic lens.

When you place yourself in a servant's role, expect to be blessed beyond measure.  Half-way through my week of service, one of the beautiful mommas at our site grabbed my hands, held them tightly and said, "May your family be blessed by God in the same ways my family has been blessed by you."  More touching than her words was our tearful embrace that followed.  It was an embrace of gratitude, love, happiness and peace.  In that beautiful moment, God's radiant light shined brighter than her darkest circumstances.  We all walked away blessed.  Thank you, Jesus.

Every day of our lives, we have a choice regarding how we spend our time.  The possibilities, demands and responsibilities can overwhelm our souls.  Make a choice to go into your community.  Serve others as the hands and feet of Jesus.  Expect to be blessed.  Amen.