Can I Be of Service? How? (#BestOf)
Posted on March 14, 2016 by chaplaineliza
(the Best of) A Year of Being Kind, Sunday, March 13, 2016
This #BestOf blog post reminds me of how much I enjoyed being kind, and doing daily acts of service in 2014. Just having that orientation, each day for a year, provided me with a wonderful store of memories. And—this particular post reminds me of my friend Sarah, who now has an even more successful florist’s business here in Evanston. (And not just flowers, but much more!) I want to be of service to others. Lord, You know how much. Send me more opportunities, please.
Can I Be of Service? How?
Posted on March 14, 2014 by chaplaineliza
A Year of Being Kind blog – Thursday, March 13, 2014
Can I Be of Service? How?
Can I be of service today? I did not have that intentional thought today, it is true. However, in retrospect, I found I did perform some service. Several times!
I worked today. I was of service there. I ran some errands, so I was of service to my family and my husband. I went to the gym this morning—I even did some self-care, and was of service to myself! So, yes. I did perform some acts of service today, although they were not intentional. I mean, I did not pray specifically for God to send some brand-new opportunities for service into my life. The service just sort of happened. Just sort of was there. After thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that’s great, too!
In among the errands I did today, I stopped by my friend’s store to pick up several little items I asked her to get ready for my church’s fund-raiser. (a Bunco party! How retro is that?) My friend Sarah has the most visually appealing store I know of. Of course, she is a floral designer, and has just superb taste. (In case anyone would like to find her, her shop Four Finches is in the Chicago suburb of Evanston. http://fourfinches.com/ )
Sarah has the precious gift of making stunning arrangements, using flowers, plants and other visually appealing bits and pieces. She can also choose lovely gift items. Her store is, as I said, attractive and restful to the eye. So, Sarah took advantage of a service opportunity today! She provided several small but very appealing things that I am taking to the church as raffle gifts.
Now that I think more about it, I find I am seeing service opportunities in many places. Isn’t it funny how a prayer that I prayed a number of times could change how I look at things in such a fundamental way? I mean, seeing potential acts of service, love and caring is not the typical thing that comes to some people’s minds. And March is not even half over, yet.
This service-thing — I felt that God wanted me to embark on it for the year 2014. I tried to walk right into it with as few expectations as possible. All I knew was that I felt God wanted me to do it. Sort of. I didn’t really have a clear idea about that, either. I don’t want to appear grandiose or anything, but my embarking on A Year of Being Kind was just a little like Abram setting forth from Ur of the Chaldees. Abram didn’t know where he was going. And neither do I.
Now that I’ve started the Lenten journey to the Cross, I feel more like Abram than I did before. It’s one day at a time, for sure. God, I am sorry I did not intentionally pray for You to show me something today. But You showed up, nevertheless!
Gee, I wonder what God will send me tomorrow?
(Suggestion: visit me at my blog: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers– where I am doing a Lenten journey. #PursuePEACE. Thanks!)
(also published at ayearofbeingkind.wordpress.com . @chaplaineliza And read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er – Thanks!)
A Year of Being Kind 