Blogger Friend School

Assignment: This week I want you to do something for someone else. Do you have a neighbor that needs you? Do you know an elderly person or single mom that could use you? What about the homeless? Pack even one single sack lunch and give it to someone in need. Do you know someone in blog land that is struggling right now and could use a note from you about how much you care? Pray about this. Let God put on your heart the perfect thing for you to do for another. Now, here is the kicker…I DO NOT want you to post about what you do. Whatever you choose to do is between you and God. Our rewards are in heaven, not here on earth, Mathew 6:1. I want you to post about how doing this “act” made you feel. Was stepping out of your comfort zone in this area as hard as you thought it might be? Could you see the gratefulness in their eyes? Hear it in their voice? Tell it from their typing? Do you think you might make doing things like this a more regular part of your time? If this is an area that you are already active in, tell us how you feel this has impacted your life.

I have a neighbor that I help out quite a bit. At first, I wasn't sure what neighbors were supposed to do for each other. My family lived on military bases for most of my childhood, and most of the time, we didn't see our neighbors. If we did, it was usually just a 'hi, how are you' kind of thing.

So when my neighbor moved in and we got to know each other, I did the normal thing and said 'let me know if you need anything'. No one had ever called me on it, so I didn't think much of it. Then one day she did, and I was nervous. What are the rules to this? Do I help her once, or continue to? I didn't know. She was so thankful that she hugged me and said thank you about 10 times.

To be honest, I can't remember how I got over the nervousness, but after 2 years, we are very good friends now. And now, we help each other. It's like we are sisters who help each other out, not because we have to, but because it's what we do. It just comes naturally now. In short, taking that first step to help my neighbor has created a life long friendship.

A favorite verse of mine:

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13

I do not have a picture of my hands, but I have a picture of my sons. We have taught him to help others, and give what he can. He sees what my husband and I do for our neighbors, friends, and family, and has learned to help others as well. This summer he helped pick tomato's to give to our neighbor.